All Fans Are Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing Haim?" an inquiry reads. "I wanted to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There is only a key snag: I also desires to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several famous admirers have also coveted the position.
It's clear something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey performing shows at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy Award nominees.
Like all the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit unit. Their music videos frequently feature them marching in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such unfettered exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the greatest honor. That is recognition 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 member of Haim."
Grammy Recognition
The band are connecting from home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the female artists that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The album emerged from a period of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The lyrics track departures and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in the moment who they want to be.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That developed toughness demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Laughter
The trio's openness shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic tales.
A former partner ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Legacy
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their position in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an international fan base.
Yet Haim will always be their number one priority.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," says Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."