All Fans Are Welcome to Become the Extra Haim Sister.
"Any idea when you're interviewing the band?" a text pops up. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only a key snag: The sender also desires to be the Haims' fourth member. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Several famous supporters have openly coveted the honor.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey performing shows at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the best groups, they're a inseparable trio. Their music videos frequently show them walking in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I got a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the biggest honour. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to start a band."
"And thus all gets an invitation to be the fourth part of the family."
Award Milestone
The band have called into a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys β with Haim the very first female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the nomination resonates with the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."
Heartbreak and Humour
The record was born from a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The lyrics track endings and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they want to be.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to consciously practice blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Style
That developed confidence required a fresh approach β more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Shared Humor
The band's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their personal horror stories.
Someone left Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide fan base.
But the sister act will consistently be their primary focus.
"We have been making music since I was four," says Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still making music."
