The World is Encouraged to Be the Additional Haim Sisters Sister.
"When are you chatting with Haim?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There's just a single issue: The sender also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of high-profile admirers have publicly begged for the role.
The evidence suggests something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable gang. Their music videos frequently feature them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate honor. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire people to start a band."
"Therefore all are welcome to be the next member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The trio are speaking from home, where they're resting up after an major tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been nominated 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 lists every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the accolade is deeply felt by the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major step," adds Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project came out of a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The themes follow departures and partings. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.
"I adore description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to make an effort in shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That newfound resilience called for a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The band's openness fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their dating tales.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate 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," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their position in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide fan base.
But the band will consistently be their primary priority.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still making music."