The World is Invited to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Member.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" a message pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their extra sister."
However, there remains a single issue: I also wants to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. Several celebrated admirers have also petitioned for the role.
One thing is obvious something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award hopefuls.
In the tradition of the greatest ensembles, they're a tight-knit trio. Their visuals frequently show them striding in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a drum kit'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That is the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate people to start a band."
"Therefore everyone is invited to be the honorary part of the family."
Historic Milestone
The trio are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first female band ever in the running for the award.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience 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 dreaming'?"
The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge step," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The project emerged from a period of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The lyrics follow breakups 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 description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound resilience required a different sonic direction – more raw and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Laughter
The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Legacy
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their place in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an international audience.
But the sister act will always be their top commitment.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still going strong."