The World is Invited to Be the Additional Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're speaking to Haim?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There's just one problem: The sender also wants to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Several celebrated admirers have also petitioned for the honor.
The evidence suggests a special quality is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path performing shows at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy nominees.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a inseparable trio. Their videos often feature them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such boundless exuberance you inevitably think, "I want to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the ultimate compliment. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire others to make music."
"So everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary Haim sister."
Historic Nod
The band are connecting from their homes, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the nomination isn't lost on the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Candor
The project came out of a time of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The lyrics follow endings and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they want to be.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to make an effort in shutting out the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent resilience required a new sound – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
A former partner broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Legacy
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide following.
But the band will consistently be their number one commitment.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was four," concludes 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 kicking."