All Fans Are Welcome to Join as the Additional Haim Sister.
"Any idea when you're speaking to the Haim sisters?" an inquiry reads. "My request was to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There's just a key snag: I also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of celebrated fans have publicly coveted the role.
It's clear something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy contenders.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a close unit. Their music videos often show them marching in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That is the ultimate honor. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"So everyone gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."
Grammy Milestone
The band have called into their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I watch the lists every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant step," continues Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the women that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The record emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The lyrics track endings and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in real time who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to consciously practice shutting out the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Style
That developed toughness demanded a fresh approach – more raw and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the drums.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The trio's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic tales.
Someone ended things with Este over a medical 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 light," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Future
You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their standing in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide following.
However Haim will forever be their number one focus.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."