Merge Records: 25 Years in 24 Minutes

Superchunk Band Merge Records founders
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Our Noise The Story of Merge Records the Indie Label that got big

Founded by Superchunk’s Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance in 1989, North Carolina’s Merge Records quickly grew to become one of America’s essential indie labels. From supporting their fertile local indie rock scene to launching international stars, for 25 years Merge has carved out uncompromising success by staying true to its independent roots. Google Play is proud to celebrate 25 years of Merge Records with this exclusive documentary and series of covers of Merge classics by Merge acts including Superchunk, the Mountain Goats, Telekinesis and more.

Merge Records News


  Martin Frawley of Twerps announces solo debut album, Undone at 31, due February 22 NOVEMBER 14, 2018 Whether one seeks it out or it simply presents itself, change is an inevitability. Should one embrace it? Grapple with it? Fight it? These are the questions Martin Frawley unpacks as he steps into the spotlight for Undone at 31, his first album as a solo artist and the start of a new chapter for the Melbourne songwriter. Listen to the album’s “End of the Bar” now, an early standout about mistakes and missteps in Frawley’s Australian pubs that’s equal parts Velvet Underground cool and outlaw country, and read a new interview with exclusive photos on Australia’s LNWY. Out February 22, Undone at 31 is available now for pre-order on CD, LP, and blue-white marble Peak Vinyl in the Merge store and wherever you buy music. https://youtu.be/bMiqZs3zVac   Superchunk release new 7-inch benefit single “Our Work Is Done” feat. Damian Abraham of Fucked Up NOVEMBER 13, 2018 Today, Superchunk return with their third in a series of limited-edition benefit 7-inches, “Our Work Is Done” b/w “Total Eclipse,” with proceeds going to Bill McKibben’s climate-change advocacy non-profit 350.org. “Our Work Is Done,” a brand-new Superchunk song and their first since the February release of What a Time to Be Alive, features powerful guest vocals from Damian Abraham, while B-side “Total Eclipse” is a Klaus Nomi cover. As with “I Got Cut” b/w “Up Against the Wall” (benefiting Planned Parenthood South Atlantic) and “Break the Glass” b/w “Mad World” (benefitting the Southern Poverty Law Center), this surprise single is available for purchase immediately (and will sell out quickly)! Once again, Merge will be partnering with Paddle8 to auction off one-of-a-kind artwork from some of Superchunk’s favorite contemporary artists to go along with an exclusive tri-color swirl pressing of the 7-inch. More than 20 artists, including Lonnie Holley, Alicia McCarthy, Joanne Greenbaum, Rebecca Morgan, Maya Hayuk, and Susumu Kamijo, donated works for this auction which begins on November 27 and runs for two weeks.  

Some may already be aware that Mac McCaughan is married to Durham Cool’s favorite Chef/author/public speaker, Andrea Reusing.   We love Andrea Reusing so much we have dedicated a page on Durham Cool to Andrea Reusing. 

Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan