Merge Records http://www.mergerecords.com/blog Thu, 24 May 2012 19:55:34 +0000 en hourly 1 Wild Flag’s Carrie Brownstein talks post-show parties with Pitchfork.tv http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/jPJnWnHycww/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/wild-flags-carrie-brownstein-talks-post-show-parties-with-pitchfork-tv/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 19:08:45 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9338 Click here to view the embedded video.

Wild Flag on tour:
May 27 George, WA Sasquatch Music Festival
Jun 14 Chicago, IL Pitchfork Music Festival
Aug 03 Brooklyn, NY Celebrate Brooklyn at Prospect Park Bandshell

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/wild-flags-carrie-brownstein-talks-post-show-parties-with-pitchfork-tv/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/wild-flags-carrie-brownstein-talks-post-show-parties-with-pitchfork-tv/ Sugar – Copper Blue / Beaster / File Under: Easy Listening reissues trailer http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/PD0Sm1nnJl4/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/sugar-copper-blue-beaster-file-under-easy-listening-reissues-trailer/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 18:29:43 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9299 Click here to view the embedded video.

Pre-order Copper Blue / Beaster Deluxe Edition and File Under: Easy Listening or our special bundle of both now in the Merge store, and stream & download the first three tracks from Copper Blue performed live by the Bob Mould band at Noise Pop on February 24, 2012.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/sugar-copper-blue-beaster-file-under-easy-listening-reissues-trailer/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/sugar-copper-blue-beaster-file-under-easy-listening-reissues-trailer/ Arcade Fire join Mick Jagger on SNL tomorrow night! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/pfO6VwUC1ME/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/arcade-fire-join-mick-jagger-on-snl-tomorrow-night/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 17:03:06 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9287 ]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/arcade-fire-join-mick-jagger-on-snl-tomorrow-night/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/arcade-fire-join-mick-jagger-on-snl-tomorrow-night/ Apex Manor Song of the Day and Sampler http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/P1pe03vH6N0/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/apex-manor-song-of-the-day-and-sampler/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 14:42:21 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9280

Apex Manor‘s Ross Flournoy is busy working on new songs & selling pimento cheese to the greater Memphis area, but this week you can download a free NoiseTrade sampler of some of Ross’s best work from The Broken West to Apex Manor. Download the NoiseTrade sampler here.

Also today, download the Band Of The Day App to get a free sampling of Apex Manor tunes.

The Year of Magical Drinking is available in the Merge store and at your local record store now. Find Ross on Facebook & Twitter!

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/apex-manor-song-of-the-day-and-sampler/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/apex-manor-song-of-the-day-and-sampler/ M. Ward on The Late Show with David Letterman http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/V2wyDBvoOkI/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/m-ward-on-the-late-show-with-david-letterman/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 14:38:35 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9281 Click here to view the embedded video.

M. Ward’s new album A Wasteland Companion is available now on CD, LP and digital download.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/m-ward-on-the-late-show-with-david-letterman/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/m-ward-on-the-late-show-with-david-letterman/ Merge fans at Siren Records http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/mCK39HqJf2o/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/merge-fans-at-siren-records/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 19:47:27 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9267

Meet Rowan & Piper!

They are repping Merge hard. Their dads were too busy shredding with Evil-Merӧdach at Siren Records in Doylestown, PA to catch her getting up close and personal with our stickers. Thanks to Siren for sending these over! Go buy some records from them the next time you are in southeastern PA.

 

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/merge-fans-at-siren-records/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/merge-fans-at-siren-records/ The Magnetic Fields “Quick!” video http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/YNHEHqfY_zo/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/the-magnetic-fields-quick-video/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 14:52:52 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9246 Click here to view the embedded video.

The Magnetic Fields’ new album Love at the Bottom of the Sea is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/the-magnetic-fields-quick-video/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/the-magnetic-fields-quick-video/ Hospitality live from Waterloo Records at SXSW http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/iZbSyY5-xzQ/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/hospitality-live-from-waterloo-records-at-sxsw/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 17:26:20 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9236 Click here to view the embedded video.

Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.

Hospitality on tour:

May 12 Charlottesville, VA Tom Tom Festival
May 14 Washington, DC Black Cat #
May 15 Pittsburgh, PA Brillobox #
May 16 Bloomington, IN The Bishop #
May 18 Milwaukee, WI Stonefly Brewery #
May 19 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar #
May 21 Denver, CO Hi Dive #
May 22 Aspen, CO Belly Up #
May 23 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge #
May 24 Boise, ID Linen Building #
May 25 Portland, OR Bunk Bar #
May 27 George, WA Sasquatch Music Festival
May 31 San Francisco, CA Popscene Presents @ Rickshaw Stop
June 1 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite
June 2 Santa Barbara, CA Velvet Jones
June 4 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
June 5 Tucson, AZ Plush
June 8 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music
June 10 Cincinnati, OH MOTR Street Fair
July 5 Roskilde, DK Koskilde Festival

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/hospitality-live-from-waterloo-records-at-sxsw/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/hospitality-live-from-waterloo-records-at-sxsw/ The Magnetic Fields Live on WFUV & The Guardian http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/bS3mvHKkv0I/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/the-magnetic-fields-live-on-wfuv-the-guardian/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 14:55:01 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9220 Click here to view the embedded video.

The Magnetic Fields have wrapped up their North American tour and are currently in Europe, but before departure, Stephin visited WFUV in the Bronx for a live session from Studio A. Watch the session online now, and follow their European adventures at Tour at the Bottom of the Sea.

Stephin Merritt also visited the Guardian for another rendition of “Andrew in Drag.” Love at the Bottom of the Sea & Stephin Merritt’s Obscurities are on sale at Amazon MP3 for the month of May, and is available in the Merge store on CD, LP, and digital download. Also, a handful of limited-edition “Andrew in Drag” 7″ singles (b/w “When Next in Love I Fall”) have been found and listed in the Merge store!

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/the-magnetic-fields-live-on-wfuv-the-guardian/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/05/the-magnetic-fields-live-on-wfuv-the-guardian/ Occupational Hazard: “Voting is cool” edition http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/TOXnMWJJN-k/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/occupational-hazard-voting-is-cool-edition/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:18:00 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9188 An unusually nippy day for late April in NC had Nick & Jay reaching for their long-sleeved Merge tees! Also, voting early in NC is cool!

New, more spring-appropriate Merge tees are available in Green & Heather Indigo now in the Merge store!

