photo- DL Anderson
There’s not much to be written about Merge Records, or the label’s 20th anniversary party this weekend, that you don’t already know. You know that they were instrumental in developing the ‘80s/early ‘90s North Carolina indie-rock scene (Polvo, Pure, Angels of Epistemology, Erectus Monotone and label owners Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance’s own Superchunk). You know that they’ve had major successes with The Arcade Fire and Spoon, just to name a couple, all while maintaining an artist-centered small-label feel. And you know that unless you already bought your tickets to this week’s big birthday blowout, you’re kind of screwed (and, yes, that includes yours truly, so if anyone out there has an extra ticket for any of this week’s shows feel free to e-mail me). But if you notice the answer Merge co-founder and Superchunk singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan gave to the first question in this Five Questions interview, you still have a couple of good options. Plus, according to the Merge Web site, ticket holders must be at Cat’s Cradle by 10 p.m. each night. After 10, they reserve the right to sell tickets to fans at the door.
1. Is there any way that folks who don’t have tickets to XXMerge can see any of the bands or shows (giveaways, secret shows at other locations, etc.?
Well there are still a few tickets available for the show at Memorial Hall on the Sunday night (the 26th) with She & Him, American Music Club, and Wye Oak, and there’s also a daytime outdoor show that’s free to the public at the Orange County Social Club in Carrboro on Saturday the 25th, so there are definitely some options still open.
2. Which is more personally satisfying to you, being a musician or helping other musicians through the label?
I still think of myself as a musician more than anything, so for me making a record is more satisfying that releasing someone else’s record, but really it’s apples and oranges and there are rewards to both. All the records we put out on Merge are unique and it’s great to be involved in getting them out there.
3. Is there a band you regret NOT signing?
Well we really wanted to sign the Dirty Projectors but it didn’t work out—Portastatic played a show with them one freezing night in Minneapolis a few years ago and i became a huge fan of theirs. We wanted to work with Bon Iver but were a little late to the process…we’re so busy working on what we’re working on that we don’t make quick decisions about stuff like that, which for the most part serves us well. In general there’s no time to worry about the bands you’re not working with.
4. Tell us about Merge with Motion. What is it, and how did the idea come about? (Note, this event took place July 18 at the Carolina Theatre)
We were approached by Sarah Honer at the Triangle Youth Ballet about putting together a program of choreographers and dancers creating new work to Merge music. with that name i thought it would be like 10 year olds tap dancing to Destroyer or something, which also would have been cool! but it’s not kids, it’s adults and young adults doing the dancing and the choreography and it should be really cool to bring these two art forms together. The Rosebuds are going to play live as well.
5. What does Merge want for its birthday?
An extra few hours in the day?
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