The Unsigned Only Music Competition, renowned for celebrating the best of independent and unsigned artists, has announced the 2023 winners.
Established in 2012, this year’s competition garnered almost 6,000 entries from almost 100 countries, reflecting the immense pool of musical talent worldwide. Winners share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes are split among 38 winners, including a $20,000 (US) cash prize to the overall Grand Prize winner. In addition to cash and merchandise, winners receive invaluable exposure through press, social media, and more.
Unsigned Only bestows its highest honor, the overall Grand Prize, to Charlotte Sands, a Hopkinton, MA native who currently resides in Nashville, TN, for her upbeat, hit-worthy single, “Dress.”
The winning song, written in response to the negativity surrounding Harry Styles wearing a dress on the cover of Vogue, went viral when it was released and became an anthem of self-expression for millions of listeners worldwide. The song has racked up more than 45 million plays on Spotify alone and has helped to launch Sands’ career. Since then, the electric blue-haired, tattooed singer/songwriter has put out a lot more singles, charted on Billboard, toured with Yungblud, amassed a legion of fans, and is embarking on a Fall tour in the US and Europe – all while remaining an indie artist. Raised on the pop-punk bands of the early 2000s and rooted in the storytelling of folk singer/songwriters, Sands combines upbeat melodies with unabashedly honest, self-reflective lyrics. Dubbed an “unstoppable force” by Alternative Press, Sands’ personal mission is to create a safe space for people to feel accepted and celebrated for their weirdness and diversity, and her fans take pride in championing her as they recognize how she champions them.
“Charlotte Sands seems to be an unstoppable force of talent,” said Co-Founders Candace Avery and Jim Morgan. “Her music reflects the essence of what it means to be truly exceptional in the world of unsigned, indie artists. We are excited to see how she, as well as our other winners, will shape the future of the music industry.”
In addition to the Grand Prize winner, many other deserving artists garnered first and second-place wins in the competition. A winner was also selected in Fandemonium, Unsigned Only’s public, popular vote which is separate from the winners selected by the official judging panel.
To see the winners and to listen to the winning songs, go to: www.unsignedonly.com/winners.
