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Photo Finish Records

{{short description|American independent record label}}

{{Update|date=April 2021}}

{{Use American English|date=October 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}

{{Infobox record label

| name = Photo Finish Records

| founded = {{start date|2006}}

| founder = Matt Galle

| distributor = Universal (via Virgin Music Label & Artist Services){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7407896/photo-finish-records-caroline-partnership|title=Photo Finish Records Inks Partnership With Caroline: Exclusive|magazine=Billboard |access-date=28 June 2016}}

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| country = United States

| location = New York City

| website = {{URL|www.photofinishrecords.com}}

}}

Photo Finish Records is an American independent record label founded by Matt Galle in 2006. Based in New York City, the label specializes in alternative rock, pop, and electronic artists. It was first distributed through Atlantic Records, then Universal Music Group. Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, which is owned by UMG, is its current distributor.{{cite news | last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=16 December 2019 |title= Growing Shaed: How 2019's Top Alternative Hit Was Launched, 'Doubters' Be Damned |url= https://variety.com/2019/music/news/shaed-label-photo-finish-matt-galle-interview-1203426993/ |access-date=15 September 2020 }}

History

=Atlantic Records (2006–12)=

In 2006, Photo Finish and Matt Galle signed a joint venture deal with Atlantic Records. Their first release was the debut self-titled five-song EP from the New-York-based post-hardcore band Envy on the Coast,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/envy-on-the-coast-mw0000566348|title=Envy on the Coast - Envy on the Coast {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=15 September 2020}} followed by the debut EP and studio album from Washington-based rock band Danger Radio.{{cite web | url=http://punkmusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/dangerradiopunc.htm | title=Review of Punch Your Lights Out | work=About.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920230303/http://punkmusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/dangerradiopunc.htm | archive-date=September 20, 2011 | url-status=dead }}

The label garnered major success with the debut album from the Colorado-based duo 3OH!3, WANT, which peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, while their song "Don't Trust Me" went to #1 on the Top 40 Charts, eventually selling over 3 million digital copies.{{cite web|url=https://colomusic.org/profile/3oh3/ |title=3OH!3 Profile – Colorado Music Experience|date=2 July 2018|publisher=Billboard |access-date=15 September 2020}}{{cite web| url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/3oh3/chart-history/tfm/ | title= Billboard.com: 3OH!3 Chart History |website=billboard.com | access-date=15 September 2020 }}

In August 2008, Photo Finish released the debut album by Anthony Green, Avalon, which debuted at number 44 on the Billboard charts, the label's most successful first-week performance for a release.{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/anthony-green |title=Anthony Green Chart History |website=billboard.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }} In 2010, the Virginia-based band The Downtown Fiction’s song I Just Wanna Run played on the season premiere of Jersey Shore; the track ultimately went Gold.{{cite web |url= http://truthaboutmusic.com/truthaboutmusic/2010/07/30/harris-song-of-the-week-i-just-wanna-run-by-the-downtown-fiction/ |title= Harris' Song of the Week: I Just Wanna Run by The Downtown Fiction |last=Decker |first=Harris |date=30 July 2010 |website=truthaboutmusic.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }}

=Universal Music Group (2012–present)=

In 2012, Galle brought the label to Island Def Jam and Republic Records, distributed by Universal Music Group.{{cite news | last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=16 December 2019 |title= Growing Shaed: How 2019's Top Alternative Hit Was Launched, 'Doubters' Be Damned |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/photo-finish-records-matt-galle-island-barry-weiss-360069 |access-date=15 September 2020}}

In October of that year, Photo Finish released the EP Love’s Not Dead by The Mowgli's. The accompanying single “San Francisco” became iTunes’ Single of the Week, peaking at #12 on the Alternative Music Chart and #3 on the AAA Radio Chart.{{cite web| url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-mowglis/chart-history/mrt/ | title=Mowgli's "San Francisco" Chart History |website=billboard.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }} Subsequent releases included their debut album Waiting for the Dawn in 2013 and the follow-up Kids in Love in 2014.

