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Merge Records
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''. The label's first album to reach the ''Billboard'' 200 was Arcade Fire's ''Funeral'', a 2004 release. 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 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Laura Ballance
Laura Jane Ballance (born February 22, 1968) is the bassist in the rock band Superchunk (also contributing occasional backing vocals) and co-founder of Merge Records along with Mac McCaughan. In 2013 she announced that she would no longer be touring with the band due to her worsening hyperacusis. Musical history Despite her hyperacusis and announcement that she will no longer be touring with the band, she has remained in Superchunk since 1989. Their latest album is ''Wild Loneliness'', released in February 2022. Merge Records In 1989, Ballance alongside her bandmate Mac McCaughan, founded Merge Records for releases from Superchunk and similar artists. Ballance has also contributed to the book ''Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records'' (2009) with Mac McCaughan and John Cook. Personal life Ballance has described herself as an introvert as a child, who found punk music as a teenager through a music video by Adam and the Ants. Ballance lives in Durham, North Carolina Du ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kill The Moonlight
''Kill the Moonlight'' is the fourth studio album by American rock band Spoon released on August 20, 2002, through Merge Records. The album features a stripped-down, minimal sound that incorporates various different instruments such as tambourines and pianos along with an idiosyncratic production style. The album has gone on to receive critical acclaim with its lead single "The Way We Get By" being used in various television shows, and is regarded as Spoon's ''magnum opus''. Composition The album has been noted for its minimal and rhythm-driven sound. Eric Carr of ''Pitchfork'' described it as "an adventure in starkness", going on to write: "Like some of the best minimalists in music, Spoon use the null and void to create tension which bolsters and sets apart every nuance of the music-- every handclap, every reverberating crash, every beep from the synthesizer." Heather Phares of ''AllMusic'' wrote that the group "follow(ed up) such a cathartic album as ''Girls Can Tell'' with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polaris Prize
The Polaris Music Prize is a music award annually given to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label. The award was established in 2006 with a $20,000 cash prize. The prize was increased to $30,000 for the 2011 award."2011 Polaris Music Prize Long List announced" . aux.tv, June 16, 2011. In May 2015, the Polaris Music Prize was increased to $50,000, an additional $20,000, sponsored by Slaight Music. Additionally, second place prizes for the nine other acts on the Short List increased from $2,000 to $3,000. Polaris officials also announced The Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize, an award that "will annually hono ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Caribou (musician)
Daniel Victor Snaith (born 29 March 1978) is a Canadian composer, musician, and recording artist. He has released 11 studio albums since 2000 and has recorded and performed under the stage names Caribou, Manitoba, and Daphni. His Caribou album ''Andorra'' (2008) was awarded the 2008 Polaris Music Prize, and his Caribou album '' Swim'' (2010) was a shortlisted nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize and was named the Best Album of 2010 by ''Resident Advisor''. His follow-up '' Our Love'' (2014) was also shortlisted for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. During live Caribou performances, Snaith is joined by his longtime bandmates, Ryan Smith (guitar, keyboards), John Schmersal (bass, keyboards) and Brad Weber (drums), who expand upon Snaith's material for a live environment. Regarding their performances as a four-piece, Snaith has stated: "The whole idea is it’s not just me, and it’s not just hired guns. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Volume Two (She & Him Album)
''Volume Two'' is the second studio album by She & Him, a collaboration between M. Ward and singer/songwriter and actress Zooey Deschanel. It was released on March 17, 2010 through P-Vine Records in Japan, in the United States on March 23, 2010 through Merge Records, and on April 5, 2010 on Double Six Records in the UK. The album's track listing was announced on December 8, 2009. " In the Sun" was published online by ''Pitchfork'' on January 22, 2010 and was released as a single with "I Can Hear Music" on February 23, 2010. A video of "In the Sun" was released on March 9, 2010. On February 9, 2010, She & Him were interviewed on BBC 6 Music and performed "Thieves" and "Gonna Get Along without You Now" from the not-yet-released album. Two versions of the song "Thieves" were made available on-line. One was that played for the BBC interview and two weeks later Stereogum premiered the studio version from the album. A video of "Thieves" was released on July 9, 2010. On March 14, 2 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Claire Deschanel ( ; born January 17, 1980) is an American actress and musician. She made her film debut in ''Mumford (film), Mumford'' (1999) and had a supporting role in Cameron Crowe's film ''Almost Famous'' (2000). Deschanel is known for her deadpan roles in comedy films such as ''The Good Girl'' (2002), ''The New Guy'' (2002), ''Elf (film), Elf'' (2003), ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (film), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' (2005), ''Failure to Launch'' (2006), ''Yes Man (film), Yes Man'' (2008), ''500 Days of Summer'' (2009), and ''Our Idiot Brother'' (2011). She has also ventured into dramatic film territory with ''Manic (2001 film), Manic'' (2001), ''All the Real Girls'' (2003), ''Winter Passing'' (2005), ''Bridge to Terabithia (2007 film), Bridge to Terabithia'' (2007), ''The Happening (2008 film), The Happening'' (2008), and ''The Driftless Area'' (2015). From 2011 to 2018, she starred as Jess Day (character), Jess Day on the Fox Broadcasting Company ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
