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"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."

There's just a key snag: The sender also wants to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're not alone. Several celebrated supporters have also begged for the honor.

The evidence suggests a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy nominees.

In the tradition of the most iconic groups, they're a close unit. Their visuals frequently depict them striding in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that audience members told us and said, 'After your show, I got a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to form a group."

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

Award Recognition

The group are connecting from their homes, where they're resting up after an major tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.

They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the award.

"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"

The importance of the accolade isn't lost on the band.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that paved the way."

Heartbreak and Candor

The project was born from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to move on.

The words track endings and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them working out in the moment who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Development of Music

That newfound toughness required a new sound – more unpolished and immediate than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the drums.

"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 biography," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Laughter

The trio's openness fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic horror stories.

Someone left Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Path

You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the music world.

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

But Haim will consistently be their primary commitment.

"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was a young child," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."