The World is Invited to Join as the Extra Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the Haim sisters?" an inquiry pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There's just one problem: The sender also wants to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile supporters have also begged for the position.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path playing gigs at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the best bands, they're a close trio. Their visuals often show them walking in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage others to make music."
"So anyone are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The band are speaking from a break, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the honor is deeply felt by the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," adds Alana. "However we're just grateful for the female artists that came before us."
Heartbreak and Humour
The project came out of a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The lyrics follow breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they want to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That recent toughness demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drum sound.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The trio's openness shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Path
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their position in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide fan base.
However Haim will always be their top commitment.
"We have been performing since I was four," says Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still making music."