All Fans is Welcome to Join as the Additional Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're speaking to the band?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only a single issue: The sender also longs to be Haim's fourth member. And we're far from alone. Multiple celebrated admirers have also petitioned for the role.
The evidence suggests something is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their visuals repeatedly depict them walking in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans told us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate others to start a band."
"And thus all are welcome to be the fourth part of the family."
Historic Nod
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the accolade isn't lost on the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the women that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record was born from a time of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The themes follow breakups and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they are becoming.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," says 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 Sound
That developed confidence called for a fresh approach – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie
The band's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their personal horror stories.
A former partner left Este over a health concern. Alana shared 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 no hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an global audience.
However Haim will forever be their primary priority.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still kicking."