Ghostly International

United States • Los AngelesFounded 1999

Ghostly International is an American independent electronic and indie label founded in 1999 from an Ann Arbor, Michigan dorm by Sam Valenti IV. Now based in Los Angeles, Ghostly is home to Matthew Dear, Dabrye, Tycho, Mary Lattimore, Galcher Lustwerk, Kate Bollinger, Julie Byrne, and Whatever The Weather. In 2020, Ghostly joined as an affiliate label of Secretly Group, anchoring a new family of labels under the banner of All Flowers Group. Ghostly operates the Spectral Sound dance imprint and the long-running SMM ambient series.

Contact & HQ

Headquarters

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Ownership & Distribution

Label Type

Independent Label

Parent Company

Secretly Group (affiliate, All Flowers Group)

Distribution

Secretly Distribution

Additional Details

Genres

ElectronicAvant-PopIndie RockAmbientDance

Signing Process

Ghostly International runs its own A&R under founder Sam Valenti IV. Unsolicited demos are not accepted. The label is highly selective and signs artists with distinct artistic identities across electronic, avant-pop, indie rock, ambient, and dance. Ghostly functions at the joints of genre, from its expansive vision of avant-pop and indie rock to its SMM ambient series and Spectral Sound dance imprint.

Demo Policy

No unsolicited demos. Submit through representation or build a strong independent profile first.

Notable Artists

Matthew Dear
Tycho
Mary Lattimore
Galcher Lustwerk
Kate Bollinger
Julie Byrne

Sub-Labels / Imprints

Spectral SoundSMM (ambient series)

Ghostly International is an American independent electronic and indie label founded in 1999 from an Ann Arbor, Michigan dorm by Sam Valenti IV. Now based in Los Angeles, Ghostly is home to Matthew Dear, Dabrye, Tycho, Mary Lattimore, Galcher Lustwerk, Kate Bollinger, Julie Byrne, Whatever The Weather, and more. In 2020, after over a decade of partnering with Secretly Distribution, Ghostly International joined as an affiliate label of Secretly Group, anchoring a new family of labels under the banner of All Flowers Group. Ghostly operates the Spectral Sound dance imprint and the long-running SMM ambient series.

Ghostly International was founded in 1999 from an Ann Arbor dorm, a quick ride to the Detroit raves and DJ gigs that shaped its infancy. The independent label has since grown from its DIY days, known for its early roster of experimental electronic artists such as Matthew Dear, Dabrye, and Tycho, into an internationally recognized cabal of visual artists, designers, and musicians. The New York Times described Ghostly as "transcending its record label roots to sell an ethos." Today, Ghostly functions at the joints of genre, from its expansive vision of avant-pop and indie rock to the label's long-running ambient series SMM and its dance imprint, Spectral Sound. The GI roster spans recent acclaimed releases from Mary Lattimore, Galcher Lustwerk, Kate Bollinger, Julie Byrne, Whatever The Weather, and more. Outside its Grammy-nominated record catalog, Ghostly has collaborated with adult swim, Warby Parker, Timex, The Estate of Arthur Russell, Carhartt Work in Progress, and Vans.

How Ghostly Operates

Ghostly International runs dedicated A&R under founder Sam Valenti IV from its Los Angeles headquarters. It is distributed by Secretly Distribution and is an affiliate label of Secretly Group under the All Flowers Group banner. The label's strength is its genre-spanning curation (electronic, avant-pop, indie rock, ambient, dance) and its collaborations with brands and archives (adult swim, Warby Parker, Timex, Estate of Arthur Russell, Carhartt, Vans). Its model transcends the traditional record label, selling an ethos through visual art, design, and music.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make electronic, avant-pop, indie rock, ambient, or dance music with a distinct artistic identity, Ghostly International is a respected independent label that transcends genre boundaries. Its roster of critically acclaimed artists (Tycho, Mary Lattimore, Julie Byrne) shows it can develop artists with long-term career potential. Its Secretly Group affiliation gives it access to Secretly Distribution's global network. Its brand collaborations show it can create opportunities beyond music releases.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

Highly selective: Ghostly signs very few artists each year.
No unsolicited demos: Ghostly does not accept cold submissions.
Genre-spanning identity: Ghostly's genre-spanning identity means it favors artists who defy easy categorization. Pure genre artists may find it less relevant.
All Flowers Group: Ghostly is part of the All Flowers Group under Secretly Group, which affects deal structures.