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"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the band?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can be their extra sister."

However, there remains one problem: I also desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are in plentiful company. A host of high-profile fans have publicly begged for the position.

The evidence suggests something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their path performing shows at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy Award contenders.

In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close gang. Their videos frequently depict them walking in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such boundless happiness you can't help but think, "I want to be involved in that, too."

"How often on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the greatest compliment. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate young girls to start a band."

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

Historic Recognition

The trio are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in for their new album, I Quit.

They're right now reeling from the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the trophy.

"I tune into the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I dreaming'?"

The importance of the nomination resonates with the band.

"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the pioneers that came before us."

Emotional Upheaval and Humour

The record emerged from a period 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 lyrics follow breakups and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in the moment who they want to be.

"I adore way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on shutting out the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Music

That recent confidence required a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.

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

"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Camaraderie

The trio's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic misadventures.

Someone left Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Future

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

They're major draws, with hit albums and an worldwide fan base.

But the band will consistently be their number one focus.

"My sisters and I have been making music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."