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/occupational-hazard-voting-is-cool-edition/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/occupational-hazard-voting-is-cool-edition/ Destroyer, Wild Flag at Coachella http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/FjfI8lPj4fU/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/destroyer-wild-flag-at-coachella/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:30:12 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9148 Coachella‘s first weekend may have been a bit cloudy and cold but Wild Flag & Destroyer will usher in the sun for this weekend’s festivities. Watch videos below of Wild Flag performing “Romance” and “Electric Band,” and Dan Bejar & Co. playing “Kaputt” from the album of the same name.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Don’t forget to tune in to Coachella’s YouTube feed this weekend! Destroyer plays on Saturday at 2:30 Pacific, and Wild Flag on Sunday at 5:30 Pacific.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/destroyer-wild-flag-at-coachella/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/destroyer-wild-flag-at-coachella/ Eleanor Friedberger “I Won’t Fall Apart on You Tonight” video http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/xy6O4jGta9A/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/eleanor-friedberger-i-wont-fall-apart-on-you-tonight-video/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:48:54 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9135 Click here to view the embedded video.

Directed by Eleanor’s bass player Matt Asti, he writes:

The video was shot mainly in my apartment and my backyard.  It was inspired by Nirvana “Unplugged,” Paul Morrissey, John Hughes and Martha Stewart. The concept was to fall apart at night.

Catch the Eleanor Friedberger band on tour with Hospitality this spring.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/eleanor-friedberger-i-wont-fall-apart-on-you-tonight-video/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/eleanor-friedberger-i-wont-fall-apart-on-you-tonight-video/ Richard Buckner performs “Willow” at Horizon Records http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/bfXDejqhtnQ/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/richard-buckner-performs-willow-at-horizon-records/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:16:33 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9126 Click here to view the embedded video.

Richard Buckner stopped by Horizon Records in Greenville, SC a few months back & performed “Willow” from his upcoming Record Store Day 7″. RSD.com has the video, and while you’re there, make sure to find a participating store in your area. You can read about all of our Record Store Day Releases here.

Richard Buckner’s Our Blood is in stores now on CD, LP & digital download.

Richard Buckner on tour:
Apr 11 Felton CA Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
Apr 14 San Francisco CA Brick & Mortar Music Hall

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/richard-buckner-performs-willow-at-horizon-records/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/04/richard-buckner-performs-willow-at-horizon-records/ Report from the Art Department: The Music Tapes in Toronto http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/NavHHeQcwLw/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/report-from-the-art-department-the-music-tapes-in-toronto/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:40:19 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9097

Julian & Robbie in Toronto

Our art director Maggie who lives in Toronto sent us this report from her recent visit with The Music Tapes:

I met up with The Music Tapes’ Julian Koster and Robbie Cucchiaro in Toronto’s Kensington Market for pie. Down the street, they have been putting the finishing touches on their next project. They brought along a copy of the LP package for their out-of-print First Imaginary Symphony for Nomad as we spun ideas for a beautiful package to hold their next album.

Two hours in the company of these kind and radiant souls is like getting a Christmas present in March. You can have half an hour of Music Tapes stories, songs, and year-round Christmas magic through this video of their NPR Tiny Desk Concert recorded last December.

Visit the Merge store for all of your Music Tapes needs. If it’s pie you’re after, it’s Wanda’s Pie in the Sky you want.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/report-from-the-art-department-the-music-tapes-in-toronto/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/report-from-the-art-department-the-music-tapes-in-toronto/ The ladies of the Magnetic Fields bring you “Hookers & Blow” http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/DNCNcEfTDm0/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/the-ladies-of-the-magnetic-fields-bring-you-hookers-blow/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:21:52 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9092 Click here to view the embedded video.

See the Magnetic Fields on tour now & follow more exploits at their tour diary. Love at the Bottom of the Sea is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/the-ladies-of-the-magnetic-fields-bring-you-hookers-blow/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/the-ladies-of-the-magnetic-fields-bring-you-hookers-blow/ Imperial Teen visit KEXP at SXSW! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/NZxuiKSt_04/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/imperial-teen-visit-kexp-at-sxsw/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:04:13 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9068

from KEXP.org

Will, Jone, Roddy & Lynn visited KEXP who were broadcasting live from Mellow Johnny’s bike store in Austin, TX during SXSW. Playing hits both old & new, Imperial Teen brought the party!

Set list:
All The Same
Imperial Teen
No Matter What You Say
Over His Head
Runaway
Shim Sham

Listen to Imperial Teen KEXP performance from SXSW

Don’t forget our Imperial Teen contest! Download and print this PDF of the masks from the “Runaway” video, take pictures of you and your friends disguised as Will, Jone, Roddy, and Lynn somewhere fun in your hometown, and send your photos to us! The best contest photo will win a personalized Imperial Teen prize pack!

Imperial Teen will be at the Satellite in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 24. Feel the Sound is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/imperial-teen-visit-kexp-at-sxsw/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/imperial-teen-visit-kexp-at-sxsw/ Occupational Hazard: Spring Logo edition http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/Qm7mVEQ7U_s/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/occupational-hazard-spring-logo-edition/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:56:35 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9063 Reed & Spott saw the forecast for 80 degree weather in Durham, and simultaneously decided to bust out the spring heather blue Merge t’s. Get your own in the Merge store!

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/occupational-hazard-spring-logo-edition/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/occupational-hazard-spring-logo-edition/ Merge @ SXSW 2012 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/1Z5b_7HcHAs/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/merge-sxsw-2011-2/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:05:41 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=9038  

Just added: Ross from Apex Manor will be DJ’ing in-between sets at our showcase!

WEDNESDAY 3/14
M. Ward – KGSR performance – W Hotel, Main Ballroom (200 Lavaca St.) 8 am
M. Ward – KUT performance – Four Seasons Hotel, Main Ballroom (98 San Jacinto Blvd.) 9 am
Hospitality – Warby Parker Citizen’s Circus – French Legation Museum (802 San Marcos St.) 1 pm
The Love Language – Warby Parker Citizen’s Circus – French Legation Museum (802 San Marcos St.) 2 pm
Hospitality – Paste party – The Stage on Sixth (508 E. 6th St.) 3 pm
The Love Language – Under the Radar party – Flamingo Cantina (515 E. 6th St.) 3:15 pm
Hospitality – Ground Control Touring party – Emo’s Annex 5pm
M. Ward – Central Presbyterian Church (200 E. 8th St.) 11 pm

THURSDAY 3/15
Imperial Teen – Live on KEXP – Mellow Johnny’s (400 Nueces St.) 11:30 am
Hospitality – Brooklyn Vegan party – Hotel Vegas (1500 E. 6th St.) 2:15 pm
The Magnetic Fields – NPR showcase – The Parish (214 E. 6th St.) 4pm
Hospitality – Waterloo Records (600 N. Lamar Blvd.) 5 pm
Crooked Fingers – End of an Ear (2209 South 1st St.) 5pm
M. Ward – Auditorium Shores with The Shins (920 W. Riverside Dr.) 6:45 pm
Hospitality – Fire Records showcase – Beale Street Tavern (214 E. 6th St.) 10 pm
The Love Language – Death+Taxes party/Solid Gold – Cheer Up Charlie’s (1104 E. 6th St.) 5pm

