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"When are you interviewing Haim?" a text arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise longs to be Haim's newest recruit. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. Multiple celebrated fans have openly coveted the position.

One thing is obvious a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award contenders.

In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos frequently feature them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such unfettered exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That is the ultimate compliment. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to make music."

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

Historic Recognition

The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.

They're presently reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the trophy.

"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"

The significance of the honor resonates with the sisters.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge step," adds Alana. "However we're just thankful for the female artists that paved the way."

Emotional Upheaval and Humour

The album emerged from a period of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that odd transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The lyrics track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them working out in real time who they want to be.

"I love way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Development of Style

That developed toughness called for a fresh approach – more unpolished and powerful than anything the band had done before.

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

"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she states.

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

Stories and Collective Humor

The band's candor shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic misadventures.

Someone left Este over a health concern. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," explains Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."

A Secure Future

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

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

Yet Haim will always be their top commitment.

"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was four," shares Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."