The World is Welcome to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Sister.

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

"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a message reads. "My request was to ask if I can become their fourth member."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise desires to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're not alone. A host of celebrated admirers have openly petitioned for the role.

One thing is obvious something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their path playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award contenders.

Like all the best groups, they're a inseparable trio. Their visuals often show them walking in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to start a band."

"And thus everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary member of Haim."

Haim performing at a large festival
The band's live shows have propelled them rise to the top of festival bills across the world.

Award Recognition

The group are connecting from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in for their latest album, I Quit.

They're currently processing the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the award.

"I follow the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"

The importance of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.

"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant step," continues Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the pioneers that inspired us."

Emotional Upheaval and Laughter

The project was born from a phase of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that odd liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The themes track departures and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in real time who they aspire 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, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Haim album covers and career milestones
The band claimed victory in a prestigious new artist poll in 2013, and have since then secured four top 10 albums.

Refinement of Sound

That developed toughness demanded a fresh approach – more unpolished and direct than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing 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 biography," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Haim in the studio working on music
I Quit hones the band's characteristic style, mixing organic instrumentation with hip-hop adjacent beats and hooky pop tunes.

Stories and Shared Camaraderie

The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their personal tales.

One man broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."

Haim on stage during their recent tour
The group recently wrapped up a lengthy tour, but state they aim to hit the road in the future.

An Assured Path

One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their position in the music world.

They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide audience.

Yet the sister act will forever be their primary priority.

"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still going strong."

Andrew Gonzalez
Andrew Gonzalez

Marco is a travel writer and photographer passionate about uncovering Italy's lesser-known stories and destinations.