Everyone is Welcome to Be the Extra Haim Sisters Sister.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
However, there remains a single issue: The sender also desires to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're not alone. A host of celebrated admirers have also coveted the honor.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy contenders.
Similar to the greatest ensembles, they're a close gang. Their videos often depict them marching in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure happiness you inevitably think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a drum kit'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the biggest honour. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire people to form a group."
"And thus all are welcome to be the honorary part of the family."
Award Milestone
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the honor resonates with the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The album came out of a period of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The words detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to actively work on blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Sound
That developed resilience required a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the percussion.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Collective Humor
The band's honesty fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their dating horror stories.
A former partner left Este over a medical concern. 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 only darkness," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Future
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their place in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an global audience.
Yet Haim will consistently be their primary priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still going strong."