The upcoming book on the story of Merge Records has boosted its online presence with a new website that features, among other things, a comprehensive timeline of what is now one of the most successful indie rock record labels in history.
As we reported last month, the book, going by the full title of Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records, the Indie Label That Got Big and Stayed Small, is being released on September 15 by Algonquin Books. Written by author John Cook, the book details the story of Mac MacCaughan and Laura Balance starting a record label in the late '80s to release records by their own band, Superchunk, and shaping it over the years to launch the careers of bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel, the Arcade Fire, Spoon and the Magnetic Fields, to name just a few. MacCaughan and Balance have co-author credits on the book which coincides with Merge's 20-year anniversary this year.
Besides behind-the-scenes stories about the label and its bands over the years, the book also includes band photos, album art, handwritten lyrics, concert posters, set lists and an intro by Ryan Adams, who recently appeared on the Merge Records covers album doing a rendition of Superchunk's "Like a Fool."
Merge is currently taking pre-orders on the 320-page book for a mere $17.95 plus shipping, and surely there's a spot on any self-respecting indie rocker's coffee table for this one.
And seriously, check out that website. It's pretty damn awesome.
As we reported last month, the book, going by the full title of Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records, the Indie Label That Got Big and Stayed Small, is being released on September 15 by Algonquin Books. Written by author John Cook, the book details the story of Mac MacCaughan and Laura Balance starting a record label in the late '80s to release records by their own band, Superchunk, and shaping it over the years to launch the careers of bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel, the Arcade Fire, Spoon and the Magnetic Fields, to name just a few. MacCaughan and Balance have co-author credits on the book which coincides with Merge's 20-year anniversary this year.
Besides behind-the-scenes stories about the label and its bands over the years, the book also includes band photos, album art, handwritten lyrics, concert posters, set lists and an intro by Ryan Adams, who recently appeared on the Merge Records covers album doing a rendition of Superchunk's "Like a Fool."
Merge is currently taking pre-orders on the 320-page book for a mere $17.95 plus shipping, and surely there's a spot on any self-respecting indie rocker's coffee table for this one.
And seriously, check out that website. It's pretty damn awesome.
