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"When are you interviewing the band?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."

There is only a single issue: The author likewise desires to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of famous fans have openly coveted the role.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their path doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best bands, they're a close unit. Their visuals often depict them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered happiness you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be involved in that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the greatest honor. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire young girls to form a group."

"So all gets an invitation to be the next part of the family."

Award Nod

The group are speaking from home, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.

They're presently celebrating the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in contention for the award.

"I watch the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I needed to phone 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 really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that paved the way."

Emotional Upheaval and Candor

The project emerged from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that strange in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to let go.

The lyrics follow breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them working out in real life who they want to be.

"I adore way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Evolution of Music

That developed confidence required a new sound – more unpolished and powerful than anything the band had done before.

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

"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Laughter

The trio's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating misadventures.

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

"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."

A Secure Path

It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the rock pantheon.

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

Yet the band will always be their top focus.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," says Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still kicking."