Captured Tracks

Captured Tracks is an American independent label founded in 2008 by Mike Sniper in Brooklyn, New York. It is home to The Lemon Twigs, girlpuppy, Juan Wauters, Widowspeak, GIFT, THUS LOVE, and Drahla. The label's 2026 releases include The Lemon Twigs' Look For Your Mind (May 8, 2026), girlpuppy's Sweetness Deluxe (May 29, 2026), and Widowspeak's Roses (June 5, 2026). Captured Tracks is part of the Omnian Music Group, with press and contact handled through rachel@omnianmusicgroup.com.

Captured Tracks built its reputation on lo-fi indie pop and dream pop in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Its early signings (Beach Fossils, Wild Nothing, Mac DeMarco) defined the Brooklyn indie pop sound of that era. The modern roster has evolved toward more sophisticated songwriting and production, exemplified by The Lemon Twigs' Brian Wilson-influenced pop and girlpuppy's confessional indie rock. The Lemon Twigs' 2026 album Look For Your Mind is their third for Captured Tracks, following Everything Harmony (2023) and A Dream Is All We Know (2024).

How Captured Tracks Operates

Captured Tracks runs dedicated A&R within the Omnian Music Group from its Brooklyn base. The label is highly selective and signs artists with distinct indie rock, indie pop, or psychedelic identities. Its 2026 release schedule shows continued investment in its core roster (The Lemon Twigs, girlpuppy, Widowspeak) rather than aggressive new signings. The label's strength is its curatorial consistency and its ability to develop artists across multiple album cycles.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make indie rock, indie pop, psychedelic, or dream pop with strong songwriting, Captured Tracks is a respected Brooklyn independent label with a track record of developing artists across multiple albums. Its roster of critically acclaimed artists (The Lemon Twigs, girlpuppy) shows it can sustain careers in the indie rock space.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Highly selective: Captured Tracks signs very few artists each year.
• No unsolicited demos: Captured Tracks does not accept cold submissions.
• Indie aesthetic: The label has a distinct indie rock and pop aesthetic. Music outside that aesthetic will not fit.
• Small team: As part of the Omnian Music Group, the label has a small team with limited marketing bandwidth.

Notable Artists and Releases

Captured Tracks built its reputation on lo-fi indie pop and dream pop in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Below are 10 releases with available chart and sales data:

Captured Tracks releases typically sell between 10,000 and 100,000 copies. The label does not pursue radio promotion or mainstream chart placement. Its success is measured by critical reception, vinyl sales, and streaming longevity.

Video Highlights

Deal Structures

Captured Tracks operates as a small independent label within the Omnian Music Group:

1. Traditional recording deals: Captured Tracks signs artists to standard independent label contracts. The label owns or co-owns masters, provides recording budgets, vinyl pressing, and digital distribution. Advances are modest compared to major labels.
2. Single-album deals: The label frequently signs artists for one album at a time rather than multi-album deals. This allows both parties to evaluate the relationship before committing to a longer term.
3. Vinyl-focused releases: Captured Tracks prioritizes vinyl pressings, which generate significant revenue for indie labels. Many releases are available on limited-edition colored vinyl.
4. No 360 deals structures: Captured Tracks does not pursue 360-degree deals. The label focuses on recorded music revenue and does not take a percentage of touring or merchandise.
5. Omnian Music Group services: As part of the Omnian Music Group, Captured Tracks shares distribution, press, and administrative resources with other Omnian labels, reducing overhead costs.

How Artists Get Signed

Captured Tracks does not accept unsolicited demos. The signing process follows these steps:

1. Mike Sniper's curatorial vision: Founder Mike Sniper personally leads A&R. He signs artists whose music fits the label's distinct indie rock, indie pop, psychedelic, or dream pop aesthetic. His taste is the primary filter.
2. Scene monitoring: Sniper monitors Brooklyn and broader indie music scenes through Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and live shows. Beach Fossils, Wild Nothing, and Mac DeMarco were all discovered through their early online releases and live performances.
3. Referrals from existing roster: Artists on the label refer new acts. The Brooklyn indie community is tightly connected, and existing Captured Tracks artists often recommend new signings.
4. Critical reception and buzz: Captured Tracks signs artists who have already generated buzz from Pitchfork, Stereogum, or other indie music publications. The label does not develop artists from zero; it signs artists with existing critical attention.
5. Multi-album development: Once signed, Captured Tracks develops artists across multiple album cycles. The Lemon Twigs have released three albums on the label, and girlpuppy is being developed similarly.

Similar Labels

• Partisan Records - Brooklyn-based indie label with similar aesthetic
• Mexican Summer - Brooklyn indie label with psychedelic and dream pop roster
• Trouble in Mind Records - Indie label with similar lo-fi and garage rock focus
• Sacred Bones Records - Brooklyn indie label with dark psychedelic aesthetic
• Matador Records - Independent label with indie rock history
• Polyvinyl Record Co - Independent label with similar indie pop roster
• Omnian Music Group - Captured Tracks' parent company

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Captured Tracks deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The Brooklyn indie model
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an indie profile
• Partisan Records - A related Brooklyn indie label
• Captured Tracks Official Site - Roster and releases