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Why did you pick the name Merge, why not "Buy Our Records Please!"?
"Hmmm, it was pretty random -- Laura and I were driving across the desert and
had already decided to start a label when we got home (this was the summer
of 1989) and were coming up with names for our fictional label, and we saw
a road sign that said "Merge" and it seemed vague enough to work. Luckily,
I can not remember any of the other names we thought about. And you know,
there really was a label called "Buy Our Records"."
The label was set up by Superchunk's McCaughan and Ballance. It must be hard
to run both a label and have a band at the same time. How much are they
still involved in the label?
"We are still quite involved in the label -- when we're not on tour we're in
here on weekdays like a normal job, though of course it's not quite normal.
All the bands are still chosen by Laura and I, which is the most important
thing I think. But Laura especially runs the financial and business side of
the label day to day -- especially right now as we are in between accountants."
The D.I.Y. ethic has always played an important role for Superchunk. How
does it effect your label?
"We've always run Merge the same way we run Superchunk. I think that's
not only why it's been successful, but also why we're able to work with such
great artists like Lambchop, Magnetic Fields, etc. Because as a band you
know that the people running your label are interested in art, not just the
bottom line."
What was the first record you released? How was the experience like?
"Well, first Merge put out a couple of tapes (my bands Bricks and WWAX) and
then our first 7", a band Laura and I were in called Metal Pitcher. Then
came the first Chunk single (before we changed our name to
Superchunk)....it was pretty exciting, especially getting the first
positive reviews (back when we cared about the press I guess) and selling
the records pretty easily, especially for bands no one had ever heard of."
I guess the label was mostly set up to release Superchunk records. How did
it end up being a label with a roster of such fine bands as Neutral Milk
Hotel and the Magnetic Fields?
"Like I said before... and I also think that being in a band like Superchunk (as well
as running the label) means that we're travelling a lot, meeting other
bands, playing with other bands, etc. And some of the artists we've met
this way. Others were just friends of ours who started bands (Spent,
Lambchop) and others were bands whose records Laura or I had bought and
were fans of, and then we ended up working with them (Magnetic Fields,
Versus, Pram, Rock*A*Teens). So it happens all different ways."
You can't really speak of a Merge sound as the bands all sound pretty
different. Is there an element that ties the bands together?
"I guess the only real element is that Laura and I have to like them a lot.
And that they are bands who want to be on a label that may not be the
biggest or wealthiest label, but is a label that cares about (what we
think) are the most important things for the artists when it comes to
working in this business. I mean, we have to be business people as well,
and can't always do as much as we would like for the bands in terms of tour
support, buying them large houses and buses to tour in, etc. But for the
most part I think we balance art and commerce well."
How do you decide which bands get the Merge logo on their records? I mean,
when you receive a demo tape, what do you want to hear?
"Hmmm, something that's surprising and affecting but not affected or
self-conscious, and that's compelling to listen to."
The packaging, is it as important as the music? Do you give full control to
the bands?
"We give them as much control as we can afford! Some projects it makes more
sense to spend lots of money on packaging (Magnetic Fields box sets)
because we know the band can justify it with how many records they can
sell, some projects don't make sense (the Music Tapes) but we do it anyway!
I've always loved great packaging but obviously the music is the most
important thing."
Vinyl, are people still buying it by the ton? I noticed you also
sell tapes!
"Well, we have some tapes but we don't make new ones. Vinyl sales are pretty
stagnant -- we still can sell a certain amount of most releases. But the
number is not going up that's for sure. Vinyl is so much more expensive
than cds to manufacture. Unless the band has the type of following that
will definitely buy lots of vinyl, it's often better for the bands to do
cd-only releases. For the consumer the price of vinyl is now often as much
as or more than the price of cds, so even there it's not an advantage to do
vinyl. Most of the records I buy are old."
Besides releasing records, does Merge have any other activities?
"Not really, it's all we can do to keep this place in order!"
How does the internet affect the label? Do you feel MP3s and
Napster is just a big laugh or is it really a treath?
"I think the only threat is in the future, for artists, if they don't figure
out how to pay artists for songs that are traded online. Right now I don't
think Napster is effective or fast enough to be a real threat, but it's only
a matter of time. I like the idea of it as long as artists can be compensated."
Can you tell us a typical day at the office? You come in, put on the stereo
and kick out the jams to Kenny G?
"Today is not typical, because its so fucking hot here that I'm about to go
home! Our air conditioning is broken and North Carolina is HOT in the
summer...Today I came in, half of our staff was late which is unfortunately
typical, I had some coffee, listened to some jazz and the new Blackalicious
album, as well as the new Versus record we're releasing in the fall. Most
of the business I do is on the phone, or online. Not too thrilling, I guess!"
Any future releases that should keep us awake at night?
"The new 6ths album (Stephin Merritt's project with guest singers like Marc
Almond and Sally Timms), the Versus album, a new Spoon record, Paul Burch
and the WPA Ballclub (Lambchop members), all kinds of things!"
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