All Fans is Welcome to Be the Extra Haim Sisters Sister.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a text arrives. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."
However, there remains one problem: The sender also desires to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile admirers have also begged for the honor.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos repeatedly feature them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire people to make music."
"So anyone is invited to be the honorary member of Haim."
Historic Milestone
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in consideration for the award.
"I follow the lists every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," says 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 sisters.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that came before us."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The project emerged from a phase of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The themes detail departures and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them working out in real time who they are becoming.
"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That newfound toughness required a new sound – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Camaraderie
The band's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their personal tales.
One man broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled 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 hope," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Legacy
One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their place in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an worldwide fan base.
However the sister act will forever be their number one commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," shares Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."