The World Are Welcome to Become the Extra Haim Member.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" a message arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
However, there remains one problem: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' fourth member. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. Several celebrated admirers have publicly begged for the honor.
The evidence suggests a special quality is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the best groups, they're a tight-knit unit. Their music videos often depict them walking in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to form a group."
"Therefore everyone are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."
Grammy Recognition
The group have called into home, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the nomination isn't lost on the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major achievement," adds Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the female artists that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The record came out of a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The lyrics detail endings and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them working out in real life who they want to be.
"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Sound
That developed confidence required a fresh approach – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our biography," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The trio's candor inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
One man ended things with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their position in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an global audience.
But Haim will always be their number one focus.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was a young child," says Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still going strong."