Every year, World Record Store Day brings together artists, fans, and collectors in celebration of all things music. It’s a day for crate-digging, reminiscing, and discovering the sounds that shape us. So, to celebrate, we gave our supporters a chance to make their mark on NEWM, with a design contest.

Our Spin the Art contest called on creatives from all backgrounds to design an original piece inspired by music. It was open-ended by design: no rigid templates, no art-school prerequisites. Just a simple brief – make something bold, inclusive, and imaginative. The winner had elements of their design turned into a limited-edition t-shirt in collaboration with NEWM. Then, on World Record Store Day, the shirt was included with the purchase of exclusive music collectibles on the RecordStore.

The result? A standout entry by Paul Cunningham, an artist, DJ, and blockchain advocate whose submission pulled from decades of music history and the universal power of sound to connect us.

We caught up with Paul to learn more about the story behind his winning design, how music helped shape his journey, and why empowering artists in the digital age is at the heart of everything he creates.

Designing with Meaning

Elements of your winning design were inspired by the iconic phrase ‘sex, drugs, and rock & roll.’ What was your take on it, and what did you want your design to say?

My primary goal in designing this art piece was to communicate the history of music through a selection of symbols and images from different genres and the decades from which they emerged.

A Personal Connection to Music

Music clearly played a role in this piece. What does music mean to you personally – as a fan, an artist or both?

Music is very personal to me; it helped me through a very difficult time in my life, which inspired me to buy a pair of Technics 1210 turntables 30 years ago. After buying them, I developed a passion for mastering the art of DJing. Through DJing, I was motivated to learn music production and release several tracks, one of which, “MAGI – Hold On,” was released through NEWM at the beginning of last year.

To give my personal opinion, music brings people together and strips away divisions between cultures, religions, etc., which is something that’s really needed at this present time.

Bringing Blockchain to the Creative Community

You also run a project called ADA for Artists, which focuses on digital payments for creatives. Can you tell us what inspired that initiative and what you hope it brings to the artist community?

ADA for Artists is an ongoing project/website that came about from my research of Cardano’s blockchain potential for music artists and other creative individuals. My interest was sparked by an interview I watched over three years ago featuring Charles Hoskinson and dance music pioneer Paul Oakenfold. In the interview they discussed the use of NFTs, the conversation also highlighted how artists can own their digital art.

From listening to the interview I could see the ability to mint digital images, audio files, and even event tickets in NFT form. This is what attracted me to NEWM. They offer a way to distribute your tracks for a one-time payment per track, with no monthly or annual fees. Additionally, they provide the opportunity for artists to collect royalties and streaming revenues. The purpose of the website is to showcase the tools available for artists that can be used within blockchain technology.

Where Art and Tech Intersect

Do you see any parallels between your visual art and the mission of ADA for Artists? In what ways do you think technology and creativity intersect today?

I would probably say yes, there are similar parallels between my visual art and ADA for Artists. Both highlight the importance of empowering creatives and ensuring they have ownership and control over their works.

Technology and creativity can intersect today in various ways. For instance, digital art platforms use technology to provide artists with new tools for expression, enabling them to explore and expand their creativity in unique formats. Additionally, technologies like NFTs offer artists a revolutionary way to authenticate and sell their work while retaining ownership, which aligns with Cardano’s mission of supporting artists’ rights.

The Power of Expression

More broadly – what role do you think art plays in the human experience? What keeps you creating?

Art plays an important role in the human experience; it allows people to connect, express, communicate, and create friendships. It has the power to inspire and connect people across different backgrounds. What keeps me creating is my desire to explore new ideas and express myself through music, with the hope that this resonates on the dance floor.

Creating Connection, Building Community

Spin the Art was about more than just design – it was about celebrating the creativity and connection that music inspires.

Paul’s entry brought that idea to life, not just through his design, but through his story. At the end of the day, what brings us together isn’t just the art we make, but the shared passion behind it – and the communities that grow from it.

Want to support Paul and other artists like him? Check out the RecordStore where you can purchase music collectibles that directly support the artists who create them. And if you’re an artist yourself, keep creating – because your art might just be what connects us next.