All Fans Are Invited to Join as the Additional Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" an inquiry arrives. "My request was to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There's just a single issue: The sender also longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're far from alone. Several famous supporters have openly begged for the honor.
The evidence suggests a special quality is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are multiple Grammy hopefuls.
Like all the greatest bands, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos repeatedly show them striding in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to make music."
"And thus anyone are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the award.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the honor is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the female artists that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The album emerged from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The words follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.
"I love summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to make an effort in blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Music
That developed resilience called for a fresh approach – more raw and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Camaraderie
The band's openness fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their personal misadventures.
A former partner broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the music world.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an international fan base.
But the band will consistently be their primary focus.
"We have been performing since I was a young child," shares 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 making music."
