The World is Encouraged to Join as the Additional Haim Member.

The Haim sisters performing together
The Sister Trio: "Playing music together is where our heart and soul will always reside."

"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the Haim sisters?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."

There is only one problem: The sender also desires to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile admirers have openly petitioned for the position.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their career performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy hopefuls.

Similar to the best bands, they're a close gang. Their videos repeatedly feature them marching in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."

"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate honor. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to make music."

"So anyone are welcome to be the fourth part of the family."

Haim performing at a large festival
The band's live shows have helped them become staples of major events across Europe.

Grammy Nod

The trio are connecting from a break, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.

They're right now processing the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the trophy.

"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"

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

"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge step," adds Alana. "However we're just thankful for the female artists that paved the way."

Personal Turmoil and Humour

The album was born from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves 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 departures and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real life who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to consciously practice shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Haim album covers and career milestones
The band topped a major new artist poll in 2013, and have later achieved multiple top 10 albums.

Evolution of Sound

That recent confidence required a different sonic direction – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.

"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."

Haim in the studio working on music
I Quit refines Haim's signature sound, mixing acoustic rock with rhythmic beats and hooky pop melodies.

Anecdotes and Collective Humor

The band's openness fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic misadventures.

Someone ended things with Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."

Haim on stage during their recent tour
The group just finished a lengthy tour, but mention they aim to perform live in the future.

A Secure Future

One can easily sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.

They're major draws, with successful albums and an international audience.

Yet Haim will consistently be their primary priority.

"We have been performing since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still making music."

Sarah Williams
Sarah Williams

Digital culture analyst and PhD in Media Studies, exploring the intersection of technology and society.