All Fans is Invited to Be the Fourth Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're interviewing the band?" a message pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just a single issue: The sender also desires to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. A host of celebrated supporters have publicly begged for the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy nominees.
Like all the greatest groups, they're a close trio. Their music videos repeatedly show them walking in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a drum kit'," says Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "It is the ultimate compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to start a band."
"Therefore anyone are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Grammy Nod
The trio are connecting from home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I watch the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the honor isn't lost on the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major achievement," adds Alana. "However we're just grateful for the female artists that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The project emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to let go.
The themes detail endings and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to actively work on ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That developed toughness demanded a different sonic direction – more unpolished and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The band's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating tales.
Someone ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Legacy
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an global audience.
However the band will always be their primary commitment.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still going strong."