FRIDAY 3/16
Imperial Teen – Homeslice Pizza (1415 S. Congress Ave.) 11:45
Hospitality – Rolling Stone party – La Zona Rosa (612 West 4th Street) 1:40-2:10pm
Crooked Fingers - Paste party – The Stage on Sixth (508 E. 6th St.) 12:30 pm
Eleanor Friedberger – Brooklyn Vegan party – Hotel Vegas (1500 E. 6th St.) 2 pm
Hospitality – Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress Ave.) 3:40pm
Merge Showcase – Frank (407 Colorado St.) 7:30 pm
The Magnetic Fields – Austin City Limits Live (310 Willie Nelson Blvd.) 8:30 pm

SATURDAY 3/17
Eleanor Friedberger – Urban Outfitters (2406 Guadalupe St.) 2 pm
Bob Mould  – MOG at Mohawk (912 Red River Street) 3:30pm *Playing Copper Blue
Crooked Fingers  – Twangfest – Jovita’s (1619 S. 1st St.) 4 pm

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/merge-sxsw-2011-2/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/03/merge-sxsw-2011-2/ Amor de Días play “Harvest Time” in chilly Madrid http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/CMNyE_XyTso/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/amor-de-dias-play-harvest-time-in-chilly-madrid/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:35:59 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8978 Click here to view the embedded video.

Alasdair & Lupe play a song from Street of the Love of Days in Madrid, and tour with the Magnetic Fields in May! If you’re in Europe, be sure to catch them.

Amor de Días on tour
all dates with the Magnetic Fields
May 09 Oslo NO Rockefeller
May 11 Gothenburg SE Annedalskyrkan
May 12 Stockholm SE Filadelfiakyrkan
May 14 Berlin DE Passionskirche
May 15 Hamburg DE Kampnagel K6
May 16 Amsterdam NL De Duif

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/amor-de-dias-play-harvest-time-in-chilly-madrid/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/amor-de-dias-play-harvest-time-in-chilly-madrid/ Zooey Deschanel hosts Saturday Night Live this weekend! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/RvoKghoUKSk/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/zooey-deschanel-hosts-saturday-night-live-this-weekend/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:47:14 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8907

Watch She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel host Saturday Night Live this weekend!

She & Him’s full catalog is available now in the Merge store.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/zooey-deschanel-hosts-saturday-night-live-this-weekend/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/zooey-deschanel-hosts-saturday-night-live-this-weekend/ Hospitality on Noisevox http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/2ndI_4Bw0vk/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/hospitality-on-noisevox/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:18 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8898 Hospitality invited John Norris over for a chat about their self-titled debut album and their fun new video for “Friends of Friends” for Noisevox.

Watch “Face Time” with Hospitality on Noisevox

Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.

See Hospitality on tour!
Feb 25 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall (Noise Pop w/ Archers of Loaf)
Feb 26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Archers of Loaf
Feb 29 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/ Tennis
Mar 2 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall w/ Tennis
Mar 3 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom w/ Tennis *SOLD OUT
Mar 5 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Tennis
Mar 7 New Haven, CT BAR
Mar 9 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ Tennis
Mar 10 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ Tennis
Mar 11 Orlando, FL Orange You Glad Festival
Mar 14-17 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival
Mar 18 Dallas, TX Bro Fest
Mar 20 Birmingham, AL Bottletree w/ The Love Language
Mar 21 Nashville, TN High Watt @ Mercy Lounge w/ The Love Language
Mar 22 Asheville, NC Emerald Lounge w/ The Love Language
Mar 30 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place w/ Wild Flag
Apr 02 Washington, DC 9:30 Club w/ Wild Flag
Apr 03 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero w/ Wild Flag
Apr 05 Chicago, IL Metro w/ Wild Flag
May 27 George, WA Sasquatch Music Festival

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/hospitality-on-noisevox/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/hospitality-on-noisevox/ Fucked Up’s Chinese Zodiac series streaming at Matador http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/xqs-A4My0d4/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/fucked-ups-chinese-zodiac-series-streaming-at-matador/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:26:17 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8894 Fucked Up continue their Chinese Zodiac series with Year of the Tiger out now on Matador Records. You can stream the entire series, including Merge’s 2010 contribution Year of the Ox, below. Order the 12″ in the Merge store, and pick up the new 12″ and the fantastic, Juno-nominated David Comes to Life in stores now!

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/fucked-ups-chinese-zodiac-series-streaming-at-matador/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/fucked-ups-chinese-zodiac-series-streaming-at-matador/ Archers of Loaf’s original “Vee Vee” videos! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/uP72UVvReWY/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/archers-of-loafs-original-vee-vee-videos/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:54:25 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8889 To celebrate the deluxe reissue of Archers of Loaf‘s Vee Vee, we have two videos from the original 1995 release. Watch, reminisce, and order Vee Vee in the Merge store now!

“Underachievers March and Fight Song”

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Harnessed in Slums”

Click here to view the embedded video.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/archers-of-loafs-original-vee-vee-videos/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/archers-of-loafs-original-vee-vee-videos/ Richard Buckner plays The Line of Best Fit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/23Q9PpzaXlM/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/richard-buckner-plays-the-line-of-best-fit/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:19:37 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8883 Click here to view the embedded video.

Richard Buckner played a set for The Line of Best Fit when he was last in Europe, and has just announced another trip for May. Don’t miss Richard on the road, either here or abroad, in 2012. Our Blood is available in stores and online now!

Richard Buckner on tour:
Feb 22 New Haven, CT BAR
Feb 24 Lexington, KY Cosmic Charlie’s
Feb 25 Atlanta, GA Highland Inn Ballroom
Feb 27 Easton, MD The NightCat
Mar 02 Bayport, NY The Grey Horse Tavern
Mar 10 North Adams, MA MASS MoCA
May 01 Winchester, UK The Railway
May 02 York, UK Dutchess of York
May 03 Bury, UK The Met
May 04 Kilkenny, IE Kilkenny Festival
May 05 Kilkenny, IE Kilkenny Festival
May 06 Belfast, IE Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
May 07 London, UK Cecil Sharp House
May 08 Newcastle, UK The Cluny 2

 

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/richard-buckner-plays-the-line-of-best-fit/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/02/richard-buckner-plays-the-line-of-best-fit/ The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle talks about the new album with RollingStone.com http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/ON8drbQl-ws/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/the-mountain-goats-john-darnielle-talks-about-the-new-album-with-rollingstone-com/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:21:20 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8795 The Mountain Goats are on tour and as previously announced are debuting new songs at these shows before they are even recorded. RollingStone.com talked to John after their sold-out Austin, TX show about the new songs and how fatherhood hasn’t made him go soft.

