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"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a text arrives. "My request was to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise wants to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of famous supporters have openly coveted the role.

It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their career doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy nominees.

Similar to the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit gang. Their videos frequently feature them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "It is the greatest honor. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to make music."

"And thus anyone gets an invitation to be the fourth Haim sister."

Historic Recognition

The group are speaking from home, where they're resting up after an major tour in for 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 female band ever in consideration for the award.

"I follow the announcements every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the nomination resonates with the band.

"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major milestone," continues Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the women that paved the way."

Personal Turmoil and Humour

The record emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that odd liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The themes track departures and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in real time who they aspire to be.

"I love summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Development of Style

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

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

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

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

Experiences and Shared Laughter

The trio's candor fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their dating tales.

A former partner broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," 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. Today, Haim are more certain of their standing in the rock pantheon.

They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an global following.

But the band will consistently be their primary focus.

"We have been performing since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still making music."