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"When are you speaking to the band?" a text pops up. "My request was to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."

There's just one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several celebrated admirers have openly coveted the honor.

It's clear something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award nominees.

In the tradition of the best groups, they're a close unit. Their videos frequently show them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure joy you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'After your show, I got a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire young girls to form a group."

"Therefore all is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."

Historic Nod

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

They're currently processing the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in contention for the award.

"I watch the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"

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

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just grateful for the female artists that inspired us."

Heartbreak and Laughter

The album emerged from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that odd liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.

The words track breakups and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in real life who they want to be.

"I love summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to actively work on blocking the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Evolution of Style

That developed toughness required a different sonic direction – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.

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

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

Stories and Collective Humor

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

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

"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."

A Secure Future

You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.

They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an international following.

But the band will forever be their primary commitment.

"My sisters and I have been making music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "There is nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."