Everyone is Encouraged to Be the Fourth Haim Member.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the band?" an inquiry reads. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There is only one problem: I also longs to be Haim's fourth member. And we're in plentiful company. Several famous fans have also coveted the honor.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the best groups, they're a close trio. Their visuals frequently show them marching in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the biggest honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to make music."
"Therefore anyone are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The band have called into home, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in contention for the award.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the nomination is deeply felt by the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The project came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The words detail departures and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they are becoming.
"I adore description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to make an effort in blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent resilience required a fresh approach – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Shared Camaraderie
The band's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their dating horror stories.
A former partner ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an international following.
However the band will consistently be their number one commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was a young child," says Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."