All Fans is Invited to Be the Extra Haim Sister.
"When are you speaking to Haim?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There is only one problem: The sender also wants to be the Haims' additional sibling. And we're far from alone. A host of famous admirers have openly coveted the role.
It's clear a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Today, they are multiple Grammy hopefuls.
In the tradition of the most iconic groups, they're a close unit. Their videos frequently depict them walking in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I want to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honour. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to form a group."
"And thus everyone are welcome to be the honorary part of the family."
Award Nod
The band are connecting from a break, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the nomination is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Candor
The project emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The themes track endings and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they want to be.
"I adore description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to make an effort in ignoring the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound confidence demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drum sound.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Humor
The trio's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their dating misadventures.
A former partner broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Legacy
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an global audience.
Yet the band will consistently be their primary commitment.
"We have been making music since I was little," says Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still going strong."