20 years of independent music
The story of Photo Finish Records, from New York venues to chart hits.
Drop the needleMatt Galle started Photo Finish after seeing unsigned artists build real audiences on tour. The label has focused on artist development since 2006.
“I wanted to take the vision from building acts up in the live space and give them an outlet to release their music with that same synergy.”Matt Galle · Founder
Pulled from drawers, hard drives and old walls
Flyers, logo experiments, stage light, office dogs and the pieces of paper that made a label feel real.
From all-ages rooms to the Hot 100
The first years were built around live shows, Warped Tour, and records that grew through word of mouth and radio.
Growing up outside Boston, Matt Galle promoted all-ages hardcore and hip-hop shows in churches, halls and VFWs. He opened The Kenmore Agency in 2000, moved to New York in 2003 and helped build The Bamboozle. A consulting run with Interscope clarified the missing piece: stay close to the artist and keep control of the decisions.
Four eras · twenty years
Press play, use the arrows, or drag directly to a year.
Two commercials changed everything
Apple AirPods · 2017
When Apple launched its first AirPods campaign in January 2017, a song moving roughly 100 downloads a week suddenly had a worldwide stage. Follow the leap from sync to search, radio, television and Platinum.
Play the original Apple adPlay the AirPods ad that introduced “Down” to a worldwide audience, then follow the record’s chart run below.
Apple · AirPods · Marian Hill“Down” does not find its place right away, but later anchors Marian Hill’s debut album ACT ONE. The spare piano, negative space and Samantha Gongol’s vocal are already built for a screen.
Explore Marian Hill on Apple MusicMacBook Air · 2018
On October 30, 2018, a MacBook Air moved through a sheet of blue fabric while Chelsea Lee’s voice asked the world to dream. Follow how one placement kept finding a larger ceiling.
Play the original Apple adPlay the MacBook Air ad featuring “Trampoline,” then follow the record’s chart run below.
Apple · MacBook Air · SHAEDApple unveils the new MacBook Air in Brooklyn with “Trampoline” in its global launch film.
Watch the MacBook Air adFour key records
3OH!3
The first Photo Finish track to reach No. 1 at a U.S. radio format.
Current roster · 2026
We keep the roster small so the team can work closely with every artist.
All Time LowJoined 2024Basement Noise / arena pop-punkTheir artist-run imprint opened with The Forever Sessions Vol. 1, followed by Everyone’s Talking! and the Alternative Airplay No. 1 “The Weather.”
The MaineJoined 20218123 / alternative rockThree joint releases so far: XOXO, The Maine, and the band’s tenth album, Joy Next Door.
MisterWivesJoined 2013 · returned 2021Resilient Little / indie popSigned after one show, left for a major, then returned for an independent chapter led by Nosebleeds and its fifteen-guest Encore.
Mckenna GraceJoined 2020Pop-punk / singer-songwriterDeveloped from a film actor with no released music into a festival performer and Billboard chart-topping featured vocalist.
joanJoined 2020Indie popThe Little Rock duo followed a run of EPs with superglue and 2025’s this won’t last forever.
Colby T. HelmsJoined 2023Country-folkA voice from Boones Mill, Virginia, heard “within 10 seconds” and introduced on the debut album Tales of Misfortune.
Moody JoodyJoined 2024Indie popThe Nashville trio supported MisterWives and announced the debut album Plain Jane for October 2026.
she’s greenJoined 2025ShoegazeThe Minneapolis quintet joined with “Graze,” then released swallowtail and toured with Blondshell and Turnover.
Sorry My LoveJoined 2025Pop-punk collaborationDillon Francis and Albert Hype’s left turn into pop-punk began with “Forget” featuring Waterparks.
Growing PainsJoined 2026Dream pop / indie rockThe Portland quartet joined for debut album Daniel Loves Mandy Forever, due October 9, after introducing the era with “Swimming,” “Drive,” “Crush” and “Bottle Rocket.”
The Photo Finish team
Listed by years at the company.
“We don’t sign a lot of artists to the label, on purpose. There’s just seven of us, so we’re all driven.”Matt Galle · 2021
What’s next
Photo Finish continues to sign and develop artists across genres.
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