Everyone is Welcome to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "My request was to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Multiple high-profile fans have publicly begged for the honor.
The evidence suggests a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy hopefuls.
Like all the most iconic groups, they're a close gang. Their videos frequently depict them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the ultimate honor. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to form a group."
"And thus all are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Grammy Recognition
The band have called into a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," notes Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the accolade resonates with the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant milestone," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The album emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The words track departures 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 summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to actively work on shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound resilience required a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing 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 subject of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The band's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their dating tales.
A former partner left Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Future
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an worldwide audience.
But the sister act will consistently be their primary commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was four," shares Alana. "It's like no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still kicking."