In the gritty depths of a Brooklyn record store basement in 2007, Sacred Bones Records emerged from the creative vision of Caleb Braaten, transforming from a modest DIY project into one of independent music‘s most distinctive and respected labels.
Now operating from a Greenpoint warehouse, the label has amassed over 140 releases spanning punk, experimental noise, synth, post-punk, and an array of genre-defying sounds that have earned it acclaim from publications like The Wire and Billboard.
The recent alignment between Sacred Bones and Secretly’s All Flowers Group represents a significant shift in the independent music landscape, bringing together two formidable forces in the indie world.
Sacred Bones’ roster—featuring artists like Zola Jesus, David Lynch, John Carpenter, and Molchat Doma—will now benefit from Secretly’s extensive distribution network while maintaining the label’s fiercely independent ethos that has defined it for over fifteen years.
Sacred Bones has distinguished itself not just through music but through a cohesive visual identity that makes its releases instantly recognizable to collectors and enthusiasts.
This aesthetic sensibility extends beyond album covers to encompass the label’s entire brand identity, creating what many consider a holistic artistic experience. The label’s consistent design approach stems from a thoughtful collaboration between Braaten and head designer David Correll since the very first release.
The label’s penchant for reissuing obscure or cult recordings, including Mort Garson’s “Mother Earth’s Plantasia” and works by Townes Van Zandt, has further cemented its reputation as a cultural curator.
Under the new partnership, Sacred Bones will continue its tradition of vinyl-focused releases while gaining expanded resources for its cross-media initiatives involving film, publishing, and experimental projects.
The label’s commitment to physical media has made many of its releases sought-after collectors’ items that increase in value over time. Artists on the roster can leverage social media platforms to build deeper connections with their dedicated fanbase while maintaining the label’s distinctive aesthetic.
For the All Flowers Group, incorporating Sacred Bones’ forward-thinking catalog strengthens its position in experimental and boundary-pushing music circles, adding another influential voice to its collective of independent labels that champion artistic integrity over commercial considerations. The partnership also opens potential new sync deal opportunities for Sacred Bones artists to license their distinctive sounds for film, TV, and commercial projects.
The label has received significant recognition for finding shades of darkness in music across various genres, as noted in early coverage by The Village Voice.
