Everyone is Welcome to Become the Additional Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're speaking to Haim?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their fourth member."
However, there remains a single issue: I also longs to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. Several celebrated fans have publicly coveted the position.
The evidence suggests something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a close trio. Their videos frequently show them striding in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate others to start a band."
"So anyone are welcome to be the next member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The band are speaking from their homes, where they're resting up after an major tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I watch the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show 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 weight of the accolade resonates with the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the female artists that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The record emerged from a time of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that odd liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The themes track breakups and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them determining in the moment who they are becoming.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to consciously practice shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That developed toughness required a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Percussion 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 biography," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Humor
The trio's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their dating misadventures.
A former partner left Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"When you're going through these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Future
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an international audience.
But Haim will forever be their number one focus.
"We have been performing since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."