Everyone is Encouraged to Join as the Additional Haim Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing the band?" an inquiry pops up. "My request was to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just a key snag: The sender also desires to be the Haims' additional sibling. And we're not alone. Several famous fans have openly coveted the role.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their career doing sets at small eateries with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the most iconic bands, they're a close gang. Their visuals frequently feature them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such unfettered happiness you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest honour. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to form a group."
"So all are welcome to be the next Haim sister."
Historic Recognition
The group are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the accolade resonates with the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant step," continues Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The album came out of a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The lyrics track breakups and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them working out in the moment who they are becoming.
"I adore description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That developed confidence required a new sound – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Laughter
The trio's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic horror stories.
One man ended things with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their position in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an worldwide audience.
Yet Haim will forever be their primary focus.
"We have been making music since I was four," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still making music."