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"Any idea when you're interviewing Haim?" a text pops up. "My request was to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise desires to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of celebrated fans have publicly coveted the honor.

The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award contenders.

In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a close unit. Their visuals frequently show them striding in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such pure happiness you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."

"How often on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "It is the greatest honour. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to start a band."

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

Award Nod

The band are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in for their new album, I Quit.

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

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

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

"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant milestone," adds Alana. "However we're just thankful for the women that paved the way."

Personal Turmoil and Laughter

The project emerged from a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to let go.

The lyrics track endings and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they are becoming.

"I adore way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to actively work on ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Sound

That newfound toughness required a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate 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 nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," quips Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Humor

The band's openness shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating tales.

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

"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Path

One can easily sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their place in the rock pantheon.

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

Yet the band will consistently be their top priority.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still making music."