2014 also saw the release of Reflections, the debut EP of the New-York-City based band MisterWives, the title song of which became iTunes’ Single of the Week in January and peaked at #13 on the Billboard rock chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/misterwives-mn0003206766/awards|title=MisterWives {{!}} Awards {{!}} AllMusic|work=AllMusic|publisher=All Media Network|access-date=10 July 2015}} ultimately going Gold in the U.S. and selling 2 million (equivalents), followed by the band’s debut album Our Own House in 2015. That year, MisterWives was chosen as an MTV “Artist to Watch.”{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2068911/mtv-artist-to-watch-livestream-house-of-blues/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206091429/http://www.mtv.com/news/2068911/mtv-artist-to-watch-livestream-house-of-blues/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |title=MTV News: Artist to Watch |last=Ehrlich |first=Brenna |date=2 February 2015 |website=mtv.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }}

After being chosen for an Apple AirPods commercial, the song “Down” by Marian Hill went Platinum and sold nearly six million track equivalents worldwide,{{cite news |last=LeDonne |first=Rob |date=May 3, 2017 |title= How an Apple Commercial Catapulted Marian Hill Into the Mainstream |url=https://observer.com/2017/05/apple-commercial-marian-hill-down-song-interview/ |work=observer.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }} reaching #10 on the Top 40, #13 at Rhythmic, #15 at Alternative, and #17 on Hot AC Radio, while at the same time becoming the most-Shazam’d song in the U.S., according to Rolling Stone magazine.{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Maura |author-link=Maura Johnston |date=22 March 2017 |title= Meet Marian Hill, the Most Shazam'd Band in America |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/meet-marian-hill-the-most-shazamd-band-in-america-117909/| work=rollingstone.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }}

==Caroline Distribution/Virgin Music Label & Artist Services (2016–present)==

In 2016, Photo Finish made a distribution deal with Caroline Distribution, establishing the label as an independent entity to work with artists including SHAED, ROZES, guardin, Joan, Handsome Ghost, and Lakeview.{{cite news |last=Lorge |first=Melinda |date=27 March 2020 |title=Country Next: LAKEVIEW |url=https://www.countrynow.com/country-next-lakeview/| work=countrynow.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }}

In September 2016, Photo Finish released Just Wanna See, the debut EP by SHAED,{{Cite web |last=Barr |first=Natalie |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/shaed|title=SHAED |date=January 30, 2017| website=Interview Magazine|access-date=14 December 2018}} whose single "Name On It" was the featured track for a Victoria's Secret commercial.{{Citation|author=Victoria's Secret|title=Victoria's Secret Stretch Cotton Collection Commercial|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkS_ZR1NR-o|access-date=14 December 2018|via=YouTube|date=May 15, 2018}} SHAED’s single "Trampoline", from their follow-up EP Melt, was featured in a MacBook Air commercial in October, 2018, and was the #1 song on Alternative Radio for the entire year of 2019, garnering over 3 billion in US radio audience and over 7 million worldwide sales (equivalents).{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/shaed-apple-ad-billie-eilish-marian-hill-songs-for-screens-1203168163/|title=Songs for Screens: Shaed Is the Latest Act to Get Rocket Fuel From an Apple Ad|work=Variety|last=Hampp|first=Andrew|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=11 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sounds-familiar.info/2018/10/apple-macbook-air-lightness/|title=MacBook Air Advert Music|date=October 31, 2018|access-date=10 September 2019}} The song reached number one on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-songs/2019-06-08|title=Alternative Songs: June 8, 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=11 June 2019}} and went double platinum in the United States, Canada, and India.{{cite news| last=Cantor |first=Brian |title= SHAED's "Trampoline" Scores Double Platinum Certification In United States |url= https://headlineplanet.com/home/2020/03/25/shaeds-trampoline-scores-double-platinum-certification-in-united-states/ |work=headlineplanet.com |access-date=15 September 2020 }}

In 2017, Photo Finish released the debut EP by ROZES.{{cite web|url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=306954|title = HITS Daily Double : Rumor Mill - PHOTO FINISH SNAPS UP ROZES}}{{Citation|title=i don't know where i'm going, but i'm on my way - EP by ROZES|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-dont-know-where-im-going-but-im-on-my-way-ep/1429204429|language=en-us|access-date=4 February 2019}} ROZES’s song "Halfway There" was the official anthem to the 2019 Women's March on NYC via The Women's March Alliance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/rozes-new-song-halfway-there-is-the-2019-womens-march-anthem-that-you-need-to-hear-immediately-listen-15647772|title=Meet The Singer Behind The Official Anthem Of The 2019 Women's March|website=Bustle|date=January 4, 2019 |language=en|access-date=4 February 2019}}

Artists

=Current artists=

  • Handsome Ghost
  • SHAED
  • Rozes
  • Culpriit
  • Mckenna Grace
  • guardin
  • Elliot Lee
  • Lakeview
  • Moody Joody
  • She’s Green
  • joan
  • 3OH!3{{Cite web|last=Dowd|first=Rachael|date=November 9, 2020|title=SEE HOW 3OH!3 RETURNED TO THEIR ROOTS WITH FIRST NEW MUSIC IN FOUR YEARS|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/3oh3-new-music-video-teaser/|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=Alternative Press}}
  • The Maine
  • MisterWives{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/misterwives-label-photo-finish-independent-1235275454/|title=How MisterWives Went from Being Dropped by a Label Mid-Pandemic to Launching Their Own with Photo Finish (EXCLUSIVE) |date=May 25, 2022 }}

