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"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."

However, there remains a key snag: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of celebrated supporters have publicly petitioned for the position.

One thing is obvious a special quality is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy nominees.

Like all the best groups, they're a tight-knit gang. Their videos frequently feature them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I want to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to form a group."

"So everyone is invited to be the next part of the family."

Grammy Recognition

The trio are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.

They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-female band ever in consideration for the prize.

"I follow the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"

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

"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that inspired us."

Emotional Upheaval and Humour

The project was born from a time of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that odd transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.

The words track endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.

"I adore way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to consciously practice shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Refinement of Music

That developed toughness required a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

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

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Camaraderie

The trio's honesty inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their personal misadventures.

A former partner broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"When you're going through these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Path

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.

They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an international audience.

But the sister act will always be their number one commitment.

"My sisters and I have been making music since I was four," says Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still making music."