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Best of Best of 2009 Lists

Andrew Hibbard — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:17:11 +0000

If it’s snowing in December, it must mean year-end lists. In addition to recess’ own which ran a couple weeks ago, millions of others have surfaced across the interweb, but below are a few especially noteworthy ones. Check it out:

The Independent has a locally flavored wrap-up of the end of the aughts, highlighting the top 10 albums and 40 songs (some favorites: Hammer, Red Collar, Megafaun, Bowerbirds, Midtown, Love Language and Bombadil)
Everyone and Mac McCaughan’s mother at Merge Records has dropped a list over at their blog
The good folks over at Trekky Records have compiled some really stellar lists in the form of “TRK Best of 2k9″ (My biased favorites: Will Hackney, Clare Connolly, Martin Anderson — Bill Callahan and Mount Eerie!)
WXDU’s Ross Grady weighed in
A bunch of people dropped guests lists on Pitchfork, among them lots of Merge Artists (Jeremy Gara, Dan Bejar, etc.) and rising star Chaz Bundick who we caught up with earlier this year
Karen Mann has her five favorite local releases on her blog
Megafaun recount some of their favorite things of the year (and release a cover of “I Saw Three Ships”) on Hometapes’ blog as part of the label’s 8 Days of Hometapes
All Songs Considered (and NPR music) always puts together smart pieces and their year-end list is good, but this map is possibly better

Finally, I just want to throw in Freddy Ruppert’s year-end list because he has some great picks on there, but also because the Former Ghosts’ debut album was really spectacular.

Here’s to 2010.

The Love Language Join Merge

Andrew Hibbard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:28:33 +0000

Add another Chapel Hill band to the tally. That’s right, the Love Language are joining Merge Record’s roster. After touring with the Rosebuds and blowing up on the heels of the release of their debut LP, the band seems a nice fit for the king of local labels.

In the press release, Stuart McLamb said,

“As of yesterday I’ve overdrawn my bank account by $200, my girlfriend dumped me and my car won’t start. I think this Merge deal could be a real turning point.”

Mac and Laura–making things happens. The band is currently at work on the sophomore LP, set for 2010.

VIDEO: McCaughan & Ballance Perform at Regulator Bookshop, 9/15/09

Kevin Lincoln — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:33:17 +0000

In addition to reading from Our Noise last night, Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan made some music. The two played “Throwing Things” from No Pocky for Kitty, and McCaughan played two solo covers: the first from Butterglory’s Matt Sugg’s debut album, “Where’s Your Patience Dear?” The second was from Lambchop’s How I Quit Smoking, “Theone,” which McCaughan doesn’t know how to pronounce. Check out the videos below.

NPR pays tribute to Merge's Big 2-0

Jessie Tang — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:04:10 +0000

In a recent episode of NPR’s “All Songs Considered,” the show honors Chapel Hill-based record label Merge Records as it celebrates 20 years of groundbreaking business.

The co-founders, Mac McCaughn and Laura Ballance, discuss topics such as why they decided to dive into this musical arena and how Kinko’s was a good employer while they started up the company.

Check out recess‘ feature of the “XX Merge” musical festival that takes place July 22 to 26 at various venues around Chapel Hill.

The Rosebuds to Play DAC Benefit April 24

Jessie Tang — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:02:39 +0000

Courtesy GoldenBelt

The poster says it all. Local indie favorites and Merge band the Rosebuds and special guests Midtwon Dickens come together for a benefit concert hosted by Golden Belt April 24 at 9 p.m. All net proceeds go to support Durham Arts Council. Tickets are $12 a pop, and those basking in the return of OnlyBurger can get there fix at the show.