All Fans is Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: I also wants to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're far from alone. Multiple high-profile fans have openly petitioned for the honor.
One thing is obvious something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy Award nominees.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close gang. Their music videos frequently depict them marching in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such pure joy you can't help but think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the biggest compliment. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"Therefore anyone is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-female band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the accolade isn't lost on the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant step," continues Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the pioneers that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The project emerged from a period of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that strange liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The themes track breakups and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them determining in real life who they are becoming.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Music
That newfound resilience required a new sound – more unpolished and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the drums.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Humor
The trio's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic misadventures.
One man ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate 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 no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their place in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an international audience.
Yet Haim will forever be their primary focus.
"We have been making music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "There is nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."
