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"Any idea when you're chatting with the Haim sisters?" a message arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."

There is only a single issue: The sender also wants to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're in plentiful company. A host of celebrated admirers have openly petitioned for the position.

The evidence suggests a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy Award contenders.

Like all the most iconic bands, they're a inseparable unit. Their music videos often feature them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," states Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the greatest honour. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to make music."

"And thus anyone are welcome to be the next part of the family."

Historic Recognition

The band have called into their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.

They're currently processing the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in consideration for the trophy.

"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I dreaming'?"

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

"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge step," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the female artists that paved the way."

Heartbreak and Humour

The project was born from a phase of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.

The lyrics detail breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them working out in the moment who they want to be.

"That's a perfect description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in shutting out the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Evolution of Music

That developed resilience required a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the drum sound.

"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Camaraderie

The band's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic misadventures.

Someone broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Path

You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their position in the rock pantheon.

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

Yet the sister act will forever be their top priority.

"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was four," shares Alana. "There is no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."