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"When are you interviewing Haim?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."

There is only one problem: The sender also longs to be the Haims' fourth member. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of high-profile fans have also begged for the honor.

The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy contenders.

In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close trio. Their music videos repeatedly depict them striding in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be involved in that, too."

"How often on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the ultimate honour. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to form a group."

"So everyone gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."

Grammy Recognition

The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in for their new album, I Quit.

They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in the running for the award.

"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"

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

"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."

Heartbreak and Candor

The album emerged from a phase of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that unique transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.

The words follow departures and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they aspire to be.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to actively work on ignoring the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Evolution of Music

That newfound resilience required a new sound – more raw and powerful than anything the band had done before.

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

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie

The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic misadventures.

One man left Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Legacy

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

They're major draws, with successful albums and an worldwide following.

But Haim will always be their number one priority.

"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was four," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still kicking."