All Fans is Welcome to Join as the Extra Haim Sister.
"When are you speaking to Haim?" an inquiry pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There's just a key snag: I also longs to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. A host of celebrated fans have also petitioned for the position.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy nominees.
Similar to the best groups, they're a inseparable unit. Their videos repeatedly depict them walking in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "It is the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate young girls to make music."
"And thus all gets an invitation to be the next member of Haim."
Grammy Nod
The group have called into their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the accolade resonates with the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant milestone," adds Alana. "But we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The record was born from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that odd liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The words detail endings and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Style
That developed resilience demanded a fresh approach – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's honesty shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their personal misadventures.
Someone left Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Future
One can easily sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an global fan base.
But Haim will always be their number one commitment.
"We have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still kicking."