Everyone is Encouraged to Become the Extra Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
There's just a key snag: I also longs to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several famous fans have also begged for the position.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey performing shows at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're repeated Grammy Award contenders.
Similar to the most iconic groups, they're a inseparable unit. Their visuals often feature them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the biggest honor. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire young girls to start a band."
"Therefore all is invited to be the next part of the family."
Historic Nod
The band are connecting from a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the nomination resonates with the sisters.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The record emerged from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that odd liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The themes track endings and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real life who they aspire to be.
"I adore summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That newfound resilience required a new sound – more unpolished and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Humor
The band's honesty inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
One man ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling 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 no hope," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an international audience.
Yet the band will forever be their top focus.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," shares Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."