Merge Records: Difference between revisions

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Merge's early successes included [[Neutral Milk Hotel]]'s ''[[In the Aeroplane over the Sea]]'', [[The Magnetic Fields]]' ''[[69 Love Songs]]'', and [[Spoon (band)|Spoon]]'s ''[[Kill the Moonlight]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=Hart of the Matter |page=14 |work=[[CMJ New Music Report]] |date=July 26, 2004 |language=en  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N3cg1pAzMqkC&pg=PA14 }}</ref>
Merge's early successes included [[Neutral Milk Hotel]]'s ''[[In the Aeroplane over the Sea]]'', [[The Magnetic Fields]]' ''[[69 Love Songs]]'', and [[Spoon (band)|Spoon]]'s ''[[Kill the Moonlight]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=Hart of the Matter |page=14 |work=[[CMJ New Music Report]] |date=July 26, 2004 |language=en  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N3cg1pAzMqkC&pg=PA14 }}</ref>


The label's first album to reach the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] was [[Arcade Fire]]'s [[Funeral (Arcade Fire album)|''Funeral'']], a 2004 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/May/08/il/il22p.html |title=Pitchfork e-zine tells indie fans what's hot and not &#124; The Honolulu Advertiser &#124; Hawaii's Newspaper |publisher=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=May 8, 2005 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> Arcade Fire gave the label its then highest-charting release with their follow-up, 2007's ''[[Neon Bible]]'', which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prod1.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=32547263 |title=Arcade Fire's 'Neon Bible' Opens At No. 2 |website=prod1.cmj.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707052555/http://prod1.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=32547263 |archive-date=July 7, 2007}}</ref> and, later, reaching #1 with their third album, 2010's ''[[The Suburbs (Arcade Fire album)|The Suburbs]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i4b7c0879c181d50b19f05d4b90c9c2f2 |title=Arcade Fire And Taylor Swift Sweep In With New No. 1s |publisher=Billboard.biz |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=August 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816162242/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i4b7c0879c181d50b19f05d4b90c9c2f2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other Billboard Top Ten releases include Spoon's ''[[Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga]]'' and [[Transference (album)|''Transference'']], along with [[She & Him|She & Him's]] (actress/musician [[Zooey Deschanel]] along with [[M. Ward]], a popular Merge folk musician) [[Volume Two (She & Him album)|''Volume Two'']]. Other notable Merge releases include [[Caribou (musician)|Caribou's]] [[Polaris Prize]]-winning [[Andorra (album)|''Andorra'']], M. Ward's [[Hold Time (album)|''Hold Time'']], [[Camera Obscura (band)|Camera Obscura's]] ''[[Let's Get Out of This Country]]'', and She & Him's [[Volume One (She & Him album)|''Volume One'']].
The label's first album to reach the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] was [[Arcade Fire]]'s [[Funeral (Arcade Fire album)|''Funeral'']], a 2004 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/May/08/il/il22p.html |title=Pitchfork e-zine tells indie fans what's hot and not &#124; The Honolulu Advertiser &#124; Hawaii's Newspaper |publisher=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=May 8, 2005 |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> Arcade Fire gave the label its then highest-charting release with their follow-up, 2007's ''[[Neon Bible]]'', which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prod1.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=32547263 |title=Arcade Fire's 'Neon Bible' Opens At No. 2 |website=prod1.cmj.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707052555/http://prod1.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=32547263 |archive-date=July 7, 2007}}</ref> and, later, reaching #1 with their third album, 2010's ''[[The Suburbs (Arcade Fire album)|The Suburbs]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i4b7c0879c181d50b19f05d4b90c9c2f2 |title=Arcade Fire And Taylor Swift Sweep In With New No. 1s |publisher=Billboard.biz |access-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-date=August 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816162242/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i4b7c0879c181d50b19f05d4b90c9c2f2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other Billboard Top Ten releases include Spoon's ''[[Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga]]'' and [[Transference (album)|''Transference'']], along with [[She & Him|She & Him's]] (actress/musician [[Zooey Deschanel]] along with [[M. Ward]], a popular Merge folk musician) [[Volume Two (She & Him album)|''Volume Two'']]. Other notable Merge releases include [[Caribou (musician)|Caribou's]] [[Polaris Prize]]-winning [[Andorra (album)|''Andorra'']], M. Ward's [[Hold Time (album)|''Hold Time'']], [[Camera Obscura (band)|Camera Obscura's]] ''[[Let's Get Out of This Country]]'', and She & Him's [[Volume One (She & Him album)|''Volume One'']].


