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"When are you interviewing Haim?" a text arrives. "My request was to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."

There is only a single issue: I also longs to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. Several famous fans have publicly coveted the honor.

The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career performing shows at small eateries with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy nominees.

Similar to the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit gang. Their visuals repeatedly feature them striding in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That is the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to start a band."

"And thus everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary member of Haim."

Historic Recognition

The band are speaking from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in support of their latest 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 first all-woman band ever in contention for the prize.

"I tune into the announcements 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, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"

The weight of the nomination resonates with the trio.

"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant step," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."

Heartbreak and Humour

The record emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that odd transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.

The words track breakups and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.

"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Evolution of Sound

That recent toughness demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drum sound.

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Stories and Collective Camaraderie

The trio's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic tales.

A former partner ended things with Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."

A Confident Path

One can easily sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their position in the music world.

They're major draws, with successful albums and an international following.

Yet the band will always be their primary commitment.

"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."