Everyone is Encouraged to Become the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to Haim?" a text arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
However, there remains a key snag: The author likewise longs to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are not alone. Multiple celebrated supporters have openly begged for the role.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their career performing shows at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award nominees.
Like all the best bands, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos repeatedly feature them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a bass'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the ultimate honor. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to start a band."
"So everyone gets an invitation to be the next member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The trio have called into their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards β with Haim the very first female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the honor is deeply felt by the trio.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The album was born from a phase of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The lyrics track endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in the moment who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to actively work on ignoring the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That developed resilience called for a fresh approach β more raw and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the percussion.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Laughter
The band's candor shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
One man ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their position in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an international fan base.
But the sister act will always be their top commitment.
"We have been making music since I was four," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."