Everyone is Encouraged to Be the Fourth Haim Sister.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."
However, there remains a key snag: The sender also desires to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. A host of celebrated fans have openly begged for the role.
The evidence suggests a special quality is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are multiple Grammy contenders.
Like all the greatest bands, they're a close trio. Their music videos often feature them striding in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure joy you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the ultimate honor. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage people to form a group."
"Therefore anyone gets an invitation to be the fourth Haim sister."
Historic Milestone
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the honor resonates with the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Candor
The project was born from a period of emotional upheaval. 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 let go.
The themes follow endings and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.
"I love summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Style
That newfound confidence demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the drum sound.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," quips Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Humor
The trio's candor shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating tales.
One man left Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these heartbreaks, 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 therapeutic."
A Secure Legacy
One can easily sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an global following.
But the sister act will forever be their primary focus.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," says Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."
