The World is Encouraged to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing Haim?" a message reads. "My request was to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
However, there remains one problem: I also longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of high-profile admirers have openly begged for the position.
It's clear a special quality is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy contenders.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit gang. Their videos often depict them striding in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure happiness you inevitably think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a drum kit'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the biggest honour. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate others to form a group."
"Therefore everyone are welcome to be the next member of Haim."
Award Recognition
The band have called into a break, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the honor resonates with the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Candor
The record was born from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that strange liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.
The words follow endings and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them working out in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I adore summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in blocking the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That developed confidence required a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drums.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Laughter
The band's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating 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 high five at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an global audience.
But the sister act will forever be their number one commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still going strong."