Everyone Are Welcome to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're chatting with the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "My request was to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
However, there remains a key snag: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are not alone. A host of famous supporters have publicly coveted the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy hopefuls.
Similar to the best groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their videos repeatedly show them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered exuberance you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire people to start a band."
"So anyone is invited to be the honorary part of the family."
Grammy Milestone
The trio have called into home, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the honor isn't lost on the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "But we're just thankful for the women that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The album was born from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The words detail breakups and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in blocking the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That developed toughness called for a fresh approach – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the drum sound.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Laughter
The band's candor inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their personal tales.
Someone left Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Path
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international following.
However Haim will consistently be their primary commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still making music."