Watch a fan video below of the Mountain Goats performing “The Diaz Brothers” live in Houston.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Mountain Goats’ Merge debut All Eternals Deck is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.

The Mountain Goats on tour:
* = w/ Nurses
Jan 24 Orlando, FL – The Social*
Jan 25 Tampa, FL – Crowbar*
Jan 27 St. Augustine, FL – The Original Cafe Eleven*
Jan 28 Atlanta, GA – The Earl*
Jan 30 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club*
Jan 31 Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre*
Feb 02 Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle*
Feb 04 Saxapahaw, NC – The Haw River Ballroom*
Mar 09 Denton, TX – 35 Denton Festival*
Mar 13 New York, NY – Carnegie Hall: “The Music of the Rolling Stones: Hot Rocks 1964–1971”
Mar 24 New York, NY – Ecstatic Music Festival w/ Anonymous 4
Apr 02 London, UK – The Barbican w/ Anonymous 4

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/the-mountain-goats-john-darnielle-talks-about-the-new-album-with-rollingstone-com/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/the-mountain-goats-john-darnielle-talks-about-the-new-album-with-rollingstone-com/ Hospitality “Friends of Friends” video http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/3aOcC9xAVNQ/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/hospitality-friends-of-friends-video/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8791 Click here to view the embedded video.

Hospitality on tour:
Feb 3 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
Feb 25 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall (Noise Pop w/ Archers of Loaf)
Feb 26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Archers of Loaf
Feb 29 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/ Tennis
Mar 2 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall w/ Tennis
Mar 3 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom w/ Tennis
Mar 7 New Haven, CT BAR
Mar 9 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ Tennis
Mar 10 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ Tennis
Mar 11 Orlando, FL Orange You Glad Festival

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/hospitality-friends-of-friends-video/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/hospitality-friends-of-friends-video/ Lambchop – Mr. M – in stores February 21! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/9DoqSWI_2Is/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/lambchop-mr-m-in-stores-february-21/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:43:16 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8761 Click here to view the embedded video.

Pre-order Mr. M now on CD or limited-edition dbl-LP in the Merge store to receive a poster (the first 150 of which will be signed!) featuring Kurt Wagner’s original paintings used in Mr. M’s liner notes and a Lambchop coin purse while supplies last.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/lambchop-mr-m-in-stores-february-21/feed/ 4 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/lambchop-mr-m-in-stores-february-21/ She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel to host Saturday Night Live http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/NjhObOSdsxs/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/she-hims-zooey-deschanel-to-host-saturday-night-live/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:26:00 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8729 She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel will host Saturday Night Live on February 11!

Zooey’s hit new TV show New Girl returns with new episodes on Tuesday, January 17.

The whole She & Him catalog, including Volume One, Volume Two and A Very She & Him Christmas is available now in the Merge store.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/she-hims-zooey-deschanel-to-host-saturday-night-live/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/she-hims-zooey-deschanel-to-host-saturday-night-live/ Hospitality invite you to see them live! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/FHHgAAVLEK0/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/hospitality-invite-you-to-see-them-live/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:27:18 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8710 Hospitality are hitting the road in a week in support of their self-titled debut album which will be released on January 31. The New Yorker included Hospitality (and Lambchop!) in their list of anticipated releases of 2012 as did Wired.com!

Visit SoundCloud to hear “Friends of Friends” and “Betty Wang” now. Pre-order Hospitality on CD or LP now in the Merge store to receive via e-mail Hospitality’s 6-song EP from 2008, which was recorded in their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau on a 4-track recorder.

Hospitality on tour:
Jan 11 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/ Caveman
Jan 12 Detroit, MI PJ’s Lager House w/ Caveman
Jan 14 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall (Tomorrow Never Knows)
Jan 16 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
Jan 17 Pittsburgh, PA Brillobox
Feb 03 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
Feb 25 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall Noisepop Festival w/ Archers of Loaf
Feb 26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Archers of Loaf

Click here to view the embedded video.

 

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/hospitality-invite-you-to-see-them-live/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2012/01/hospitality-invite-you-to-see-them-live/ 2011 Year End Lists: Eric Johnson, Archers of Loaf http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/P9ucRQi0n1M/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-eric-johnson-archers-of-loaf/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:21:23 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8702 Top 10 Musical Highlights of 2011

1. Archers’ “surprise reunion gig” way back in January. That was the most fun I’ve had in recent memory.
2. Slowly learning how to play drums. But progress IS steady.
3. The purchase (gulp!) of my sunburst Strat. I can happily report no buyer’s remorse.
4. Watching and hearing Birdsmell, Ben Bridwell’s “side project.”
5. Discovering Electric Owls. Thank you Matt, I love their music.
6. My/our/Archers network debut on the Jimmy Fallon show.
7. Having Archers records released on Merge Records. Thanks y’all!
8. Having a bona fide rock star, Mac, take us out to dinner AND pay for it.
9. Visiting Chicago twice this year … and seeing Bob Weston both times.
10. Oh yeah, TOURING! Thank you to all the bands we played with and thank you Merge and thank you Shawn Nolan, Jim Romeo and all the people who helped make it happen. And most of all, thank you to God for letting us rock on a Sunday.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-eric-johnson-archers-of-loaf/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-eric-johnson-archers-of-loaf/ 2011 Year End Lists: Claudia Gonson, the Magnetic Fields http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/HfkTcqVolBU/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-claudia-gonson-the-magnetic-fields/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:20:04 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8699

photo by Bill Wadman

CLAUDIA’s TOP 6 FORTUNE COOKIE MESSAGES for 2011

1. Life is a verb.
2. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what is inside.
3. If the cake is bad, what good is the frosting?
4. If I bring forth what is inside me, what I bring forth will save me.
5. Cooperation will work better.
6. You will have gold pieces by the bushel.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-claudia-gonson-the-magnetic-fields/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-claudia-gonson-the-magnetic-fields/ 2011 Year End Lists: Chrissy Mickler, Merge intern http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/yAGUaF2kZNs/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-chrissy-mickler-merge-intern/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:18:12 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8696 Favorite Album: Tie between “Within and Without” by Washed Out and “12 Desperate Straight Lines” by Telekinesis

Most Influential Experience: Living in NYC this summer, learned a lot and was surrounded by great people, art, music, food, random cool things, etc.!

Favorite Concert: Foster the People at Bowery Ballroom

Best Thing I ate: Grasshopper cupcake at “Baked” in Brooklyn

Favorite Song: “October Road” by Balto

Favorite Trip: Mardi Gras and road trip from New Orleans to Memphis and Nashville via the “Blues Highway” in Mississippi

Favorite Show: Tie between Parks & Recreation and Always Sunny In Philadelphia, how did I just discover these shows this year?!

