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"Do you know when you'll be speaking to Haim?" a message arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."

There is only one problem: The author likewise longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. A host of celebrated admirers have publicly petitioned for the position.

It's clear something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award nominees.

Like all the most iconic groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their music videos often depict them marching in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "It is the greatest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage people to start a band."

"And thus all is invited to be the next Haim sister."

Historic Nod

The group are connecting from a break, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.

They're presently processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first female band ever in the running for the award.

"I follow the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"

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

"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."

Emotional Upheaval and Candor

The album came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that unique in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The words track endings and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them determining in the moment who they aspire to be.

"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to actively work on blocking the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Evolution of Sound

That newfound toughness demanded a fresh approach – more raw and direct than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Laughter

The band's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal tales.

One man left Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

A Confident Path

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

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

But the band will forever be their primary focus.

"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."