In February 2009, due to adverse market conditions it was announced that [[Touch and Go Records]] would no longer manufacture and distribute records for Merge and many other [[independent record label]]s;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wknc.org/blog/post/2333/pitchfork-says-touch-and-go-records-will-stop-releasing-new-music/ |title=Pitchfork says: Touch and Go Records will stop releasing new music. &#124; WKNC 88.1 FM Raleigh |website=Wknc.org |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609142934/http://wknc.org/blog/post/2333/pitchfork-says-touch-and-go-records-will-stop-releasing-new-music/ |archive-date=June 9, 2009 }}</ref> Merge had been "under the Touch and Go umbrella" ever since its 1992 release of ''[[Tossing Seeds: Singles 89–91|Tossing Seeds]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.newsobserver.com/beat/the-record-business-implosion-is-touch-and-go |title=On the Beat: David Menconi on music - The record business implosion is touch and go &#124; newsobserver.com blogs |publisher=Blogs.newsobserver.com |date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714180252/http://blogs.newsobserver.com/beat/the-record-business-implosion-is-touch-and-go |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref> Merge quickly reached an agreement with the [[Alternative Distribution Alliance]] to continue distribution of its releases.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/02/touch-go-to-cut.html |title= Touch and Go to cut staff, distribution services &#124; Pop & Hiss &#124; Los Angeles Times |publisher= Latimesblogs.latimes.com |date= February 18, 2009 |access-date= January 2, 2011}}</ref>
In February 2009, due to adverse market conditions it was announced that [[Touch and Go Records]] would no longer manufacture and distribute records for Merge and many other [[independent record label]]s;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wknc.org/blog/post/2333/pitchfork-says-touch-and-go-records-will-stop-releasing-new-music/ |title=Pitchfork says: Touch and Go Records will stop releasing new music. &#124; WKNC 88.1 FM Raleigh |website=Wknc.org |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609142934/http://wknc.org/blog/post/2333/pitchfork-says-touch-and-go-records-will-stop-releasing-new-music/ |archive-date=June 9, 2009 }}</ref> Merge had been "under the Touch and Go umbrella" ever since its 1992 release of ''[[Tossing Seeds: Singles 89–91|Tossing Seeds]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.newsobserver.com/beat/the-record-business-implosion-is-touch-and-go |title=On the Beat: David Menconi on music - The record business implosion is touch and go &#124; newsobserver.com blogs |publisher=Blogs.newsobserver.com |date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714180252/http://blogs.newsobserver.com/beat/the-record-business-implosion-is-touch-and-go |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref> Merge quickly reached an agreement with the [[Alternative Distribution Alliance]] to continue distribution of its releases.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/02/touch-go-to-cut.html |title= Touch and Go to cut staff, distribution services &#124; Pop & Hiss &#124; Los Angeles Times |publisher= Latimesblogs.latimes.com |date= February 18, 2009 |access-date= January 2, 2011}}</ref>
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In August 2010, Merge Records released Arcade Fire's [[The Suburbs (Arcade Fire album)|''The Suburbs'']] to critical acclaim, preceding the band's headlining appearance at [[Lollapalooza]]. The album went straight to number one on the U.S. and U.K. charts. Famed director and [[Monty Python]] member [[Terry Gilliam]] also directed a live online broadcast of the band's concert from the historic [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City|New York]] following the album's release, which was streamed live by an estimated 1.8 million unique viewers. [[The Suburbs (Arcade Fire album)|''The Suburbs'']] won the Grammy for Album of the Year at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 13, 2011.
In August 2010, Merge Records released Arcade Fire's [[The Suburbs (Arcade Fire album)|''The Suburbs'']] to critical acclaim, preceding the band's headlining appearance at [[Lollapalooza]]. The album went straight to number one on the U.S. and U.K. charts. Famed director and [[Monty Python]] member [[Terry Gilliam]] also directed a live online broadcast of the band's concert from the historic [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City|New York]] following the album's release, which was streamed live by an estimated 1.8 million unique viewers. [[The Suburbs (Arcade Fire album)|''The Suburbs'']] won the Grammy for Album of the Year at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 13, 2011.
On June 10, 2025, [[Secretly Group]] purchased a 50% stake in Merge Records after years of handling their distribution. In the same press release, Merge announced the departure of co-owner [[Laura Ballance]], who had been with the label since its inception in 1989. [[Mac McCaughan]] remains the sole president and head of A&R.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=2025-06-10 |title=Secretly Group and Merge Records Form Partnership |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/secretly-group-and-merge-records-form-partnership/ |url-status=live |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref>