Favorite Movie: Without a doubt the last Harry Potter movie

Favorite Book: The Hunger Games

Favorite Site: The Oatmeal

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-chrissy-mickler-merge-intern/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-chrissy-mickler-merge-intern/ 2011 Year End Lists: Devin Dimattia, Merge Digital Intern http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/gfrvadvBUDQ/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-devin-dimattia-merge-digital-intern/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:16:39 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8693 I tried my hand at directing music videos for the first time this year, so it seemed appropriate that my Best-of List consist of some of my favorite vids of 2011. What follows is an eclectic mix of familiar faces alongside some videos you are hopefully getting to see for the first time. If you’d like to see more of my work (including the 2nd place winner in the Beach Boys SMiLE Music Video contest), check out www.dimattiafilms.com

Battles, “Ice Cream” (dir. CANADA)
Columbus, “Hubble” (dir. The Crystal Beach)
Com Truise, “Brokendate” (dir. Will Joines)
Goldfish, “We Come Together” (dir. Mike Scott)
Is Tropical, “The Greeks” (dir. Megaforce)
Kaisoku Tokyo, “Copy” (dir. Takahiro Yasuda)
Madeon, “Pop Culture” (dir. Nathan Barnatt)
The New Pornographers, “Moves” (dir. Tom Scharpling)
Scooter, “Friends Turbo” (dir. Steffen Haars & Flip Van Der Kull)
Tune-Yards, “Bizness” (dir. Mimi Cave)

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-devin-dimattia-merge-digital-intern/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-devin-dimattia-merge-digital-intern/ 2011 Year End Lists: Missy Thangs, the Love Language http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/r6zDkYnBbdo/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-missy-thangs-the-love-language/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:12:09 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8682

This photo by Tim Lytvinenko.

“Ten Tour Highlights 2011” by Missy Thangs of The Love Language

1. Coachella VIP Coachella VIP Coachella VIP

2. Playing a show with Arcade Fire in Sante Fe, NM!! Meeting the band! Fan moment.  Still one of the best live bands out there.

3. Homecoming show with Telekinesis! at Local 506: Stu slams guitar on amp, ending the “red guitar” era… nasty words, selfless dancing, crowd surfing, barfing, three encores. There’s no place like home.

4. Disney World. Yes, a whole epic day in Disneyland eating turkey legs, riding kids’ rides, stuff like that… definitely dropped tears on the “It’s A Small World Ride.”  We skipped sound check that night to see the fireworks and listen to Jiminy Cricket tell us our dreams were coming true.  More tears.

5. Better than a house show party was Delilah’s on Cayuga in Ithaca, NY.  We played with rockers Tropical Punk and The Music Band.  This is where kids drink straight gin out of bottles and nurse you with ‘em while you’re playing.

6. Stage diving and crowd surfing to “Brittney’s Back” at the Soapbox Laundr-o-Lounge in Wilmington, NC. Om mani padme om.  We were such a sweaty mess after the show, everyone threw their clothes in the lounge dryers and hung out in our underwear.

7. Band fight, missed sound check over stopping at Grimaldi’s pizza in Brooklyn.  After all the tension, we still went.  Worth it.

8. Two days of straight up fried chicken for every meal. Think regular stops at random fried chicken joints as you’re crossing the heartland. The best hands down was Bolton’s spicy fried chicken in Memphis, TN.

9. Spotting Mme Plaster Caster at our show with Telekinesis! at Schuba’s in Chicago, IL! As far as I know, no plasters were made…

10. Still to this day wonder who farted during our show at the Noise Pop Festival Café Du Nord in San Francisco.  Yes, it was that distracting.

 

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-missy-thangs-the-love-language/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-missy-thangs-the-love-language/ 2011 Year End Lists: James Cartwright, Merge Production Manager http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/M-gxiEskrUg/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-james-cartwright-merge-production-manager/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:58:35 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8679 Top 5 Things About the Triangle from my first year in North Carolina:

5.  The Boylan Soda fountain at Bull City Burger & Brewery.  The only one in North Carolina!
4.  Falls Lake / Eno River State Parks.  Highlight: the Cox Mountain trail at Eno River. (thanks Maggie!)
3.  Hopscotch Music Festival.  No better way to learn Raleigh than by non-stop walking around downtown for a weekend.  Highlights: John Vanderslice, Titus Andronicus and Des Ark amongst many many others.
2.  The rock quarry swimming hole (Shhhhh)
1. Full Frame International Documentary Film Festival.  The premier documentary film festival in the whole world and it’s right here in Durham!  Every film I saw was enjoyable.  Highlight: “Il Capo”

Other 2011 hits:

Jonny Corndawg – “Down on the Bikini Line”
“American Juggalo”
Saintseneca – “Last”
Country Mice – S/T
Hi Ho Silver Oh – “Showers Without Warning” 7″
Josh T. Pearson – “Last of the Country Gentlemen” (thanks Wilson!)
The Black Swans – “Don’t Blame the Stars” (thanks Leo!)
Destroyer – “Kaputt”
“The Whore of Akron” by Scott Raab

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-james-cartwright-merge-production-manager/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-james-cartwright-merge-production-manager/ 2011 Year End Lists: Ivan Howard, The Rosebuds http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/V4rsxRXUYns/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-ivan-howard-the-rosebuds/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:47:58 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8669 Ivan Rosebud’s favorite Music videos of 2011:

Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers
Other Lives – Tamer Animals
Little Dragon – CrystalFilm
Future Islands – Blance
Destroyer – Kaputt
Charles Bradley – The World (Is going up in Flames)
Mount Moriah – Lament
Bon Iver – Calgary
Superchunk – The First Part
The Kills – Satellite
Wye Oak – Fish
Salem – King Night
The Weeknd – House of Balloons / Glass Tables

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-ivan-howard-the-rosebuds/feed/ 0 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-ivan-howard-the-rosebuds/ 2011 Year End Lists: Joe Komenda, Merge webmaster http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/iVwHba-Yoo8/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-joe-komenda-merge-webmaster/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:44:13 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8652

Joe’s Top 8 AMV
(Based on favorite Anime/Videogames of 2011)
==============================
#1 – Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Shaft/Aniplex)
#2 – Crysis (2007, EA)
#3 – Adventure Time (Cartoon Network)
#4 – Portal 2 (Valve)
#5 – My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic (Hasbro)
#6 – Dead Space (2008, EA)
#7 – Elfen Lied (2004, ARMS )
#8 – Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009 Eidos)

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-joe-komenda-merge-webmaster/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-joe-komenda-merge-webmaster/ 2011 Year End Lists: Eric Bachmann, Crooked Fingers & Archers of Loaf http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/NlsvH5uVy8k/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-eric-bachmann-crooked-fingers-archers-of-loaf/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:33:27 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8663

Eric with Christina's son Sam who had never been up that high before!

