Everyone Are Encouraged to Be the Extra Haim Bandmate.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" a message reads. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
There is only one problem: The author likewise wants to be Haim's newest recruit. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. Multiple celebrated fans have publicly coveted the position.
It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey performing shows at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy Award contenders.
Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a tight-knit trio. Their music videos often feature them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the ultimate compliment. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to form a group."
"Therefore all is invited to be the next member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The trio are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in consideration for the award.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major achievement," says Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The project was born from a period of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that odd transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The themes track departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them working out in the moment who they want to be.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to consciously practice blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Style
That developed resilience demanded a new sound – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The band's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Path
One can easily sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their place in the music world.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an global following.
Yet Haim will always be their primary priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It's like no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."