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"When are you chatting with the band?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their fourth member."

There is only one problem: The sender also desires to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Several high-profile admirers have also coveted the honor.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their career performing shows at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best groups, they're a tight-knit unit. Their music videos repeatedly depict them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such boundless exuberance you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire young girls to make music."

"And thus everyone are welcome to be the next part of the family."

Historic Nod

The trio are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.

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

"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"

The weight of the nomination resonates with the sisters.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the women that came before us."

Heartbreak and Candor

The album was born from a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to let go.

The themes follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they want to be.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Development of Style

That recent toughness demanded a fresh approach – more raw and powerful than anything the band had done before.

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

"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."

Anecdotes and Shared Humor

The band's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic misadventures.

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

"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Path

You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their place in the rock pantheon.

They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an international audience.

Yet the band will forever be their primary priority.

"We have been making music since I was four," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."