The World Are Invited to Join as the Fourth Haim Sister.

The Haim sisters performing together
The Sister Trio: "Playing music together is where our true purpose will forever lie."

"When are you chatting with Haim?" a text arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."

However, there remains a single issue: I also wants to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several high-profile supporters have also coveted the honor.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award nominees.

Similar to the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos frequently feature them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."

"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a bass'," says Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That is the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate people to start a band."

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

Haim performing at a large festival
The group's gigs have seen them ascend to headliner status of line-ups throughout the world.

Award Milestone

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

They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in contention for the award.

"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"

The significance of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.

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

Emotional Upheaval and Humour

The record came out of a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that odd liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.

The lyrics detail departures and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real time who they aspire to be.

"I love way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to consciously practice blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Haim album covers and career milestones
The band claimed victory in a notable new artist list in 2013, and have later scored four successful albums.

Refinement of Sound

That newfound resilience required a new sound – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.

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

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."

Haim in the studio working on music
I Quit refines the band's characteristic style, combining organic instrumentation with rhythmic rhythms and catchy pop tunes.

Stories and Shared Humor

The band's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their dating horror stories.

A former partner broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled 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 hope," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

Haim on stage during their recent tour
The band recently wrapped up a lengthy tour, but say they aim to hit the road in the coming years.

An Assured Legacy

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

They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide fan base.

Yet Haim will forever be their top focus.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was little," says Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still making music."

Kelly Drake
Kelly Drake

Environmental journalist and conservation advocate with over a decade of experience covering Canadian ecological issues.