ndie rock wouldn't be the same without Merge Records. Chapel Hill, North Carolina's pride and joy has released some of the most influential, most adored and most amazing records since its establishment back in 1989. Started as a creative output for its founders, Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance, also known as Superchunk, the label wasn't even the first to release a full-length Superchunk album. After signing to Matador for their first three records, the band thought it would be interesting to see how well they'd do releasing their own records, while releasing music by other artists they admired. Merge first attracted attention when Superchunk released their romantic opus Foolish in 1994.

From these humble beginnings the label began to sign notable acts, such as Lambchop (ultra suave country blues), Stephin Merrit (The Magnetic Fields, The 6ths, The Gothic Archies, and the Future Bible Heroes), Neutral Milk Hotel (crazy noise-folk), Third Eye Foundation (abstract drum n' bass), and East River Pipe (woefully underrated pop gems). NYC's Matador Records may have signed all of the major indie tour-de- forces (Pavement, Liz Phair, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Belle & Sebastian), but they had a little help from their friends at Capitol/EMI, whereas Merge, has always remained true and independent.

The label entered its second decade with grace and integrity. When an act like ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead left to get some more money for their next record, Merge gained bands like Spoon and Imperial Teen, two bands who lost their major label contracts, and ended up releasing their best work with Merge. The Magnetic Fields released a triple album about love, Lambchop has released spectacular album after spectacular album, and the heroes, Superchunk, released probably their best record ever in 2001, just when people were beginning to forget about them. Things are looking bright for indie stalwarts, Merge Records- and they will only keep getting better if the past is any indication.

Label Roster Highlights: Superchunk, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Spoon, Lambchop, Stephin Merrit, Neutral Milk Hotel, Third Eye Foundation.

Ten Essential Releases:
Superchunk - Foolish
Neutral Milk Hotel - On Avery Island
Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Madonna
The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs
The Ladybug Transistor - The Albermarle Sound
Lambchop - Nixon
The Clientele - Suburban Light
Superchunk - Here's To Shutting Up
Spoon - Kill The Moonlight