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"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're in plentiful company. A host of famous admirers have also petitioned for the position.

The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award contenders.

Like all the greatest bands, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos repeatedly depict them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."

"How often on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That is the ultimate honour. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to start a band."

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

Award Nod

The group are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.

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

"I watch the lists every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the accolade resonates with the band.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major achievement," says Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."

Emotional Upheaval and Laughter

The project came out of a time of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.

The lyrics follow breakups and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they are becoming.

"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to actively work on shutting out the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Evolution of Style

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

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the percussion.

"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.

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

Stories and Collective Camaraderie

The band's openness fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their personal misadventures.

Someone ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's therapeutic."

An Assured Future

You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.

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

Yet Haim will forever be their top priority.

"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."