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"When are you chatting with the band?" a text arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their fourth member."

There's just a single issue: The author likewise desires to be Haim's fourth member. Furthermore, we are not alone. Several high-profile admirers have openly coveted the position.

It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their music videos frequently feature them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I want to be part of that, too."

"How often on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That is the ultimate honour. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to make music."

"So everyone are welcome to be the honorary member of Haim."

Award Recognition

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

They're currently reeling from the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the prize.

"I follow the lists every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"

The significance of the honor resonates with the band.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that came before us."

Heartbreak and Candor

The project came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to let go.

The themes detail breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them working out in real life who they aspire to be.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to make an effort in blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Refinement of Sound

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

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drum sound.

"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Laughter

The band's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating misadventures.

A former partner broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."

A Secure Future

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

They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an global fan base.

However the sister act will forever be their top priority.

"We have been performing since I was little," shares Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still making music."