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"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" an inquiry pops up. "My request was to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise wants to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. A host of famous supporters have also coveted the honor.

The evidence suggests a special quality is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best bands, they're a close trio. Their visuals often feature them marching in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."

"How often on tour that fans told us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a guitar'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to form a group."

"So everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary part of the family."

Historic Recognition

The group have called into their homes, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.

They're currently reeling from the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in contention for the prize.

"I tune into the lists every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"

The significance of the honor is deeply felt by the sisters.

"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major milestone," adds Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."

Emotional Upheaval and Humour

The record was born from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that strange in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.

The themes track departures and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real life who they want to be.

"I adore description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Evolution of Music

That newfound confidence called for a new sound – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Camaraderie

The trio's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic misadventures.

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

"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."

An Assured Legacy

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their position in the industry.

They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an global fan base.

However the sister act will consistently be their top commitment.

"We have been performing since I was four," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still making music."