Two of the independent music community's leading institutions, Secretly and Ghostly International, have announced a strategic partnership.

The consolidation will merge both companies' publishing and recording entities. Under the new deal, both the record label Ghostly International and publisher Ghostly Songs are now Secretly affiliates, with Ghostly Songs administered through Secretly Publishing.

Ghostly International founder Sam Valenti IV will become a managing partner of Secretly, as Secretly Group owners Ben Swanson, Chris Swanson, Darius Van Arman, and Phil Waldorf become partners in Ghostly International's music operations.

"It's a very personal affair, music," says Valenti. "It's hopes and dreams and ambitions for artists. It's their lives, and yours. Trust and intention are focal to even starting, let alone finding new partners. Since Secretly started distributing Ghostly International in 2013, it's been a dream to work alongside an ethical and creative family of labels, not to mention our most productive phase as a label. It has given us the confidence to keep building."

Secretly's Van Arman added, "Our belief is that the most important contributions to culture come from individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. Rather than growing just for growth's sake, we choose to work with extraordinary artists and creative partners like Ghostly, to help truly nourish their creative works while maximizing their impact."

Secretly had its highest revenue year in 2019, with acclaimed releases by Bon Iver, Better Oblivion Community Center, Jamila Woods, Whitney, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten and others, topping many year-end lists and earning four Grammy nominations, including Album, Song, and Record of the Year. Ghostly celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019, while continuing to build on a discography of 500+ releases.