Everyone is Welcome to Join as the Extra Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the band?" an inquiry arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There's just one problem: The sender also longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile fans have also petitioned for the position.
The evidence suggests a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy hopefuls.
Like all the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their visuals often show them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I want to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the biggest honour. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to make music."
"So anyone is invited to be the fourth Haim sister."
Grammy Milestone
The group are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the accolade resonates with the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant milestone," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The record came out of a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The words track departures and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they want to be.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Style
That newfound resilience called for a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the percussion.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Collective Humor
The trio's openness fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their romantic horror stories.
One man left Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Legacy
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an global fan base.
But the band will forever be their top focus.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."