Haim have been announced as the winner of the BBC’s Sound of 2013 poll. The girl band rose to fame over the summer with the release of their EP Forever, fronted by the single of the same name. Compromised of three sisters from Los Angeles, the band have been praised for their percussive “nu-folk” sound with undertones of nineties R&B.
2012 saw the band tour across America with Mumford & Sons, and support Florence & The Machine at her O2 gig in December. Last month also saw the band release their second EP Don’t Save Me, with a debut album set to be released in the next few months. The band have been praised for their innovative music; Harry Styles even being one of their celebrity fans
The result was announced by DJ Huw Stephens this morning on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show whilst he is covering the programme for Nick Grimshaw.
Haim were voted the champion after 213 tastemakers ranked their three favourite potential successes for the year. The top five from the fifteen artist long-list have now been ranked as Stephens counted down the artists this week. Those that have missed out on a spot in the top five include BRITs Critics’ Choice Award winner Tom Odell and London’s garage-rock band Palma Violets.
On being awarded the BBC Sound of 2013 title, Este Haim said “It’s the craziest thing to think we’re on a list with so many amazing artists. This year the five bands that were in the list were all female fronted, right? …We love the UK – the last time we were there, we were there for almost a month and a half. The UK is like a second home.”
The rules state that the acts can be from anywhere in the world, but must not be well-known with the UK public, and must not have achieved a top 20 single or album in the UK before 11th November 2012.
Now in its eleventh year, the poll has predicted fame for some huge names in music. Michael Kiwanuka was last year’s winner, but arguably hasn’t been as successful as some of the previous winners including Jessie J, Adele and 50 Cent.
Haim are the first band to win the accolade since 2005’s victors, The Bravery.
3 Comments
A pretty fair choice I think, and a nice variety of acts. I am surprised none of the ‘new’ guitar acts (Peace / Palma Violets or Kodaline) were shortlisted though.
Quite surprising as well that every single one of the top 5 are female fronted acts!
I think i’m suffering from the ageing process at a mere 21 years of age… I keep calling them ‘Hymen’.