The World is Encouraged to Be the Additional Haim Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to Haim?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
However, there remains a key snag: The sender also desires to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. Several famous fans have also coveted the position.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy nominees.
In the tradition of the best bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their visuals often depict them walking in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such boundless joy you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the biggest honor. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate people to make music."
"So all are welcome to be the honorary part of the family."
Award Milestone
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're resting up after an major tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the nomination is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The project came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to let go.
The themes detail departures and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to make an effort in blocking the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That developed confidence required a new sound – more raw and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," quips Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Humor
The band's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their personal horror stories.
One man ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Path
One can easily sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their position in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international fan base.
But the sister act will always be their top commitment.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," says Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still going strong."