No specific order:
El Resplandor: The Shining in Dubai – Nettle
Our Blood-Richard Buckner
Inside Silence – Wahid
Coney Island Winter – Garland Jeffries
Strange Mercy-St. Vincent
Little White Teeth-Little White Teeth
Cosmogramma Alt Takes EP-Flying Lotus
Pope Killdragon-Strand of Oaks
Tinariwen-Tassili
Civilian-Wye Oak

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-eric-bachmann-crooked-fingers-archers-of-loaf/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-eric-bachmann-crooked-fingers-archers-of-loaf/ 2011 Year End Lists: Jay Lowe, Merge retail coordinator http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/e565VxrcP_k/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-jay-lowe-merge-retail-coordinator/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:25:34 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8660 In no particular order…

Top 10 Shows
Jeff Mangum @ 2640 Space at Baltimore’s St. John’s Church
Alternative Press tour 2011 (ain’t even kidding)
Joy Formidable / Fang Island @ The Cat’s Cradle
The Love Language / Archers of Loaf @ The Cat’s Cradle
Des Ark @ King’s | Hopscotch 2011
The Flaming Lips from 11th floor of the Raleigh Sheraton w/ Times New Viking
Kylesa @ Pitchfork Festival
Wild Flag / Eleanor Friedberger @ The Cat’s Cradle
The Menzingers @ The Brewery
Mau a Malawi @ UNC Memorial Hall

Top 10 Records
Des Ark – Don’t Rock the Boat, Sink the Fucker
The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar
Wye Oak – Civilian
Crooked Fingers – Breaks in the Armor
Destroyer – Kaputt
White Wives – Happeners
Banner Pilot – Heart Bleeds Pacific
Four Year Strong – In Some Way, Shape, or Form
Battles – Gloss Drop
Jay-Z / Kanye West – Watch the Throne

Top 10 Miscellany
Moving to Durham
First fixed gear bicycle
VIP Credentials @ Pitchfork Fest (Thanks Kate T!)
Nashville trip 2k11 and its sequel planned for 2k12
Chicago with the BOYS
Bart’s wonderful marriage to Jess
The rise and fall of Kreayshawn
My little sister’s entry to college
New friends from at Polyvinyl
Invention of the slippery Frenchman

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-jay-lowe-merge-retail-coordinator/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-jay-lowe-merge-retail-coordinator/ 2011 Year End Lists: Mac McCaughan http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/o2k6RupT61o/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-mac-mccaughan/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:20:08 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8654 Wow, my shit is mainstream this year. I think if i would have had some more time with albums by  EMA, Cass McCombs, St Vincent, Craig Taborn, Andy Stott, Colin Stetson, Girls, Kurt Vile, & Shabazz Palaces they probably would have ended up on here too. Not enough hours in the day!  As usual, Merge stuff is disqualified though it’s what i listened to & loved the most…

Top Non-Merge Albums of 2011

War On Drugs – Slave Ambient
Bill Callahan – apocalypse
J Mascis – several shades of why
Dum Dum Girls – Only In Dreams
Fucked up – David comes to life
Wilco – The Whole Love
Tim Hecker – Ravedeath 1972
Sidi Toure – Sahel Folk
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Feist – Metals
Malkmus/Jicks – Mirror Traffic
Yuck – Yuck
Junior Boys – It’s All True
Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal – Chamber Music
Real Estate – Days
William Tyler – Behold the Spirit

Favorite Reissues of 2011

Sorry Bamba – Vol 1 1970-79
REM – Life’s Rich Pageant
El Rego – El Rego
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Let Love In
Mark Hollis – Mark Hollis & Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
Bitch Magnet – Bitch Magnet
V/A – Local Customs: Pressed At Bodie
Void – Sessions 81-83

Tracks

Bright Eyes – “Shell Games”
Robyn – “Call Your Girlfriend”
Nicky Minaj – “Super Bass”
Bon Iver – “Perth”
Mt. Moriah – “Only Way Out”
Cut Copy – “Need You Now”
Kreashawn – “Gucci Gucci”
Adele – “Rolling In The Deep”
James Blake – “The Wilhelm Scream”
Tom Waits – “New Years Eve”

Art Highlights of 2011

Tacita Dean – FILM
Miyazaki / Ghibli Museum, Tokyo
Kara Walker – Drawings at Sikkema Jenkins
DE-NATURED – Ackland Museum
Yayoi Kusama retrospective at Museo Reina Sofia
Barry Flanagan – Early Works 1965 – 1982
de Kooning retrospective at MOMA
Josephine Halvorson – What Looks Back at Sikkema Jenkins
Marcel Dzama – Behind Every Curtain at David Zwirner
Becoming: Photographs from the Wedge Collection – Nasher Museum

Comedy makes me laugh.

The Best Show on WFMU
Louis CK in all formats.
Amy Schumer – Cutting
Rob Delaney
Todd Barry
Parks n  Recreation
Patrice O’Neal (RIP) – Elephant In the Room
Maria Bamford
Marc Maron’s WTF

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-mac-mccaughan/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-mac-mccaughan/ 2011 Year End Lists: Nick Cain, Staff Accountant http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/31W49cABk9s/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-nick-cain-staff-accountant/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:10:47 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8640

Click spreadsheet to make larger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-nick-cain-staff-accountant/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-nick-cain-staff-accountant/ 2011 Year End Lists: Amber, Nathan & Brian of Hospitality http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/2qr3_kZHVzM/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-amber-nathan-brian-of-hospitality/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:52:57 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8631 Nathan Michel’s Ten Most Recent Shazam Searches:
1. “The Lost Mother Land” – Apryl Fool
2. “How Deep Is Your Love” – The Rapture
3. “Feels Like The First Time” – Foreigner
4. “Burnin’ For You” – Blue Öyster Cult
5. “Going To A Town” – Rufus Wainwright
6. “Synthesist” – Harald Grosskopf
7. “Kiss Of Life” – Sade
8. “Mainstreet” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
9. “Reflections of My Life” – Marmalade
10. “Turn Your Love Around” – George Benson

Brian Betancourt’s Top 10ish of 2011ish (in alphabetical order):
Anika – Anika (Stones Throw)
ARMS – Summer Skills (Self-Released)
The Beach Boys – The SMiLE Sessions (Capitol)
Roberto Cacciapaglia – The Ann Steel Album (Resissue on Half Machine)
Cornershop – And The Double ‘O’ Groove Of (Ample Play)
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Mirror Traffic (Matador)
Cass McCombs – Wit’s End/Humor Risk (Domino)
Oneohtrix Point Never – Replica (Software/Mexican Summer)
Van Dyke Parks – Arrangements Vol. 1 (Bananastan)
Scritti Politti – Absolute (Virgin)
Luke Temple – Don’t Act Like You Don’t Care (Western Vinyl)
William Tyler – Behold The Spirit (Tompkins Square)

