Dave Sutton is a writer, curator, and communications professional based in New York’s Hudson Valley, working primarily around independent music and culture.

From 2017 to 2025, he led communications, PR strategy, and editorial at the record label Ghostly International. In 2023, his remit expanded to include the drink sum wtr label as part of All Flowers Group, affiliated with Secretly Group and Secretly Distribution. He remains a creative consultant for the label group.

In 2026, he ventured into the nonprofit sector, helping his local Habitat For Humanity develop language and outreach for a new initiative to build more starter homes in their region. He also began working with Cabinet of Wonder, a multimedia collaboration between Natalie Merchant, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Chicago Children’s Theatre.

Sutton was previously behind the curatorial voice of Hype Machine from 2012 to 2025, publishing its music-discovery newsletter, Stack, alongside managing stage logistics and talent for its Hype Hotel series during South by Southwest.

In a freelance capacity, he works with musicians to shape their stories through artist biographies and album one-sheet copy. Clients include Captured Tracks, Dais Records, Dead Oceans, drink sum wtr, Ghostly International, Mexican Summer, Nettwerk Music Group, Nonesuch Records, RVNG Intl., Secret City Records, and Western Vinyl, spanning releases across electronic, hip-hop, indie, jazz, pop, R&B, and beyond.

Around the edges, he has run Stadiums & Shrines, an exploration of music through language, imagery, and collaboration. In 2018, S&S partnered with Cascine to release Dreams, a retrospective compilation record and gatefold book featuring contributions from 20+ artists. Press included BBC Radio, The Fader, Pitchfork, Stereogum, and VICE.