All Fans is Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Sister.
"Any idea when you're speaking to the band?" an inquiry pops up. "My request was to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple celebrated fans have publicly petitioned for the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their path performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award nominees.
In the tradition of the most iconic groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their videos often show them walking in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the biggest honour. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage others to make music."
"So everyone is invited to be the next Haim sister."
Grammy Nod
The band have called into their homes, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the nomination resonates with the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge step," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The album came out of a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The lyrics track departures and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them working out in the moment who they want to be.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That newfound confidence called for a fresh approach – more unpolished and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The band's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.
Someone left Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Future
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an worldwide following.
However the band will consistently be their primary commitment.
"We have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "It's like no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still going strong."
