The World Are Welcome to Be the Additional Haim Sisters Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to Haim?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
There is only a single issue: I also wants to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're in plentiful company. A host of high-profile supporters have publicly coveted the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award nominees.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their music videos frequently show them marching in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "It is the ultimate compliment. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to form a group."
"Therefore anyone are welcome to be the next part of the family."
Historic Milestone
The trio are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the honor is deeply felt by the trio.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," adds Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the women that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The album came out of a period of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The lyrics detail endings and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they are becoming.
"I love description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to consciously practice blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Music
That newfound resilience demanded a new sound – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Humor
The band's openness shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their personal misadventures.
One man left Este over a health concern. Alana shared a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an global following.
Yet the band will always be their primary commitment.
"We have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."