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"When are you chatting with the band?" a message pops up. "My request was to ask if I can be their extra sister."

There's just a single issue: The author likewise longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're far from alone. A host of celebrated supporters have also begged for the honor.

One thing is obvious a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey performing shows at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy Award hopefuls.

Like all the greatest bands, they're a tight-knit unit. Their visuals often depict them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such boundless exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I want to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest compliment. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate people to form a group."

"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the next part of the family."

Award Milestone

The trio have called into home, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.

They're presently celebrating the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in contention for the prize.

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

The weight of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.

"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant achievement," says Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that came before us."

Heartbreak and Candor

The record came out of a phase of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.

The words track departures and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.

"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Music

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

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

"Drums are such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she emphasizes.

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

Experiences and Collective Humor

The band's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.

One man broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Path

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

They're major draws, with hit albums and an global following.

Yet the sister act will always be their top commitment.

"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."