=Former artists=

Discography

=Studio albums / EPs =

2023 Bittersweet 16

2021 PAW Patrol: The Movie (Music from The Motion Picture)

2018 MELT EP

  • Artist: SHAED
  • Released: September 21, 2018
  • Genre: Indie

2018 I Don't Know Where I'm Going, But I'm On My Way EP

  • Artist: ROZES
  • Released: August 24, 2018
  • Genre: POP

2018 AUTOP$Y EP

  • Artist: L.I.F.T
  • Released: June 8, 2018
  • Genre: Alternative

2018 Welcome Back

  • Artist: Handsome Ghost
  • Released: February 9, 2018
  • Genre: Indie

2017 Connect The Dots

  • Artist: MISTERWIVES
  • Released: Spring 2017
  • Genre: Alternative

2016

The Brilliant Glow

  • Artist: Handsome Ghost
  • Released: Fall 2016
  • Genre: Alternative

2016

Where'd Your Weekend Go?

  • Artist: The Mowgli's
  • Released: Fall 2016
  • Genre: Alternative

2016

Just Wanna See EP

  • Artist: SHAED
  • Released: Fall 2016
  • Genre: Alternative

2015

Kids in Love

  • Artist: The Mowgli's
  • Released: Spring 2015
  • Genre: Alternative

2015

Our Own House

  • Artist: MisterWives
  • Released: Spring 2015
  • Genre: Alternative

2013

Snapshot

  • Artist: The Strypes
  • Released: Sept 9, 2013
  • Genre: Alternative

2013

Waiting for The Dawn

  • Artist: The Mowgli's
  • Released: Winter 2013
  • Genre: Alternative

2013

Omens

  • Artist: 3OH!3
  • Released: June 18, 2013
  • Genre: Alternative

2012

Beautiful Things

  • Artist: Anthony Green
  • Released: January 13, 2012
  • Genre: Alternative

2011

Let's Be Animals

  • Artist: The Downtown Fiction
  • Released: Spring 2011
  • Genre: Pop punk

=Studio albums=

class=wikitable style=text-align:center;
rowspan="2" style="width:20px;"| Year

! rowspan="2" style="width:280px;"|Album details

! colspan="3"|Chart positions

width=35| US

!width=35| AUS

!width=35| CAN

2011

| align=left|Let's Be Animals

  • Artist: The Downtown Fiction
  • Released: Spring 2011
  • Genre: Pop punk

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2010

| align=left|Welcome to the Breakdown

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2010

| align=left|Race You to the Bottom

  • Artist: New Medicine
  • Released: September 27, 2010
  • Genre: Hard rock

| style="text-align:center;"| 104

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2009

| align=left|Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive)

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2008

| align=left|Avalon

| style="text-align:center;"| 44

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2008

| align=left|Want

| style="text-align:center;"| 44

| style="text-align:center;"| 4

| style="text-align:center;"| 47

2008

| align=left|Used and Abused

  • Artist: Danger Radio
  • Released: July 8, 2008
  • Genre: Power pop

| style="text-align:center;"| 198

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2007

| align=left|Punch Your Lights Out EP

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2007

| align=left|Lucy Gray

| style="text-align:center;"| 11 Heatseakers

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2006

| align=left|Envy on the Coast EP

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

=Singles=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Artist

! rowspan="2"| Single

! colspan="9"| Peak chart positions

! rowspan="2"| Certifications

! rowspan="2"| Album

style="font-size:smaller;"

! style="width:35px;"| US Hot 100

! style="width:35px;"| Billboard US Pop

! style="width:35px;"| CAN

! style="width:35px;"| AUS

! style="width:35px;"| FIN

! style="width:35px;"| NZ

! style="width:35px;"| UK

! style="width:35px;"| IRE

! style="width:35px;"| GER

2008

| 3OH!3

| style="text-align:left;"| "Don't Trust Me"

| 7

| 1

| 6

| 3

| 5

| 8

| 21

| 17

| 95

| align="left"|AUS: Platinum{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accr.htm|title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2009 Singles|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=27 November 2009}}
US: 2× Platinum

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| Want (and Deluxe Edition)

2009

| 3OH!3

| style="text-align:left;"| "Starstrukk" (featuring Katy Perry)

| 66

| 25

| 31

| 4

| —

| 16

| 3

| —

| —

| align="left"|US: Gold

colspan="13" style="font-size: 8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{official website|http://www.photofinishrecords.com/}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:American independent record labels

Category:Record labels established in 2006

Category:Labels distributed by Warner Music Group

Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group