Everyone is Welcome to Become the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're chatting with the band?" an inquiry reads. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
There's just one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're far from alone. A host of high-profile supporters have openly coveted the position.
It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.
In the tradition of the best bands, they're a tight-knit gang. Their visuals repeatedly show them walking in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate people to make music."
"And thus everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary part of the family."
Award Milestone
The band are connecting from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the nomination isn't lost on the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that came before us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The project was born from a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to let go.
The words track endings and partings. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real time who they want to be.
"I love summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent confidence demanded a new sound – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's candor shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their dating misadventures.
Someone left Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide following.
But the band will always be their number one priority.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was a young child," 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."