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"When are you chatting with the band?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can be their extra sister."

There is only a key snag: The author likewise longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several famous admirers have publicly coveted the honor.

One thing is obvious something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their music videos repeatedly show them walking in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered exuberance you inevitably think, "I want to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the ultimate honor. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire young girls to start a band."

"So anyone are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."

Award Milestone

The group are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in for their latest album, I Quit.

They're presently reeling from the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in contention for the prize.

"I watch the announcements every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"

The weight of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.

"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the women that paved the way."

Personal Turmoil and Humour

The project came out of a time of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that odd transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The themes track departures and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they want to be.

"I adore description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Refinement of Music

That developed confidence called for a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.

"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.

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

Anecdotes and Shared Laughter

The trio's candor inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their personal misadventures.

A former partner ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

A Confident Path

One can easily sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their position in the rock pantheon.

They're major draws, with successful albums and an global fan base.

Yet the sister act will always be their top priority.

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