The World Are Invited to Join as the Additional Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"When are you speaking to Haim?" a message arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise wants to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're in plentiful company. A host of celebrated supporters have also begged for the role.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the best bands, they're a close trio. Their videos often depict them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the greatest honour. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to make music."
"Therefore all gets an invitation to be the fourth part of the family."
Historic Milestone
The trio are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in the running for the award.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I had to call 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 rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that came before us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The record was born from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that unique liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The words detail departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they want to be.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in blocking the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That newfound confidence required a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The band's honesty shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their personal tales.
One man ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their place in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an international following.
But the band will always be their primary commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was four," shares Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still kicking."