She & Him
She & Him is an American musical duo consisting of Zooey Deschanel (vocals, piano, ukulele) and M. Ward (guitar, production). It was formed in 2006 in Portland, Oregon.Scaggs, Austin"Smoking Section: Modest Mouse, Zooey Deschanel, Kings of Leon"''Rolling Stone'', February 5, 2008. Their first album, '' Volume One'', was released on the independent label Merge Records on March 18, 2008.Solarski, Matthew"M. Ward/Zooey Deschanel Album Details Surface" ''Pitchfork Media'', January 11, 2008.Hasty, Katie"Ward Helps Deschanel Find Her Voice"''Billboard'', January 31, 2008. They are commonly associated with the indie-folk resurgence of the mid-2000s, which music critic and professor Eric Harvey described in ''Stereogum'' as "childlike, whimsical, earnest, acoustic Starbucks-friendly music like Feist, the Decemberists, Regina Spektor, and Jose Gonzalez." History Formation Deschanel and Ward met on the set of the film '' The Go-Getter,'' in which Deschanel had a starring role. Martin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Transference (album)
''Transference'' is the seventh studio album by the American indie rock band Spoon. It was released on January 18, 2010, in Europe, and on January 19 in North America. In Australia, it was released by Spunk Records on January 15. The album debuted at number 4 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, selling 53,000 copies in its first week. As of June 2013, it had sold 183,000 copies in United States. The cover image is an untitled 1970 photograph by the American photographer William Eggleston. Reception ''Exclaim!'' placed ''Transference'' at number 9 on their list of the Best Pop & Rock Albums of 2010, with Ben Conoley writing: "With Transference, Spoon took a more minimalist approach than predecessors '' Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga'' and '' Gimme Fiction'', demonstrating that great rock music doesn't need more than confidence, swagger and good hooks." ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it number 22 on their list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010, [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
''Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga'' is the sixth studio album by American rock band Spoon. It was first released on July 10, 2007, through Merge Records and Anti-. It received critical acclaim and appeared on several year-end album lists. The album debuted at number 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and at number 1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Independent Albums, selling 46,000 copies in its first week. By January 2010, the album had sold 318,000 copies in the United States. It was supported by two singles; " The Underdog" and " Don't You Evah". Production "Don't Make Me a Target" was originally written by Daniel while Spoon was producing its previous album, '' Gimme Fiction''. The band practiced it "quite a bit" before the release of ''Gimme Fiction'', but ended up shelving it for a year after unsuccessful attempts to work out an arrangement they liked. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Suburbs (Arcade Fire Album)
''The Suburbs'' is the third studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, released on August 3, 2010. Coinciding with its announcement, the band released a limited edition 12-inch single containing the title track and "Month of May".“Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs to be released August 3” . Nationalpost.com. Retrieved May 27, 2010.“Hear Two New Arcade Fire Songs and an Interview” . NPR's All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen talked to Arcade Fire's Win and Will Butler about the record, while also offering a special preview of the songs “Month of May ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Neon Bible
''Neon Bible'' is the second studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. It was first released on March 5, 2007, in Europe and a day later in North America by Merge Records. Originally announced on December 16, 2006, through the band's website, the majority of the album was recorded at a church the band bought and renovated in Farnham, Quebec. The album is the first to feature drummer Jeremy Gara, and the first to include violinist Sarah Neufeld among the band's core line-up. ''Neon Bible'' became Arcade Fire's highest-charting album at the time, debuting on the ''Billboard'' 200 at number two, selling 92,000 copies in its first week and more than 400,000 to date. Being released within a month of similarly successful releases by The Shins ('' Wincing the Night Away'') and Modest Mouse ('' We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank''), ''Neon Bible'' was cited as an example of the popularization of indie rock. ''Neon Bible'' received widespread critical acclaim. Publicat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Funeral (Arcade Fire Album)
''Funeral'' is the debut studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, released on September 14, 2004 by Merge Records. Preliminary recordings for ''Funeral'' were made during the course of a week in August 2003 at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal, Quebec, and the recording was completed later that year all in an analogue recording format. Its lyrics draw upon themes of death, change, and the loss of childhood innocence, inspired by the recent passing of several bandmates' family members during its production. The first half of the album, dubbed the 'Neighborhood' suite, centres around a town struggling with a power outage in the middle of winter, based on personal experience during the North American ice storm of 1998. The album produced five singles, with " Rebellion (Lies)" being the most successful, having peaked at #19 on the UK Singles Chart. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005 for Best Alternative Music Album. It received widespread critical acclaim an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
