STORE LOCATOR

Get ready to celebrate Record Store Day. Find your nearest record store, where you can get exclusive access to new vinyl releases, event locations, and more.

FIND A STORE
Article

Currls Crowned Winners of Record Store Day Unsigned, 2023!

Nov 15, 2023

The results are in! We are so excited to announce that the official winner of Record Store Day Unsigned 2023 is Currls

The Brighton-based trio, known for their hard-hitting and fast-paced punk energy, will soon have their music pressed onto 500 vinyl records and enjoy an exclusive mastering session at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins. 

Following their win, we had a few questions to ask the band...

1. Out of 500 entrants, you have been crowned the winner of this year’s RSD Unsigned competition. How does that feel? 

"It feels surreal. It’s a real proud moment for us. We’ve put so much hard work into this project over the years and to get recognition in this way is truly incredible. It can feel impossible sometimes as a diy to raise funding for things such as vinyl, so this gives us a massive opportunity to give something really special to our listeners and is definitely something we’ll never forget." - Holly


"It feels so surreal, we really weren't expecting it! It's so exciting to be given this opportunity as we've been wishing to get CURRLS on vinyl for so long!" - Hannah


"It feels good to be picked amongst an array of talented entries and is a cherry on top of a year that’s felt like we’ve made a lot of progress." - Jack

2. Why did you decide to enter the competition? Is having your music on vinyl something that’s important to you? ï»¿

"I think as an independent artist, when you see an opportunity like this you have to jump at it. I’ve always dreamt of one day having my own songs pressed to vinyl so this really is a dream come true, there’s just something quite special about vinyl and that will never go away." - Holly


"We decided to enter the competition as we were looking for support in getting vinyl manufactured in order for our music to be heard and promoted across the music industry. We feel having our music on vinyl will allow our fans to listen to our songs in an alternative way which will elevate their enjoyment and may even provide some nostalgia from the days when vinyl first became popular." - Hannah


"I think vinyl has a quality to it that is just more potent in the music listening experience it brings back memories of looking at the back of albums and lyrics finding out who played on it, and it feels surreal to be part of this great format and it’s an honour." - Jack

3. How do you think winning this prize could impact your music career? ï»¿

"This could change our career dramatically. We’re now going to be able to present to our audience something truly special. We’re all so in awe of Abbey Road Studios too, our little minds are blown that we get the chance to have our tracks mastered there. Winning this contest helps us continue to spread our message of inclusivity, diversity and individuality." - Holly


" I believe winning this prize will allow us to distribute our music further to people who have the desire to listen to music on record. It’s a disconnect from the reality of today’s music industry of streaming platforms and emphasis on streaming numbers." - Hannah


"It’ll make it a lot more accessible I think to people who cherish music, and like the tangible qualities of it." - Jack

4. Are you a record collector yourself? Do you have a favourite indie record shop? ï»¿

"I am an absolute sucker for vinyl. Usually I’m a big charity shop lover, always enjoyed crate digging and trying to find hidden gems. There’s a record shop in Amsterdam that never left my head called Concerto, I would love to play in there one day. I’m a big fan of Sister Ray in Soho too, always great deals in there. Rough trade is a no brainer and in Brighton, I’d have to say my favourite is Rarekind Records and Cult Hero." - Holly


"Unfortunately I do not have a record player of my own however I think it’s brilliant how vinyl has massively come back into movement. In Brighton we have Resident record shop in the North Laines which is a fav! They host in store events for artists to perform intimate shows which is so cool!" - Hannah


"Unfortunately I don’t have a record player any more but as soon as I can I will get one, I’ve been dying to listen to my vinyl records again!" - Jack

5. Who are your musical inspirations? Is there an artist in particular that has shaped your artistry? ï»¿

"Over the years, I have made a giant love child of all my favourite artists in my mind, trying to fuse them all together, there’s just so many I could go on and on. One artist that truly shifted something for me was T.Rex, I remember discovering Marc Bolan when I used to watch tops of the pops with my grandma and I was just so in awe. I just found his music so unique and he seemed so individual, it just inspired me to want to be like that too." - Holly


"I take inspiration from lots of different artists in varying genres including Nothing But Thieves, The Vaccines, Tame Impala, Paramore and Wolf Alice, to name a few. I grew up with a lot of punk rock influence from my dad, listening to artists such as The Clash and The Jam. I think all of these artists collectively shape my artistry when it comes to creating new drum parts." - Hannah


"Easily for me it’s Elliott Smith, his chord progressions continue to inspire me to not go down conventional roads and find the beauty in letting a melody stand on its own!" - Jack


Record Store Day and Breed Media are thrilled to have had yet another successful year of the #RSDUnsigned competition, which gives talented unsigned and DIY artists the opportunity to win their music pressed onto vinyl.


This year’s #RSDUnsigned competition was our biggest yet, with a record numbers of hugely talented applicants from all over the UK. A huge thank you to all of you who entered. We have seriously loved all your submissions and hearing the amazing array of unsigned talent out there! 

Currls were crowned as 2023’s winners by a team of music industry experts, including: 


  • Dan Smith – Lead Singer, Bastille 
  • Karen Emanuel – CEO, Key Production 
  • Nadia Khan – Founder, Woman in Ctrl 
  • Martin Black – Record Store Owner, Spinning Discs 
  • Eva Davies – Artist and Label Manager, Come Play with Me 


To stay up to date with Currls, and their special vinyl release, give them a follow and support them on Spotify.


