Everyone is Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"When are you chatting with the Haim sisters?" an inquiry arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There's just a key snag: The sender also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're far from alone. Several famous admirers have openly begged for the honor.
It's clear a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path performing shows at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're repeated Grammy Award nominees.
Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a close trio. Their visuals often show them marching in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such unfettered joy you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that fans told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate honour. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to start a band."
"Therefore everyone is invited to be the fourth part of the family."
Historic Nod
The group have called into their homes, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the accolade isn't lost on the trio.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," adds Alana. "But we're just thankful for the women that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Humour
The project emerged from a phase of emotional upheaval. 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 move on.
The themes follow departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice blocking the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That recent toughness demanded a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drums.
"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'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 Collective Laughter
The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
One man left Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling 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 only darkness," explains Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an worldwide audience.
Yet Haim will always be their number one priority.
"We have been performing since I was four," says Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."
