All Fans is Invited to Be the Additional Haim Sisters Sister.
"Any idea when you're interviewing the Haim sisters?" a message reads. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
There is only a single issue: The sender also desires to be Haim's fourth member. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. Multiple famous fans have also coveted the position.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy contenders.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a tight-knit unit. Their visuals often feature them striding in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest honor. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to form a group."
"So anyone are welcome to be the fourth Haim sister."
Historic Recognition
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I watch the lists every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just grateful for the female artists that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The record emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The lyrics detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they want to be.
"I love summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to consciously practice shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That recent resilience required a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drums.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Humor
The band's honesty inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal tales.
A former partner broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Future
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their position in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide following.
Yet Haim will always be their number one commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."