Merge Records
Above all else, Merge is about releasing music by artists its staff respects and admires. The first couple of releases on Merge were cassettes: MRG 001 was Bricks' Winterspring. The cassette-only idea quickly ran its course, and soon the fledgling label was releasing a slew of seven-inches by local Chapel Hill bands (Superchunk, Angels Of Epistemology, Finger, Erectus Monotone), and nationally known bands (Seam, Coral, Breadwinner). The first full-length on Merge was Superchunk's Tossing Seeds, in April 1992. It was soon followed by Polvo's Cor-Crane Secret LP.
Since then, Merge has released over 150 recordings by bands from across the U.S. and around the world. What began in 1989 as a preposterous idea concocted by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan on a cross-country trip has expanded and flourished: operations have grown from boxes strewn about Ballance's bedroom to boxes strewn around a small house. McCaughan and Ballance still run the label, but they actually have a few employees these days, and the label continues to be centered around bringing together bands and creative-minded people.
Ashley Stove
Warm, friendly, fuzzy indie rock from North Carolina. Usually, the Ashley Stove is as playful as a big sloppy dog, though sometimes they're as sad as a rain cloud blocking the sun, but they're always sure to deliver straightforward songwriting and driving pop hooks.
All Summer Long
-
2001
The Clean
The Clean are the grand old patriarchs of New Zealand rock. For nearly a quarter century, the seminal group has pumped out a distinctive brand of punk-injected melodic pop, spiked with a strong streak of arty dissonance and atmospheric psychedelia.
Getaway
-
2001
The Clientele
Definitely retro, definitely daydreaming music, both good things. London's The Clientele play slow, nostalgic, drowsy rock that bears traces of Television and any number of sweet 'n' sad '60s pop bands. Should appeal to Galaxie 500 enthusiasts.
Suburban Light
-
2000
Lost Weekend EP
-
2002
Matt Elliott
Under his own name, Third Eye Foundation henchman Matt Elliott offers sinister, chaotic post-rock workouts that rely less on experimental electronics but are if anything more contorted and unnerving than his previous work.
The Mess We Made
-
2003
Crooked Fingers
Fans of Eric Bachmann's old band, the angular and dissonant Chapel Hill combo Archers of Loaf, may be surprised by his new solo project, Crooked Fingers, which sees Bachmann turn his sights toward bluesy down-home roots music, to stunning effect.
Reservoir Songs EP
-
2002
Annie Hayden
Jersey girl Annie Hayden caresses your ears with sublime folk-tinged pop. She's a superb songwriter with a voice as deliciously refreshing as a summer breeze.
The Rub
-
2000
Imperial Teen
San Francisco quartet Imperial Teen turns pop music on its ear with biting, hook-filled compositions that combine the timeless charm of gritty garage rock, three-chord pop-punk, and early '80s dance-pop. Among the most innovative and enjoyably twisted indie pop bands of the last decade.
On
-
2002
Lambchop
This raving mad collective of more than a dozen musicians drinks from the cup of nearly every imaginable American style -- Nashville country, Philly soul, Tin Pan Alley pop, avant-garde experimental, Broadway cabaret, the Las Vegas all-nude female revue -- producing a sound that's messy but smooth, absurd but soulful, a sound which people have been struggling to describe for nearly a decade.
Is a Woman
-
2002
Polvo
Polvo's dynamic, dissonant music blended classic indie rock tropes with Eastern musical influences and deliberately detuned guitars. The resulting din was often glorious, sometimes deafening, and always creative.
Celebrate the New Dark Age
-
1993
Portastatic
Superchunk frontman Mac McCaughan uses his Portastatic alias to indulge in all his other musical passions -- which include a taste for ambient, cinematic instrumentalism and his now legendary fondness for Brazilian tropicalia -- alongside fuzzy, brash indie rock songs.
De Mel De Melao
-
2000
Looking For Leonard
-
2001
The Summer of the Shark
-
2003
The Radar Bros.
The Radar Bros. make warm, shimmering, slow motion rock songs that sneak into your heart with low-key attitude and a countrified sheen. They are an old porch rocking chair on a warm summer's evening, a quiet moment with an good friend, and late afternoon sunlight washing over spring-green foothills.
The Singing Hatchet
And the Surrounding Mountains
-
2002
The Rock*A*Teens
This Georgian quartet has a really big, burnished Crock-Pot, and in it they've mixed up a whole bunch of different ingredients, including Phil Spectorish '60s pop, garage, punk, and rockabilly and they've spiced up the stew with copious melodrama and rock fuzz. Dinner's going to be a messy, wild, and occasionally dangerous affair, but it's going to be fun and it's sure going to taste good going down.
Sweet Bird of Youth
-
2000
Shark Quest
Intoxicating instrumentals that combine restrained manic energy and diverse stylistic influences. Just mix a little folk, a little rock, a little bluegrass, a little surf, and a whole lot of wonderful.
Man On Stilts
-
2000
Spaceheads
This British drums-and-trumpet duo makes some of the most unclassifiable and creative music around today, occupying a mysterious Bermuda Triangle bounded by experimental electronic, funk, and jazz. Sometimes very strange, frequently very groovy, always engaging.
The Time of the Ancient Astronaut
-
2001
Low Pressure
-
2002
Matt Suggs
Lovely countrified pop from ex-Butterglory guitarist/singer Matt Suggs.
His gently playful and slightly haunted songs will instantly soothe even the weariest ears. This music is open, honest, and simply irresistible.
Golden Days Before They End
-
2000
The Third Eye Foundation
Former Flying Saucer Attacker Matt Elliott combines splintery drum and bass, experimental noise, Fellini-esque carnival sounds, and a post-rock-inspired instrumental ethic to take your imagination to a dark, cobwebby place beyond the grave.
I Poo Poo On Your Juju
-
2001
Urchin
Urchin is quite properly named. Underwater love and musical outtakes The Abyss combine with moody synth harmonies, whispery samples, and backstage beats to submerge you in underwater DJ bliss. You'll wonder if you're drowning or dancing as Urchin waves break across your inner ear.
Urchin
-
1999
I Poo Poo On Your Juju
-
2001
Versus
New York's Versus has been writing beautiful rock songs for almost ten years. Expansive and intimate, sweet and sinister, restrained and dynamic, their songs are filled with more layers and textures than a swath of Amazonian rain forest.
Shangri-La
-
2000
hurrah
-
2000
