The World is Welcome to Become the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their fourth member."
There is only a single issue: The sender also desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple celebrated admirers have publicly petitioned for the position.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy Award contenders.
Similar to the most iconic groups, they're a close unit. Their videos often feature them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the ultimate honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate others to make music."
"Therefore anyone is invited to be the next Haim sister."
Award Nod
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in the running for the award.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The significance of the nomination resonates with the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The project emerged from a period of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The lyrics follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That developed toughness required a fresh approach – more unpolished and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started 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 title of our biography," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Laughter
The trio's candor fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their romantic misadventures.
A former partner ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide following.
But the sister act will consistently be their number one commitment.
"We have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still making music."