All Fans Are Encouraged to Be the Fourth Haim Member.
"When are you interviewing the band?" a text reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."
However, there remains a single issue: I also longs to be the Haims' fourth member. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of celebrated supporters have also coveted the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are multiple Grammy nominees.
Like all the best bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their videos frequently depict them marching in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure joy you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "It is the ultimate honour. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage others to start a band."
"So everyone gets an invitation to be the fourth Haim sister."
Grammy Nod
The band are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the accolade resonates with the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the female artists that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The lyrics track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.
"I adore description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That newfound resilience called for a fresh approach – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie
The band's openness inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their dating tales.
One man broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Legacy
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide audience.
Yet the sister act will forever be their top commitment.
"We have been performing since I was four," says Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still kicking."