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"When are you chatting with the band?" a text arrives. "My request was to ask if I can be their fourth member."

However, there remains a key snag: The author likewise wants to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're in plentiful company. Several celebrated fans have openly begged for the role.

It's clear a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career performing shows at small eateries with their family. Today, they are multiple Grammy Award nominees.

Like all the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit unit. Their videos often feature them marching in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such pure exuberance you can't help but think, "I want to be part of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage others to make music."

"So all is invited to be the fourth part of the family."

Award Milestone

The band are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an lengthy 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-female band ever in the running for the award.

"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"

The weight of the nomination resonates with the trio.

"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that paved the way."

Emotional Upheaval and Laughter

The record was born from a phase of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The themes track endings and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Evolution of Sound

That developed confidence demanded a new sound – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the drums.

"Drums are such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.

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

Experiences and Shared Camaraderie

The band's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.

One man broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

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

A Confident Legacy

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their position in the industry.

They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide audience.

But the sister act will forever be their number one priority.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," concludes Alana. "It's like no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."