All Fans is Invited to Join as the Additional Haim Sisters Sister.

The Haim sisters performing together
Haim: "Playing music together is where our true purpose will always reside."

"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the band?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."

There's just one problem: I also longs to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are not alone. Multiple famous fans have also coveted the honor.

One thing is obvious something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path playing gigs at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy nominees.

Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their music videos repeatedly depict them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such boundless joy you can't help but think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honour. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to start a band."

"And thus all gets an invitation to be the fourth part of the family."

Haim performing at a large festival
The trio's gigs have helped them ascend to headliner status of festival bills across the world.

Award Recognition

The band are speaking from home, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.

They're currently processing the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in consideration for the award.

"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"

The significance of the accolade isn't lost on the trio.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant step," says Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the women that paved the way."

Emotional Upheaval and Candor

The project came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.

The themes detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Haim album covers and career milestones
The band topped a prestigious breakthrough poll in 2013, and have since then achieved four top 10 albums.

Refinement of Music

That developed resilience required a fresh approach – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the percussion.

"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."

Haim in the studio working on music
I Quit refines Haim's trademark blend, combining guitar-driven rock with contemporary rhythms and catchy pop tunes.

Stories and Shared Laughter

The trio's candor fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.

Someone ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of flying 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 light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

Haim on stage during their recent tour
The band concluded a six-month tour, but mention they plan to tour again in the future.

A Secure Legacy

It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their position in the rock pantheon.

They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide following.

However the band will forever be their top commitment.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was little," concludes Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."

Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith

Elena Voss is a city culture writer and urban explorer who uncovers the hidden gems of metropolitan life.