Episode 90: Merge 30!

Episode 90 celebrates the 30th birthday of one of the best independent labels in the biz, Merge Records! The label is in the midst of a weekend long celebration down in North Carolina to commemorate its founding by Superchunk members Mac MaCaughan and Laura Ballance back in 1989, so I decided to have my own little celebration by compiling my favorite songs by Merge artists. The episode starts in the early years of the label with some great 7-inch releases from Superchunk and Archers of Loaf, then travels into the mid-to-late 90s with some classics by East River Pipe, The Ladybug Transistor, and more. Then, the playlist touches on some early aughts indie pop, and enters the 2010s with some great releases from Hospitality and Times New Viking from the 2010s. The episode concludes with a song from 2019 by the inimitable Mountain Goats.

30 looks good on you, Merge! Here’s to many more!