All Fans is Welcome to Be the Extra Haim Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with Haim?" an inquiry arrives. "My request was to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
There is only a single issue: I also wants to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're not alone. Multiple famous fans have also begged for the honor.
It's clear something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award nominees.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit gang. Their videos frequently depict them striding in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such boundless happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'After your show, I bought a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire others to start a band."
"So all gets an invitation to be the honorary Haim sister."
Award Recognition
The band are speaking from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their latest 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 consideration for the award.
"I follow the lists every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The album came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The lyrics detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they want to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to consciously practice ignoring the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Music
That developed toughness called for a new sound – more unpolished and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The trio's honesty inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their personal misadventures.
A former partner 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 high five at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Future
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their position in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide fan base.
However the sister act will forever be their top priority.
"We have been making music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."