BELONGING

On their new album BELONGING, Minneapolis-based Ghosting Merit embarks on a new chapter. Initially conceived of as a duo project with Syd Casey at the helm, the first batch of Ghosting Merit songs were completed during a tumultuous period spent living in New Orleans. But after Casey returned to the Twin Cities in early 2024, the project began to shift and expand, inviting in outside collaborators for the first time, and opening up to a more expansive view while maintaining the quietly insightful songwriting that is the core of the project.

Translating their love of experimental electronic music into the language of indie guitar rock, the songs on BELONGING take their time, building to catharsis when the moment calls for it, but never in a hurry. They take cues from artists like Alex G, Mitski, Big Thief, Soccer Mommy, and others. Mixed by Alex Schaaf (Yellow Ostrich) and mastered by Nat Harvie (Low, Alan Sparhawk, Trampled by Turtles), the songs have a muscular quality to them, ranging from alt-rock bangers like opener “Rescue Hound” to moody ballads like “Devour” and “Branches.”

Having bounced around many different environments while growing up, Casey has always worked to find stability in the midst of transitions, both literally as a trans person but also within relationships, friendships, and physical space. “I wanna stop wanting a sense of belonging / I wanna be here” - the album title BELONGING stresses the contradictions inherent in this kind of life - always longing for something, while aching to be present and grounded at the same time.

Outer space is a recurring theme, but not in the context of tech billionaires taking a quick joyride - Casey is more concerned with finding awe and wonder in the connections between the macro and the micro - the Carl Sagan-esque “We are made of starstuff” kind of magic. There are explicit references to UFOs and satellites, but Casey’s most vivid writing lands right here on earth - mango juice and birch paper, fireflies and poppies, embers cooling into snow. Nature isn’t just a pretty sight out the window but rather a way of life, grounding oneself (literally) in the midst of uncertainty.

Casey has been building a dedicated following over the past couple of years, with their writing described by the Current as “deceptively simple, yet deeply impactful.” And besides Ghosting Merit, Casey is often tapped to lend their guitar talents elsewhere, whether it’s popping on stage with local legends Gully Boys or wailing on guitar as a dedicated member of Delicate Friend.

BELONGING was recorded largely at the Birdhaus in south Minneapolis, with a rotating crew of scene veterans acting as collaborators, including live bandmates Emma Garau (¿WATCHES?) on drums, Nathan Johnston (Ditch Pigeon, Fairy Boat) on bass, and Alex Schaaf (Yellow Ostrich) who contributed several instruments while also mixing the album. Other guests include Z Warpinski (Kansas Plates) on pedal steel, Mary Traxler (fruit form) on backing vocals, and others.

BELONGING comes out on Birdhaus Records on June 18, 2026, in both digital and vinyl format.