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"Any idea when you're chatting with the band?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can be their extra sister."

There is only one problem: The sender also longs to be Haim's fourth member. Furthermore, we are not alone. Several famous fans have also petitioned for the position.

One thing is obvious a special quality is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey performing shows at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award nominees.

In the tradition of the greatest ensembles, they're a close unit. Their videos often feature them marching in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure happiness you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be part of that, too."

"How often on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest honor. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to start a band."

"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."

Historic Milestone

The trio are speaking from home, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in support of their new album, I Quit.

They're right now processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the prize.

"I follow the announcements every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I imagining things'?"

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

"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major step," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that came before us."

Personal Turmoil and Humour

The album emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.

The lyrics track breakups and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them working out in real time who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to make an effort in ignoring the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Music

That developed toughness called for a different sonic direction – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.

"Percussion 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 perfect drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie

The trio's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their personal tales.

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

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."

A Secure Future

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

They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an international audience.

But Haim will always be their number one commitment.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."