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"When are you speaking to the Haim sisters?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can be their extra sister."

There's just a single issue: The author likewise desires to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're in plentiful company. A host of high-profile supporters have publicly begged for the position.

One thing is obvious something is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their path performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award nominees.

Similar to the most iconic ensembles, they're a tight-knit unit. Their music videos often show them striding in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such boundless happiness you find yourself thinking, "I want to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the ultimate compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage others to form a group."

"So everyone gets an invitation to be the fourth Haim sister."

Award Recognition

The trio are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.

They're right now processing the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-female band ever in contention for the prize.

"I watch the announcements every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"

The weight of the nomination is deeply felt by the sisters.

"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that inspired us."

Personal Turmoil and Candor

The project came out of a time of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to move on.

The lyrics follow breakups and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.

"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to actively work on ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Development of Sound

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

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.

"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."

Anecdotes and Shared Humor

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

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

"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."

A Secure Path

One can easily sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the music world.

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

However the sister act will forever be their number one focus.

"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still making music."