Everyone is Invited to Be the Extra Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to Haim?" a text pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their fourth member."
There's just a key snag: The sender also wants to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several celebrated admirers have also petitioned for the role.
It's clear a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy hopefuls.
Like all the most iconic groups, they're a tight-knit gang. Their videos frequently depict them marching in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such boundless exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'After your show, I got a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest compliment. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to start a band."
"So everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary Haim sister."
Award Milestone
The trio are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," adds Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record was born from a period of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The themes follow breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they want to be.
"I love summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to consciously practice shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Sound
That newfound confidence demanded a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the drum sound.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," quips Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Laughter
The trio's candor shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their personal horror stories.
A former partner ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
One can easily sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their position in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international fan base.
But the sister act will consistently be their number one commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," shares Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."
