Everyone Are Welcome to Become the Additional Haim Member.
"When are you chatting with Haim?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their fourth member."
There's just a key snag: The sender also wants to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're not alone. Multiple high-profile supporters have also coveted the honor.
One thing is obvious a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos repeatedly depict them walking in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That is the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate young girls to form a group."
"So everyone are welcome to be the next member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The trio have called into a break, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the accolade is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge achievement," adds Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the women that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Candor
The album emerged from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The themes track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they are becoming.
"I love description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That developed toughness required a new sound – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the percussion.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Laughter
The band's candor shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic misadventures.
One man ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling 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 hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Legacy
One can easily sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide audience.
Yet the sister act will forever be their primary commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."