News

Haim Top BBC Sound Of 2013 List

• 4th Jan 2013

Californian sister-act Haim have this morning topped the BBC Sound of 2013 new music list.

The list, which aims to showcase the best new acts for the year ahead, was compiled using tips from 213 UK-based critics, broadcasters and bloggers.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens said Haim had a “contagious enthusiasm”.

“Haim have an unapologetic passion for music that shines in their songs,” he said. “They’re brilliant musicians who have a real talent for tunes that merge their tales of growing up in the 21st Century with a classic songwriting ability.”

The Top 5 in full:
• 1. Haim
• 2. AlunaGeorge
• 3. Angel Haze
• 4. Laura Mvula
• 5. Chvrches

The sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, aged between 21 and 26, started playing music as children when their parents enlisted them into a family covers band. They have already supported phenomenally successful British artists Florence and the Machine and Mumford and Sons live.

The sisters all play guitar, drums and sing and are still occasionally known to pull their mother and father on stage.

Haim’s songs pay homage to feelgood, freewheeling ‘70s rock and anthemic ‘80s synth-pop, gaining a modern sheen by borrowing rhythms from contemporary R&B which has seen them compared to Fleetwood Mac amongst others.

The 213 tastemakers who compiled the list – ranging from music magazine editors and newspaper critics to influential bloggers, DJs and radio and TV producers – each named their favourite three new acts.

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.”

Previous winners include Michael Kiwanuka, Jessie J, Ellie Goulding, Adele and many more household names.