The World is Invited to Be the Additional Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're chatting with the Haim sisters?" an inquiry arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There's just one problem: I also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're not alone. Several famous fans have also begged for the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their path doing sets at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy contenders.
Like all the most iconic groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos repeatedly show them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "It is the greatest honor. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to start a band."
"So everyone are welcome to be the honorary part of the family."
Award Recognition
The trio are speaking from home, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the nomination resonates with the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just thankful for the pioneers that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The album emerged from a phase of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that odd liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The themes detail departures and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent resilience demanded a new sound – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drums.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Laughter
The band's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
A former partner broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana told a story of flying to celebrate 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 hope," explains Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Future
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an global audience.
However the sister act will forever be their top priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "There is nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still making music."