Currls Crowned Winners of Record Store Day Unsigned, 2023!

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? 

"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? 

"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? 

"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? 

"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!