==Artists==
==Artists==

Latest revision as of 03:47, 19 June 2025

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Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as an outlet for music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world, with records reaching the top of the Billboard music charts.

History

After releasing a number of 7" records and cassettes, the first Merge Records full-length CD release came on April 1, 1992, with MRG020 Superchunk—Tossing Seeds, the band's first collection of singles.

Merge's early successes included Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane over the Sea, The Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs, and Spoon's Kill the Moonlight.[1]

The label's first album to reach the Billboard 200 was Arcade Fire's Funeral, a 2004 release.[2] Arcade Fire gave the label its then highest-charting release with their follow-up, 2007's Neon Bible, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200,[3] and, later, reaching #1 with their third album, 2010's The Suburbs.[4] Other Billboard Top Ten releases include Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and Transference, along with She & Him's (actress/musician Zooey Deschanel along with M. Ward, a popular Merge folk musician) Volume Two. Other notable Merge releases include Caribou's Polaris Prize-winning Andorra, M. Ward's Hold Time, Camera Obscura's Let's Get Out of This Country, and She & Him's Volume One.

In February 2009, due to adverse market conditions it was announced that Touch and Go Records would no longer manufacture and distribute records for Merge and many other independent record labels;[5] Merge had been "under the Touch and Go umbrella" ever since its 1992 release of Tossing Seeds.[6] Merge quickly reached an agreement with the Alternative Distribution Alliance to continue distribution of its releases.[7]

In September 2009, Algonquin Paperbacks released Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records, a book chronicling the label's history.[8] This followed a 6-day music festival in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC, featuring over 40 Merge acts from around the world[9] celebrating the 20th anniversary of the label's first release. The label also released a subscription-only 17-disc box set SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records[10] throughout the 20th anniversary year curated by pop culture tastemakers such as David Byrne, Amy Poehler, Zach Galifianakis, Jonathan Lethem, Peter Buck, David Chang, Mindy Kaling and more, with all proceeds going to charities.

In August 2010, Merge Records released Arcade Fire's The Suburbs to critical acclaim, preceding the band's headlining appearance at Lollapalooza. The album went straight to number one on the U.S. and U.K. charts. Famed director and Monty Python member Terry Gilliam also directed a live online broadcast of the band's concert from the historic Madison Square Garden in New York following the album's release, which was streamed live by an estimated 1.8 million unique viewers. The Suburbs won the Grammy for Album of the Year at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 13, 2011.

On June 10, 2025, Secretly Group purchased a 50% stake in Merge Records after years of handling their distribution. In the same press release, Merge announced the departure of co-owner Laura Ballance, who had been with the label since its inception in 1989. Mac McCaughan remains the sole president and head of A&R.[11]

Artists

List of artists adapted from Merge Records website.[12] Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

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