Biography
Ghostly is a record label and art company that aims to provide work of high quality, integrity and individuality. Ghostly aims continue to promote great artists and bring forward work of individuality, beauty and quality to fans.
Ghostly International sprang onto the scene in 1999 amidst the collapse of the music business. Part art gallery and part musical culture brand, Ghostly mines the international landscape for talent with a look towards the future and without the restriction of established genres or classification.
Launched by a then 19-year old, Sam Valenti IV, the label was inspired by spending his formative years as a DJ and a love of visiting record stores and attending gigs. The label's confidence was emboldened by an initial roster of forward-thinking acts like instrumental hip-hop prodigy Dabrye, electronic beatsmith Matthew Dear, electronic/indie rock pioneers Midwest Product and a musical firebrand Dykehouse, approximating a minimal-yet-rich sonic template that married cold funk to mutant pop music, culminating in a palettable and perplexing array of sonics.
The label became as known for its visuals as for its music, thanks to a brilliant group of Detroit-area visual artists including Will Calcutt's steely design/photography, Doug Coombe's ecstatic live show photos, and Michael Segal's BoyCatBird Characters (the label's de facto "mascots"). Collaborations with artists such as WK Interact, Mike Cina of YouWorkForThem and Deanne Cheuk helped keep the visual identity fresh.
Trading on its strength as a culture brand with the core values of quality, diversity and design integrity, Ghostly has garnered praise from around the globe, garnering respect of the international media, including Hot Label of the year in Rolling Stone and a coveted spot on the Late John Peel's BBC show.
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