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"When are you chatting with the Haim sisters?" an inquiry arrives. "My request was to ask if I can be their extra sister."

There is only a single issue: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' fourth member. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of celebrated admirers have publicly coveted the honor.

It's clear an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Today, they are multiple Grammy hopefuls.

Similar to the best bands, they're a close gang. Their music videos frequently depict them striding in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such boundless exuberance you inevitably think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate honor. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to make music."

"So anyone is invited to be the fourth part of the family."

Grammy Milestone

The group are connecting from a break, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.

They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in the running for the award.

"I watch the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the accolade resonates with the sisters.

"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge step," says Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that paved the way."

Personal Turmoil and Candor

The album came out of a period of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.

The words detail departures and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they are becoming.

"I adore way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to make an effort in ignoring the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Evolution of Music

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

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drum sound.

"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.

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

Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie

The band's openness inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating misadventures.

Someone broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana shared a story of flying 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 hope," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."

An Assured Future

You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their standing in the music world.

They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an international audience.

However Haim will always be their number one commitment.

"We have been playing music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."