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"When are you chatting with the band?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can be their fourth member."

There's just a single issue: The author likewise desires to be Haim's fourth member. And we're in plentiful company. Several high-profile admirers have openly begged for the position.

One thing is obvious a special quality is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at small eateries with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy hopefuls.

Like all the best ensembles, they're a close trio. Their music videos frequently depict them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I got a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the biggest honour. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate young girls to form a group."

"So all gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."

Award Milestone

The trio are speaking from home, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.

They're right now celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in contention for the trophy.

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

The weight of the nomination is deeply felt by the sisters.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that came before us."

Emotional Upheaval and Candor

The album was born from a phase of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.

The themes detail breakups and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in real time who they aspire to be.

"I love summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to consciously practice blocking the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Evolution of Music

That developed confidence demanded a different sonic direction – more raw and immediate than anything the band had done before.

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

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," quips Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Laughter

The trio's openness fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their personal horror stories.

A former partner left 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.

"During these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Path

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

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

However the sister act will forever be their top priority.

"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."