All Fans is Encouraged to Become the Fourth Haim Sister.
"When are you speaking to the Haim sisters?" an inquiry reads. "My request was to ask if I can be their extra sister."
There is only one problem: I also wants to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're in plentiful company. Multiple celebrated admirers have publicly begged for the honor.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their music videos often depict them walking in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such unfettered joy you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "It is the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to make music."
"And thus all gets an invitation to be the fourth part of the family."
Award Nod
The trio have called into their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in contention for the prize.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record was born from a period of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.
The lyrics detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they aspire to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to actively work on shutting out the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That recent toughness called for a different sonic direction – more unpolished and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drums.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The band's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic horror stories.
One man left Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Future
One can easily sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international fan base.
However the band will consistently be their primary priority.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still making music."