Everyone Are Encouraged to Join as the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're speaking to Haim?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There's just one problem: I also longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. And we're not alone. A host of celebrated admirers have openly petitioned for the position.
The evidence suggests something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Now they're multiple Grammy Award nominees.
Similar to the greatest groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their videos frequently feature them walking in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the biggest honor. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to form a group."
"Therefore all are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."
Award Recognition
The group have called into home, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I watch the nominations every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The significance of the nomination resonates with the band.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The album came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that strange transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The themes detail endings and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them determining in the moment who they are becoming.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Style
That newfound confidence called for a different sonic direction – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
An Assured Path
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an worldwide audience.
Yet the sister act will consistently be their primary focus.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was four," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still kicking."