Amber Papini’s favorites from 2011
Destroyer – Kaputt (Merge)
Kurt Vile -Smoke Ring For My Halo (Matador)
Ride – Nowhere (20th anniversary edition) (Rhino)
Real Estate – Days (Domino)
Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow (Anti-/Fish People)

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-amber-nathan-brian-of-hospitality/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-amber-nathan-brian-of-hospitality/ 2011 Year End Lists: Taylor Townes, Warehouse manager http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/-4zNyuTkm4o/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-taylor-townes-warehouse-manager/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:40:59 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8622 Taylor’s Best of 2011 List

Albums

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Mirror Traffic (Matador Records) Hooray! My favorite work of his since his self-titled solo album and favorite of the year!
Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer (Merge Records)
Tom Waits – Bad As Me (ANTI- Records)
Wilco – The Whole Love  (dBpm)
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Sup Pop Records)
Of Montreal – thecontrollersphere (Polyvinyl) Pretty weird, even for them. In an awesome way!
Wye Oak – Civilian (Merge Records)
Braids – Native Speaker (Flemish Eye/Kanine)
Givers – In Light (Glassnote Music) I saw them open for and outshine Dirty Projectors!
Tennis – Cape Dory (Fat Possum) They have a song called ‘South Carolina.’ I’m from there!
The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient (Secretly Canadian)

Reissues
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock / Mark Hollis – S/T (Ba Da Bing!)

Shows
Loudon Wainwright III at Barnes and Nobles in Union Square He’s the most entertaining guy!
Justin Townes Earle at Prospect Park and Newport Folk Festival

Books
I think I only read two books that came out in 2011. (Both great!)
Tina Fey – Bossypants
Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow – Grand Design

TV
Ancient Aliens!!!!
Shout out to Dr. Tsoukalos

Movies
The Troll Hunter
Best movie of 2011!
Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
Our Idiot Brother
Take Shelter
The Future
Super 8
Source Code
Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

Things That Existed Previously That I Discovered and Loved in 2011
Patsy Cline
ABBA’s ‘SOS’ and Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing In The Dark’ Great songs or greatest songs?
Sci-fi novels
Twin Peaks
Grateful Dead – American Beauty
Hawaiian shirts

Other
Taco Salad – Making all ‘Best Of’ lists since forever

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-taylor-townes-warehouse-manager/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-taylor-townes-warehouse-manager/ 2011 Year End Lists: Vanessa DeJongh, Merge art department http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/-xEVw5IUOyY/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-vanessa-dejongh-merge-art-department/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:41:30 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8619 1. most-life changing event of 2011: my daughter Eleri sleeping through the night
2. best rediscovery: sleep (see #1)
3. favorite mix: MGMT-curated Late Night Tales. Listened to this over and over and over again (OMG, that Bauhaus cover!)
4. favorite old albums I listened to for the first time this year: Terry Reid’s Superlungs, and No Other by Gene Clark
5. album I would’ve played if I’d ever hosted that vision quest I kept talking about: Eye Contact by Gang Gang Dance
6. reissue I was psyched to see: Nowhere by Ride
7. favorite Netflix instant-view: “The Trip” (the Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon version, not the Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Dennis Hopper version—not gonna say anything bad about that one either, though)
8. book I stayed up too late reading: The Passage by Justin Cronin (scary!)
9. one cool thing (of many, of course!) I discovered about Eleri: she likes to drink pickle juice
10. best lucky break: not catching scabies from Urban Outfitters
]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-vanessa-dejongh-merge-art-department/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-vanessa-dejongh-merge-art-department/ 2011 Year End Lists: Britt Daniel, Spoon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/9PhcD5fCBxU/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-britt-daniel-spoon/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:37:14 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8609

Pj Harvey – Let England Shake
Dale Watson & The Texas Two  - The Sun Sessions
Ty Segall – Goodbye Bread
Handsome Furs – Sound Kapital
Cold Cave – Cherish The Light Years
Cliff Martinez – Drive Soundtrack
Black Lips – Arabia Mountain
Girls – Father Son Holy Ghost
Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer
Nurses – Dracula
Zoo Kid – “Out Getting Ribs”
Factory Floor – “Lying”

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-britt-daniel-spoon/feed/ 2 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-britt-daniel-spoon/ Imperial Teen “Feel the Noise” with pre-order bonus! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/5TxyVTKG3yw/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/imperial-teen-feel-the-noise-with-pre-order-bonus/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:27:15 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8589 Imperial Teen will return to the Merge active column with their new album, Feel the Sound on January 31! Pre-order the album now on CD or LP in the Merge store to receive limited-edition “Feel the Sound” ear plugs! Imperial Teen plays Noise Pop‘s 20th Anniversary at Cafe Du Nord on February 24, and stay tuned for more west coast dates!

Download “Runaway” from Feel the Sound now!

Follow Imperial Teen at twitter, Facebook and at their official website, ImperialTeen.com.

Track listing:
1. Runaway
2. No Matter What You Say
3. Last to Know
4. Over His Head
5. Hanging About
6. All the Same
7. Don’t Know How You Do It
8. Out From Inside
9. The Hibernates
10. It’s You
11. Overtaken

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/imperial-teen-feel-the-noise-with-pre-order-bonus/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/imperial-teen-feel-the-noise-with-pre-order-bonus/ 2011 Year End Lists: John Darnielle, the Mountain Goats http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/vk_kNW4yzs0/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-john-darnielle-the-mountain-goats/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:11:07 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8585 Goreaphobia, Apocalyptic Necromancy
Mia Doi Todd, Cosmic Ocean Ship
Bill Callahan, Apocalypse
Raekwon, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
In Solitude, The World. The Flesh. The Devil
Hate Eternal, Phoenix Amongst the Ashes
Dos, Dos y Dos
Animals As Leaders, weightless
Brutal Truth, End Time
Hatchback, Zeus and Apollo
Of Antiquity, Nocturnal Grind

notes: Wye Oak should be here but we toured with them + they’re labelmates + I intend to sing “Civilian” at some point so like there’s a proximity factor that’s too intense but Civilian was top 3 for me; Ride for Revenge has a new album due in December and they’re reliable best-of-year dudes; I listened to much more classical music than popular music this year.

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-john-darnielle-the-mountain-goats/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-john-darnielle-the-mountain-goats/ 2011 Year End Lists: Douglas, Pete & Lauren aka the Bankrobber Music Gang http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/-KXXR7ZRYZU/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-douglas-pete-lauren-aka-the-bankrobber-music-gang/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:30:04 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8577 Douglas Smith’s “Baker’s Dozen” of Best Vegan Donuts:

Top tens?  Come on… its a Vegan Donut list… you know I had to pick a baker’s dozen.  13 donuts from 4 bakeries in 4 different states.  What food should my next vacation be centered around?

