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"When are you speaking to Haim?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."

However, there remains one problem: The sender also desires to be Haim's fourth member. And we're far from alone. A host of famous fans have also coveted the honor.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey playing gigs at local delicatessens with their family. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best groups, they're a close gang. Their visuals repeatedly depict them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such boundless exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a guitar'," 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 others to start a band."

"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the fourth member of Haim."

Historic Recognition

The trio are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.

They're presently processing the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the award.

"I follow the nominations every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"

The significance of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.

"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that came before us."

Personal Turmoil and Humour

The record emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.

The lyrics detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.

"I love summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Refinement of Sound

That developed toughness required a new sound – more raw and direct than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the percussion.

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Humor

The band's honesty inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal tales.

Someone ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Future

It's not difficult sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their position in the industry.

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

Yet the sister act will always be their top priority.

"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."