The World is Invited to Become the Additional Haim Sister.
"When are you chatting with the Haim sisters?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are not alone. A host of famous admirers have publicly coveted the position.
The evidence suggests a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award contenders.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit trio. Their music videos repeatedly feature them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest honour. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage young girls to form a group."
"So everyone is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."
Grammy Nod
The group are connecting from their homes, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The record came out of a period of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The words detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in real life who they want to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound resilience demanded a new sound – more raw and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our biography," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's candor shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
Someone left Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Future
One can easily sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an worldwide following.
But the band will always be their top focus.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was a young child," shares Alana. "There is no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still making music."
