M/GM 1 : A Flash-y Collaboration

We spoke to Ghostly International founder and CEO Sam Valenti about their recent collaboration with the influential Soho design boutique, Moss. In essence, it is a beautifully designed USB memory device with the iconic Ghostly Logo, containing a range of music from label artists, including Matthew Dear, Dabrye, and Mobius Band. According to the press release:

Valenti conceptualized a flash memory device – the kind most commonly used as portable storage for computer files – as the perfect medium with which to bring the Moss and Ghostly brands together. Designed by Kristin Victoria Barron, M/GM 1 is roughly the size of a pack of gum, and its black casing bears both Moss and Ghostly logos. The versatile device can be used for data storage of any sort, a feature that follows from Ghostly’s encouragement of file sharing and desire to make music as portable and transferable as possible.

Valenti told PSFK, "The collaboration was really exciting as there’s very few retail spaces as rarefied as Moss.  I felt that the "CD for the store/hotel/bar" thing had been done ad nauseam so we tried to achieve something simple that was a design object unto itself."

In addition, the label is servicing the new Matthew Dear album, Asa Breed, to a select group of music editors in the memory device. Backspin Promotions publicist Gamall Awad told PSFK, "We really wanted something that stands out so people pay attention. Music reviewers are spoiled nowadays and nothing seems special."

With these editors no doubt bombarded with a bevy of digital promos over email and CD’s through the post, this is an interesting approach indeed. By providing a beautifully designed, highly personal device to consume media, they are cutting through the clutter and fragmentation to make sure the album is heard.