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.
Notable Artists and Releases
Ghostly International has released music from electronic, avant-pop, indie rock, ambient, and dance artists since 1999. Here are some of the most significant releases on the label:
- Tycho - Dive (2011, #22 US Dance/Electronic Albums). The album that established Tycho as a major force in ambient electronic music. Took approximately five years to produce.
- Tycho - Awake (2014, #23 US Billboard 200, #2 US Dance/Electronic Albums). Tycho's highest-charting album in the United States. Also reached #159 on the UK Albums Chart and #24 on the UK Indie Albums Chart.
- Tycho - Epoch (2016, #1 US Dance/Electronic Albums, #78 US Billboard 200). Debuted at the top of the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 59th Grammy Awards in 2017.
- Matthew Dear - Black City (2010, #17 US Dance/Electronic Albums, #29 US Heatseekers Albums). Dear's fourth studio album. Released on Ghostly International to critical acclaim.
- Matthew Dear - Beams (2012, #14 US Dance/Electronic Albums). Dear's fifth studio album. The lead single "Her Fantasy" received an official music video directed by Tommy O'Haver.
- Com Truise - Galactic Melt (2011). The debut album from Seth Haley's retro-futurist synth project. The "Brokendate" music video has over 2.3 million views on the Ghostly International YouTube channel.
- Lusine - Just A Cloud (feat. Vilja Larjosto) (2017). The music video has over 13.3 million views on the Ghostly International YouTube channel. One of the label's most-watched videos.
- Matthew Dear - Leave Luck to Heaven (2003). Dear's debut album on Ghostly. The first release on the label was Dear's "Hands Up for Detroit" single in 1999.
- Telefon Tel Aviv - Dreams Are Not Enough (2019). The New Orleans electronic duo's first album on Ghostly International.
Official Music Videos
Deal Structures
Ghostly International operates as an independent label affiliated with Secretly Group. The label offers several types of deals:
- Traditional album deals: Ghostly signs artists for full album releases. Tycho's Dive, Awake, and Epoch were all released on Ghostly. The label funds recording and provides marketing support.
- Single and EP deals: For dance-oriented releases through the Spectral Sound imprint. These deals are typically shorter-term than album deals.
- Secretly Group affiliation: Since 2020, Ghostly operates as an affiliate label of Secretly Group under the All Flowers Group banner. This affects distribution and back-office operations.
- Secretly Distribution: All Ghostly releases go through Secretly Distribution's global network. This provides independent distribution without major label involvement.
- Brand collaborations: Ghostly has collaborated with adult swim, Warby Parker, Timex, The Estate of Arthur Russell, Carhartt Work in Progress, and Vans. These partnerships create revenue beyond music sales.
- No 360 deals: Ghostly does not typically take a percentage of touring or merchandise. The label focuses on recorded music and publishing.
- Visual art component: Ghostly operates as both a music label and a design brand. The New York Times described Ghostly as "transcending its record label roots to sell an ethos."
How Artists Get Signed
Ghostly's signing process reflects its origins as a friendship-based label:
- No unsolicited demos: Ghostly does not accept cold submissions. The label signs artists through personal connections and A&R relationships.
- Friendship-based model: Founder Sam Valenti IV has stated that Ghostly is "built around the enjoyment of meeting like-minded people." Most signings come through existing relationships in the electronic music community.
- Detroit and Ann Arbor connections: Ghostly was founded in Ann Arbor, a short drive from Detroit. Many early signings came from the Detroit electronic music scene. Matthew Dear was Valenti's classmate at the University of Michigan.
- Genre-spanning A&R: Ghostly signs artists who defy easy categorization. The roster spans electronic, avant-pop, indie rock, ambient, and dance. Pure genre artists may not fit the label's identity.
- Secretly Group network: The affiliation with Secretly Group provides access to a broader A&R network. Artists may move between Secretly Group labels.
- Visual art identity: Ghostly favors artists with a strong visual identity. The label treats artwork and design as integral to each release.
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.
Similar Labels
- Ninja Tune - UK independent electronic label with a similar genre-spanning approach
- Secretly Group - Ghostly's parent affiliate group
- Warp Records - UK electronic label with a similar experimental ethos
- Brainfeeder - Los Angeles electronic label founded by Flying Lotus
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Ghostly deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The Secretly Group affiliate model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an electronic profile
- Secretly Group - Ghostly's affiliate group
- Ghostly International Official Site - Roster and releases