Be sure to follow Record Store Day and Breed Media on socials for more info on their special vinyl release due to come soon!

share this article

other news

Related Articles

Photo by Drew Eckheart

RECORD STORE DAY X TAYLOR SWIFT – UK VINYL SALES HAVE THEIR BEST WEEK IN 30 YEARS

30 Apr, 2024
The combination of April 20th’s Record Store Day and the release of Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department meant vinyl sales last week enjoyed their highest weekly total in 30 years, according to analysis by digital entertainment and retail association ERA. Data from the Official Charts Company show 269,134 vinyl albums and 37,656 vinyl singles were sold in chart week 17, making a total of 306,791. This is higher than in any week since week five 1994 when current statistics began. Sales of vinyl copies of The Tortured Poets Department- many of them sold through independent record stores - accounted for just under a quarter (24.7%) of the week’s vinyl album sales. Meanwhile sales of vinyl albums exclusive to independent record shops as part of Record Store Day accounted for an estimated 37.2% of the vinyl albums market. Last week’s success for vinyl indicates that the format’s revival shows no sign of waning after 2023 marked its 16 th consecutive year of growth. Four of the Top 10 biggest weeks for vinyl in the past 30 years have come in the past 12 months. Kim Bayley, CEO of ERA, said it is no coincidence that vinyl should reach another high point in the week of Record Store Day, “Indie record shops were first to realise that the growth of streaming would paradoxically provide an opportunity for the most physical of physical formats,” she said, “and vinyl has sat at the heart of Record Store Day’s celebration of indie record shop culture since 2008.“ She said it was particularly appropriate that it was the combination of RSD and Taylor Swift which helped deliver the week 17. “Taylor Swift has long been a supporter of indie record stores and served as Record Store Day’s global ambassador in 2022,” she said. “Her support has undoubtedly helped drive even more younger fans to indie record shops, helping sustain the stores which are one of the most vibrant elements of the music ecosystem.” Highlighting the synergies between Ms Swift, vinyl and indie record shops, Taylor Swift titles led by The Tortured Poets Department account for the three top performing vinyl albums week of release since 1994. TOP PERFORMING VINYL ALBUMS WEEK-OF-RELEASE SINCE 1994 

RECORD STORE DAY SET TO DELIVER £10M BOOST TO INDIE RECORD SHOPS

16 Apr, 2024
Record Store Day, the annual celebration of indie record store culture taking place this Saturday (April 20), is expected to deliver a £9.7m boost to indie record shops, helping secure the future of one of the key pillars of grassroots music culture. The £9.7m figure is an estimate of the sales value of the 443 exclusive releases which will be made available through indie stores on Record Store Day. This year these range from Ringo Starr’s “Crooked Boy” EP which includes four brand-new tracks, to an Olivia Rodrigo & Noah Kahan split 7” of “Stick Season” and “Lacy” from the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge to a stunning reissue of Young Father’s Mercury Award winning debut album “Dead”, limited to just 2000 copies. The analysis, prepared by digital entertainment and retail association ERA which organises Record Store UK on behalf of 270 indie retailers, does not include incremental revenue of non-Record Store Day music titles made on the day, nor money generated by food, drink and other items. The actual total through store tills is likely to be higher. In 2023 ERA estimates that exclusives sold on Record Store Day accounted for nearly 10% of annual sales of all physical music product through High Street stores. Last month ERA announced that indie store numbers have hit a 10 year high in part propelled by Record Store Day. ERA CEO Kim Bayley said, “Record Store Day is a cultural phenomenon which draws in tens of thousands of music fans across the country, but it is also a financial lifeline for a vital element of music’s unique ecosystem. Without Record Store Day, many would find it difficult to stay in business. We are grateful to the artists and labels who work so hard to create exclusive Record Store Day product and of course to the fans who turn out to support their local stores in such numbers.” Record Store Day UK coordinator Megan Page said, “Saturday is going to be quite a day. Indie stores can be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. There will be live music, DJ sets, parties and performances in every corner of the country to celebrate. The important thing is people don’t forget that indie record stores are also great places to go to when it’s not Record Store Day.” This year’s Record Store Day UK ambassador, Kate Bush, said “Each year Record Store Day gathers more attention, more momentum, and attracts more people who cram into indie record stores all over the world to see what’s up. What’s new? This year, I hope you have a fantastic time at this very important event, and that you get to celebrate music that’s been specially released for you”. You can read her full statement here .

RECORD STORE DAY UK ANNOUNCES FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES FOR OFFICIAL CHARITY PARTNER WAR CHILD

10 Apr, 2024
Record Store Day UK are excited to announce this year’s fundraising activities to support its Official 2024 Charity Partner, War Child. The money raised will go towards helping children in conflict all over the world, which is more important than ever before. SIGNED TURNTABLES One lucky vinyl fan could be in with the chance of winning a one-off Rega Planar 3 deck signed by RSD ambassador Kate Bush (including an exclusive test pressing of her upcoming Record Store Day 2024 release ' Eat The Music ')! What's more, a further two fans could win decks signed by rock icons Blur and 2023 Mercury Prize nominees Young Fathers. Entry is simple! Raffle tickets can be purchased from 11th April on War Child’s Crowdfunder pages for Kate Bush , Blur and Young Fathers . Each entry costs just £5, and to top it off, there's no limit on the number of times a fan can enter. Winners of each deck will be announced on Sunday 5th May 2023, perfectly timed for you to spin those Record Store Day 2024 releases!
ALL ARTICLES
Share by: