Curt Keplin

Curt Keplin looks back on 20 years of experience in the music industry.

After working for EMI, V2, Cooperative Music, City Slang, and Kobalt/AWAL, Curt Keplin launched his own artist management and marketing services agency, CK Marketing & Consulting, in 2016 before joining the Dutch music distributor FUGA in 2020.

Curt Keplin joined Rough Trade - an iconic independent music retailer that opened in London, UK in 1976 - as Managing Director EU in May 2023, leading the company’s expansion to the European market.

In October 2023, the company launched an EU-optimized online shopping experience in Q4 2023, including a fulfillment center based in Berlin.

In April 2024, Rough Trade opened two new flagship stores in Liverpool, UK, and Berlin, DE.

Rough Trade’s 270 square meter Berlin store is located in a revamped building called Kalle Neukölln, transforming a former department store and multi-story car park into a modern creative space. Besides Rough Trade, Kalle Neukölln will feature a new 600-cap venue, a food market, and an extensive rooftop garden.

Rough Trade also operates five more stores in the UK: London (East, West, Soho), Nottingham, and Bristol; a store in New York City and worldwide at www.roughtrade.com.