All Fans Are Invited to Join as the Extra Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're interviewing the band?" a text arrives. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There's just a key snag: The sender also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. Several famous fans have also begged for the honor.
It's clear a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy contenders.
Similar to the most iconic groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their visuals often depict them striding in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "It is the ultimate compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to form a group."
"So anyone are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Award Recognition
The band are speaking from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the honor is deeply felt by the band.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The project emerged from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.
The themes detail departures and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to actively work on ignoring the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That developed confidence required a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Laughter
The trio's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.
Someone left Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an worldwide audience.
However the band will consistently be their top commitment.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."
