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"When are you interviewing Haim?" a message reads. "My request was to ask if I can be their fourth member."

However, there remains a single issue: The sender also wants to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Multiple high-profile supporters have also coveted the role.

It's clear something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey performing shows at neighborhood delis with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the most iconic bands, they're a close gang. Their visuals often feature them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such unfettered exuberance you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate honour. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate people to make music."

"So all gets an invitation to be the fourth member of Haim."

Award Nod

The group are connecting from a break, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.

They're currently processing the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in the running for the prize.

"I watch the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"

The weight of the honor isn't lost on the trio.

"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," says Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that paved the way."

Emotional Upheaval and Candor

The project was born from a period of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that strange liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to let go.

The themes track breakups and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they aspire to be.

"That's a perfect description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Evolution of Style

That developed toughness demanded a new sound – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drums.

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Humor

The band's honesty shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic misadventures.

A former partner ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"When you're going through these heartbreaks, 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 therapeutic."

A Secure Path

It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the music world.

They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an global following.

Yet the sister act will consistently be their top commitment.

"We have been making music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still making music."