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

Record Store Day Unsigned Returns for 2023!

Aug 15, 2023

Launching on August 15th August 2023, RSD Unsigned will invite emerging musicians to showcase their music by submitting a 2-minute sample of their original work to TikTok or YouTube using the #RSDUnsigned hashtag.

Music enthusiasts and aspiring artists, get ready to make some noise!


Record Store Day is delighted to announce the highly anticipated return of the RSD Unsigned competition, now in partnership with Breed Media, a KEY Production Group company. The nationwide contest is a unique opportunity for one exceptionally talented unsigned artist to have their music pressed onto 500 vinyl records pressed using ‘Bio-Vinyl’ (this uses a new more sustainable but acoustically identical vinyl compound). On top of that, the winner will be invited to a mastering session at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, supported by RSD official partner Bowers and Wilkins, whose flagship 800 Series loudspeakers have been used as reference monitors in countless iconic recordings at the studios over the past 40 years. 


Launching on August 15th August 2023, RSD Unsigned will invite emerging musicians to showcase their music by submitting a 2-minute sample of their original work to TikTok or YouTube using the #RSDUnsigned hashtag. Then they will need to finalise the submission by following and completing the details here: https://www.breedmedia.co.uk/rsd-unsigned/ before 16th October – the process couldn’t be simpler!


A panel of music industry experts have also been assembled to judge the competition and listen to the music submitted, these include:

·       Dan Smith – Lead Singer, Bastille

·       Eva Davies – Artist and Label Manager, Come Play with Me

·       Karen Emanuel – CEO, Key Production Group

·       Martin Black – Record Store Owner, Spinning Discs

·       Nadia Khan – Women in CTRL Founder


"This collaboration between Record Store Day and Breed Media is a testament to our commitment to supporting independent artists and recognising the important role they play in their communities," said Alan Jordan of Reflex Records in Newcastle and the RSD Board. "RSD Unsigned aims to celebrate the diversity and innovation in new music and shine a light on the role record shops all around the country play in supporting new and breaking talent”


The winning artist will not only receive the prize of their music being pressed onto 500 Bio-Vinyl records, but they will also be given the chance to perform at KEY Production Group’s 33 1/3 birthday party in a legendary London venue in November. This performance will expose the winner to a unique audience of industry executives and music fans.


Karen Emanuel, CEO of KEY Production Group, said: “Since its inception in 1990, the Key Production Group has always championed independent artists. I’m delighted for Breed Media to be partnering with RSD to give an amazing opportunity to an unsigned act”

The RSD Unsigned competition has supported four previous winners including: Amy Fitz Doyley, Sister Cookie, Heavy Rapids and Barbudo. They have accrued success with mainstream radio play, UK-wide tours and festival appearances.


Aspiring artists are encouraged to act swiftly, as the RSD Unsigned competition will close on October 16th, 2023. For more information and to submit your entry, visit https://www.breedmedia.co.uk/rsd-unsigned/.


Stay tuned for updates and exciting announcements on Record Store Day and Breed Media's social media channels.

share this article

other news

Related Articles

Photo by Drew Eckheart
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 
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 .
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: