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"When are you interviewing Haim?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."

There is only one problem: The author likewise wants to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're not alone. Several celebrated admirers have also coveted the position.

One thing is obvious a special quality is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy contenders.

In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their music videos frequently show them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such pure exuberance you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the biggest compliment. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to start a band."

"And thus everyone are welcome to be the fourth part of the family."

Historic Recognition

The trio are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.

They're right now reeling from 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 award.

"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"

The importance of the nomination isn't lost on the sisters.

"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major achievement," says Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the women that paved the way."

Heartbreak and Humour

The project came out of a period of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that strange transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.

The lyrics track breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in the moment who they aspire to be.

"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Refinement of Style

That developed confidence 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 was founded on the percussion.

"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much 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 right drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Humor

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

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

"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Legacy

One can easily sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the rock pantheon.

They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide fan base.

Yet Haim will forever be their number one focus.

"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."