All Fans is Encouraged to Become the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"When are you chatting with the band?" a message reads. "My request was to ask if I can be their extra sister."
There is only a key snag: The sender also wants to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are not alone. Several high-profile fans have also petitioned for the position.
One thing is obvious a special quality is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career performing shows at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy hopefuls.
In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a close trio. Their videos frequently depict them walking in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such unfettered exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire people to start a band."
"And thus all is invited to be the fourth part of the family."
Historic Nod
The group are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The significance of the accolade resonates with the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," says Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the female artists that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Candor
The record came out of a period of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The themes detail breakups and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in the moment who they want to be.
"I adore description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Style
That developed toughness demanded a fresh approach – more unpolished and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Camaraderie
The band's candor fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal tales.
One man left Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an global following.
Yet the sister act will consistently be their number one priority.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was four," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."