1. Blueberry Donut – Pepples Vegan Donut Farm
2. Chai Tea Donut – Dun Well Doughnuts
3. The Loop (Fruit Loop) Donut – VooDoo Doughnut
4. Salted Caramel Donut – Pepples Vegan Donut Farm
5. Peanut Butter and Jelly Donut – Dun Well Doughnuts
6. Kaffir Lime Donut – Pepples Vegan Donut Farm
7. Cinnamon Sugar Donut – Dun Well Doughnuts
8. Glazed Donut – VooDoo Doughnut
9. Lemon Lavender Donut – Dun Well Doughnuts
10. Toasted S’more Donut – Dun Well Doughnuts
11. Marshmallow Cream Donut – Vegan Treats
12. Diablos Rex Donut – VooDoo Doughnut
13. Jelly Filled Donut – Vegan Treats

Bonus Pastry! Apple Fritter – Pepples Vegan Donut Farm
It was so good I blacked out… could have also been diabetic shock.

Lauren Bernal’s top 10 Wild Flag moments of 2011 or how to appear like a stalker/huge nerd:

1. Hearing a rumor Carrie and Janet were playing music together with Mary
Timony?! Prayers: answered.
2. They signed to Merge!!! (“the secret” works!)
3. Video of “Future Crimes” from their first show. There may have been
goosebumps involved…
4. Future Crimes/Glass Tambourine 7″ YES!
5. Both Rock Shop shows. Possibly the best of my life. (cc: Erin)
6. THE RECORD! (the best of 2011 and all other years ever)
7.  Wild Flag with Sonic Youth, at the Bell House, and Bowery Ballroom
(bonus: Yellow Fever and Eleanor Friedberger as openers)
8. “Romance” and “Electric Band” videos (Can Wild Flag have a tv show a la
The Monkees, please?)
9. My #1 most listened to song in 2011: “Something Came Over Me”
10. Just knowing Wild Flag exists.

Pete D’Angelo’s Top 10 Beers of the Year:

Founders Breakfast Stout
Full Sail Session Black
Dogfish Head Bitches Brew
Sixpoints Crisp
Pretty Things Jack D’or
Trappist Rocherfort 10
Sierra Nevada / Dogfish Head Life & Limb 2
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
Sierra Nevada Celebration 2011
Captain Lawrence Xtra Gold Tripel

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-douglas-pete-lauren-aka-the-bankrobber-music-gang/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-douglas-pete-lauren-aka-the-bankrobber-music-gang/ She & Him retail display contest winners! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/Zv3JXpPmbPg/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/she-him-retail-display-contest-winners/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:19:05 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8568 We challenged independent record stores across the country to come up with their best A Very She & Him Christmas display. Congratulations to grand prize winner – Easy Street Records in Seattle, WA! Runners-up include: Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, MN; Lou’s Records in Encinitas, CA; and Pure Pop in Burlington, VT.

Thanks to all who entered, we have enjoyed seeing all of the holiday spirit inspired by She & Him!

Visit your local record store for A Very She & Him Christmas on CD and red vinyl. Great for everyone on your holiday shopping list!

Grand Prize Winner: Easy Street Records, Seattle, WA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Fetus Records, Minneapolis, MN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pure Pop, Burlington, VT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lou's Records, Encinitas, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/she-him-retail-display-contest-winners/feed/ 1 http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/she-him-retail-display-contest-winners/ 2011 Year End Lists: Maggie Fost, Merge art director http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MergeRecordsBlog/~3/4LmgrARSzyA/ http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/12/2011-year-end-lists-maggie-fost-merge-art-director/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:10:18 +0000 Merge http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/?p=8558 Top Ten Places I Will Take You When You Visit Toronto

(alternate title: Toronto Top Ten, Twentyeleven)

++++

1. Banu
You’re hungry. Me too. Let’s get busy with some pomegranate, mint, and walnut-surrounded kebabs at this Iranian joint on Queen West. Also: saffron-infused vodka.

2. Evergreen Brickworks
This is one of the finest examples I’ve seen in the reclaimed factory / green design genre. Saturday’s farmers’ market is an embarrassment of Ontario’s bounty. Step away from the crowd into a network of hiking trails lacing through this gorgeous valley that, impossibly, happens to be in the middle the city. Also: upscale garden center (or centre, if you will), café, winter skating rink, and groovy natural play yard for kids, occasionally staffed with enthusiastic camp counselor types who teach them how to make mud bricks or bake outdoors, etc.

3. Drake General Store
If you are reading the Merge Records blog, you will like the Drake General Store. Exquisitely curated, indie-eclectic smorgasbord of books, bibelots, and Canadiana for the savvy traveler.

4. The Roof Lounge, Park Hyatt
You’re buying? Awesome. Swank (but not too), cozy, expensive room with a view. And a fireplace, natch. (Thanks to @thegoodshopper for introducing me to this one and #7 below.)

5. Sunday Antique Market
Manageable and civilized flea / antique market for tourists and locals. Across the street is the gargantuan and vibrant St. Lawrence market (think butcher, baker, candlestick maker). I forgot if you eat meat, but this is your opportunity to try a peameal bacon sandwich if you go that way.

6. Toronto Islands
A heavenly little escape, just a 10-minute ferry ride from downtown. We’ll ride bikes (no cars on the islands, too much territory to cover on foot), cruising past the crowded midway scene and onto the little lanes of island cottages on Ward’s Island, where a year-round population of 600 lives. Curling around a narrow trail to the beach and back down the boardwalk, you will be confused by the ocean-like scene without ocean-like waves. You will likely fantasize about ditching your dull life and moving here with your cargo bike, your dog, and your typewriter.

7. Ici Bistro
Fantastic modern French cuisine in a lovely little room with impeccable service and a surprisingly interesting Ontario wine list. Lobster bisque and grand marnier soufflé were highlights of my last visit.

8. Design Exchange
The only real reason we are going here is so that you get a Marian Bantjes smashed penny souvenir. (I know! Right?) http://www.bantjes.com/project/empathy-penny

9. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto
Okay, back to my neighborhood to step inside this dimly-lit giant library, where the largest collection of rare books and manuscripts available to the public in Canada lines balconies in a sky-high, slightly sci-fi geometric space that makes one feel appropriately small in the world.

10. The Gallery Grill
Let’s eat again. Nestled in a picture-perfect old stone building on the U of T campus, stained glass windows and neo-gothic arches provide an Oxbridge mood for food that is quite the opposite. Suzanne Baby’s seasonal, local menu lures my husband and I here often for mid-day dates. (They are only open for lunch.) Eyeing today’s menu, for example: Crispy calamari schnitzel / honey butter peas / preserved lemon & anchovy dressing. There’s a tiny library down the hall that feels straight-up Hogwartian.

Come on up!

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