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"When are you chatting with the Haim sisters?" an inquiry pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their extra sister."

There's just a single issue: The sender also longs to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're not alone. Several celebrated fans have openly coveted the honor.

It's clear an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are repeated Grammy nominees.

In the tradition of the most iconic bands, they're a close trio. Their visuals repeatedly feature them striding in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such boundless joy you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the ultimate honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to make music."

"And thus everyone are welcome to be the fourth Haim sister."

Historic Milestone

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

They're currently celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in the running for the award.

"I follow the lists every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"

The importance of the accolade resonates with the sisters.

"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant milestone," says Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the female artists that inspired us."

Personal Turmoil and Laughter

The album emerged from a period of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that strange in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The lyrics track breakups and partings. 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 love summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Evolution of Music

That developed toughness called for a fresh approach – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the percussion.

"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Stories and Shared Laughter

The trio's openness fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating misadventures.

One man broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Path

It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their standing in the industry.

They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide fan base.

Yet the sister act will forever be their number one focus.

"We have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still going strong."