Dead Oceans is an American independent label founded in 2007 by Jacob Waldorf, Ben Swanson, Chris Swanson, Darius Van Arman, and Jonathan Cargill. It is part of Secretly Group. Dead Oceans is home to Phoebe Bridgers, Japanese Breakfast, Mitski, Khruangbin, Bright Eyes, Slowdive, Bill Fay, Kevin Morby, Durand Jones & The Indications, Cassandra Jenkins, and Danielle Ponder. The label focuses on bold and timeless recordings, and its name is lifted from the lyrics of a Bob Dylan folk ballad.
Dead Oceans has grown into one of the most respected indie labels in the world. Its diverse roster pushes forth a modern reimagining of the supposed indie-rock canon, an expansion and redefinition of what the "indie" genre even is. The earliest releases (including Phosphorescent's Pride, Dirty Projectors' Rise Above, and Akron/Family's Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free) ranged from folk to art punk to groove-y psych rock. The next several years yielded continued sonic diversity: Julianna Barwick's experimental ambiance, Mitski's anthemic rock, Ryley Walker and The Tallest Man on Earth's folk storytelling, Slowdive's remarkable return after a 22-year hiatus, and Khruangbin's global groove. The label's 2026 releases include Phoebe Bridgers' Puberty 2 (10th Anniversary Edition) and Danielle Ponder's Everything Has Changed.
How Dead Oceans Operates
Dead Oceans runs dedicated A&R within Secretly Group, with offices across the US and Europe. It is distributed by Secretly Distribution, giving it global physical and digital reach. The label's strength is its curatorial consistency across diverse genres, unified by an underlying artistic aesthetic. Its roster spans folk (Bill Fay, Kevin Morby), art pop (Mitski, Japanese Breakfast), soul (Durand Jones), and global groove (Khruangbin), all under one label umbrella.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make indie rock, indie folk, art pop, or soul with a distinct artistic identity, Dead Oceans is one of the most respected independent labels in the world. Its roster of critically acclaimed and commercially successful artists (Phoebe Bridgers, Japanese Breakfast, Mitski, Khruangbin) shows it can develop artists who achieve both critical and commercial success. Its Secretly Group infrastructure provides global distribution and marketing.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Highly selective: Dead Oceans signs very few artists each year.
- No unsolicited demos: Dead Oceans does not accept cold submissions.
- Artistic aesthetic: The label has a distinct curatorial aesthetic. Music outside that aesthetic will not fit.
- Secretly Group structure: Dead Oceans is part of Secretly Group. Deal structures involve the group's infrastructure.
Notable Artists and Releases
Dead Oceans has released some of the most acclaimed indie albums of the past decade. Below are releases with verified chart and sales data:
| Artist | Release | Year | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitski | Laurel Hell | 2022 | Billboard 200 No. 5, 36,000 first-week units, No. 1 Top Album Sales |
| Phoebe Bridgers | Punisher | 2020 | Billboard 200 No. 43, RIAA Gold (500,000+ US sales), Grammy nominated |
| Japanese Breakfast | Jubilee | 2021 | Billboard 200 No. 56, Grammy nominated Best Alternative Music Album |
| Khruangbin | Mordechai | 2020 | Billboard 200 No. 31 (Night Time Stories/Dead Oceans) |
| Khruangbin | A LA SALA | 2024 | Billboard 200 No. 27, 20,000+ first-week vinyl sales |
| Slowdive | Slowdive (self-titled) | 2017 | Billboard 200 No. 73, first album in 22 years |
| Bright Eyes | Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was | 2020 | Billboard 200 No. 28 |
Mitski's Laurel Hell was the first top 10 album on the Billboard 200 for Dead Oceans. It was also the fourth Dead Oceans release to reach the top 40. The label's previous high came from Khruangbin's Mordechai at No. 31.
Video Highlights
Deal Structures
Dead Oceans operates within the Secretly Group infrastructure. Deal types include:
- Traditional recording deals: Dead Oceans signs artists to standard independent label contracts. The label funds recording, marketing, and distribution. Master ownership typically stays with the label for the deal term.
- Multi-album deals: The label frequently signs artists for multiple albums. Phoebe Bridgers released two full-lengths on Dead Oceans. Mitski has released three albums through the label.
- Joint ventures through Secretly Group: Some signings involve shared resources across Secretly Group labels (Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans). This gives artists access to a larger infrastructure while maintaining a distinct label identity.
- Licensing deals: Dead Oceans licenses catalog material for reissue. The 2026 Phoebe Bridgers Puberty 2 10th Anniversary Edition is an example.
- No 360 deal structures: Dead Oceans does not typically pursue 360-degree deals. The label focuses on recorded music revenue rather than taking a percentage of touring or merchandise.
How Artists Get Signed
Dead Oceans does not accept unsolicited demos. The signing process follows these steps:
- A&R scouting within Secretly Group: Dead Oceans A&R staff monitor indie music scenes through live shows, Bandcamp, streaming platforms, and press coverage. They look for artists with distinct artistic identities rather than a single sound.
- Referrals from existing roster: Artists on Dead Oceans and other Secretly Group labels refer new acts. The indie community is tightly connected, and existing roster artists often recommend new signings.
- Manager and agent submissions: Managers and booking agents submit artists who have already built independent profiles. Dead Oceans expects artists to have existing buzz, streaming numbers, or touring history before consideration.
- Critical reception threshold: Dead Oceans signs artists who have already received attention from Pitchfork, Stereogum, FADER, or similar publications. The label does not develop artists from zero.
- Curatorial fit: The final decision rests on whether the artist fits the label's aesthetic. Dead Oceans prioritizes artistic consistency over genre. Its roster spans folk, art pop, soul, and global groove under one curatorial umbrella.
Similar Labels
- Merge Records - Indie label with artist-friendly deals and a diverse roster
- 4AD - Indie label with art rock and dream pop history
- Matador Records - Independent label with indie rock and post-punk roster
- Sub Pop - Legendary indie label with similar curatorial approach
- Domino Recording Company - UK indie with art rock and indie folk signings
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Dead Oceans deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The Secretly Group model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an indie profile
- Secretly Group - Dead Oceans' parent company
- Dead Oceans Official Site - Roster and releases
