All Fans Are Encouraged to Become the Additional Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their fourth member."
However, there remains a key snag: The sender also wants to be Haim's fourth member. And we're not alone. Several high-profile fans have publicly begged for the honor.
It's clear something is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their career performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Now they're multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their music videos often depict them marching in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans told us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "It is the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire people to make music."
"And thus all gets an invitation to be the next part of the family."
Award Nod
The trio have called into home, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the honor is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the women that came before us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The project emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The words track endings and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they are becoming.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to consciously practice blocking the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That recent confidence called for a fresh approach – more unpolished and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The band's honesty fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their romantic tales.
One man broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana shared a story of flying 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 only darkness," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Future
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an worldwide audience.
But Haim will always be their number one focus.
"We have been performing since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."