Merge Records

Radar Brothers are hitting the road once again in support of their recent release Eight. Beginning in Los Angeles on June 12 at the Satellite, the Bros will head north and then east with Ola Podrida supporting on most of the dates.

Radar Brothers released Eight in January to much acclaim including the L.A. Times who declared that the band “have never sounded this inspired” and Magnet Magazine named the album their “most intriguing, compelling work yet.”

Eight combines surreal imagery and psychedelia. It’s both a personal statement and an escape into textured, multi-faceted songs. Now a six-piece, Radar Brothers spent the past few years collaborating, meshing their writing styles and recording an album that seamlessly welds together various worlds—not altogether unlikely influences, just … unexpected. This release marks the first time we are releasing an album on LP and digital only.

Watch the video for “House of Mirrors” now at YouTube. Strictly limited to 1000 LPs worldwide, the vinyl albums include a CD. Eight is available now on LP and digital download in the Merge store.

Radar Brothers on tour:
* = w/ Ola Podrida
June 1 Pasadena, CA Make Music Pasadena
June 12 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite*
June 13 San Francisco, CA Cafe du Nord*
June 14 Davis, CA Sophia’s Thai Kitchen*
June 16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
June 17 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern*
June 18 Boise, ID Neurolux*
June 20 Englewood, CO Moe’s Denver*
June 23 Austin, TX The Mohawk*
June 25 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
June 26 Tucson, AZ Club Congress

Radar Brothers have released the video for “House of Mirrors” from their new album Eight.

LA Weekly premiered the video saying, “Not unlike the tumbleweed in The Big Lebowski, an acoustic guitar goes on self-guided tour of Los Angeles in the new video for the Radar Bros. song ‘House of Mirrors.’ The ocean, the Hollywood walk of fame, the barber shop; there’s a lot to see. It’s a great song, too, if you like driving, swirling, ear-pleasing pop rock of the independently-conceived variety.”

Watch the “House of Mirrors” video now at Merge’s YouTube page

Eight combines surreal imagery and psychedelia. It’s both a personal statement and an escape into textured, multi-faceted songs. Now a six-piece, Radar Brothers spent the past few years collaborating, meshing their writing styles and recording an album that seamlessly welds together various worlds—not altogether unlikely influences, just … unexpected. This release marks the first time we are releasing an album on LP and digital only.

Strictly limited to 1000 LPs worldwide, the vinyl albums include a CD. Eight is available now on LP and digital download in the Merge store.

Radar Brothers on tour:
Feb 28 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite w/ Califone
Mar 1 San Francisco, CA Noise Pop – Cafe du Nord w/ Califone
Mar 2 Reno, NV Chapel Tavern

Radar Brothers new album Eight will be in-stores on January 26, but hear it now in its entirety at Popmatters.

Hear Eight and read an interview with Jim & Be from Radar Brothers at Popmatters.com

Eight combines surreal imagery and psychedelia. It’s both a personal statement and an escape into textured, multi-faceted songs. Now a six-piece, Radar Brothers spent the past few years collaborating, meshing their writing styles and recording an album that seamlessly welds together various worlds—not altogether unlikely influences, just … unexpected. This release marks the first time we are releasing an album on LP and digital only.

Strictly limited to 1000 LPs worldwide, the vinyl albums include a CD and will include a free Merge slip mat. Pre-order Eight now in the Merge store.

Radar Brothers on tour:
Jan 31 San Francisco, CA Hemlock Tavern
Feb 1 Merced, CA Merced Arts Center
Feb 2 Los Angeles, CA The Echo

We have a very exciting year ahead, so let’s get this party started with new songs from our first five releases of 2013. All are available for pre-order now in the Merge store. Happy New Year!


Amor de Días - “Jean’s Waving” from The House at Sea


Radar Brothers – “If We Were Banished” from Eight


Shout Out Louds – “Blue Ice” from Optica


Mount Moriah – “Younger Days” from Miracle Temple


William Tyler – “Cadillac Desert” from Impossible Truth

Radar Brothers have premiered “If We Were Banished,” the first single from their forthcoming album Eight, on Pitchfork.

Along with the stream of “If We Were Banished,” Pitchfork’s Ian Cohen writes, “The first single from their eighth album (titled Eight, natch) shows that the slowcore aesthetic they’ve developed over the past decade and change can transcend the arctic origins of the genre (Codeine, Low) and embody the incapacitating effects of July heat.”

Listen to Radar Brothers’ “If We Were Banished” now at SoundCloud

Eight may be Radar Brothers’ darkest, hardest rocking, most psychedelic, and yet most intensely personal album to date. From Putnam’s tribute to Joni Mitchell’s cover art (The Hissing of Summer Lawns) to the surreal, picturesque lyrics to the unidentifiable textures and sounds that pour from your speakers like liquid paintings—this may also be the band’s most visual album to date.

Pre-order Eight on LP now in the Merge store. LP will include CD in package. All pre-orders will be shipped to arrive on or before January 29 and receive a free Merge slipmat. Don’t forget to use the Merge Holiday Code, too!

Radar Brothers on tour:
Jan 31 San Francisco, CA Hemlock Tavern
Feb 1 Merced, CA Merced Arts Center
Feb 2 Los Angeles, CA the Echo

Radar Brothers return with Eight, a very special new release only available on LP and digital beginning January 29. Featuring an expanded band of brothers including Stevie Treichel and Be Hussey from The Illustrated Garden as well as new members Dan Iead (formerly of The Broken West) on guitar/pedal steel, Brian Cleary on keyboards and Ethan Walter on piano and synthesizers. Between the two keyboards and Iead and Putnam’s guitars, the band orchestrates a swirling fervor that glides over Treichel and Hussey’s rhythmic aggressions.

The band called the record Eight (being their eighth), and it may well be Radar Brothers’ darkest, hardest rocking, most psychedelic, and yet most intensely personal album to date. From Putnam’s tribute to Joni Mitchell’s cover art (The Hissing of Summer Lawns) to the surreal, picturesque lyrics to the unidentifiable textures and sounds that pour from your speakers like liquid paintings—this may also be the band’s most visual album to date.

So forget everything that you know or have ever thought about Radar Brothers. From the very start, Eight explodes with newness and bold, otherworldly jaunts. While paying tribute to their past on several songs, the band retains its swagger in this new territory throughout the rest.

Pre-order Eight on LP now in the Merge store. LP will include CD in package. All pre-orders will be shipped to arrive on or before January 29 and receive a free Merge slipmat.

Teenage Fanclub will appear live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight! They will perform “Baby Lee” from their latest album, Shadows.

Teenage Fanclub are now on tour with Radar Brothers and will play tonight at the Bowery Ballroom in New York with The Clean, too! Shadows is available on CD and digital download in the Merge store where you can also find a special Radar Brothers / Teenage Fanclub bundle in honor of their tour.

Teenage Fanclub on tour:
9/28 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom* w/ Radar Brothers AND The Clean
9/30 Brooklyn, NY Williamsburg Waterfront w/ Belle & Sebastian
10/01 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero*
10/02 Washington, DC 9:30 Club* w/ Radar Brothers & The Vaselines
10/03 Millvale, PA Mr. Small’s Theater*
10/05 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall*
10/06 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall*
10/07 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue*
10/11 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theater*
10/12 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore*
10/14 Seattle, WA Showbox at the Market w/ Superchunk & Telekinesis
10/15 Portland, OR Showbox at the Market w/ Superchunk & Telekinesis
10/16 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret

To celebrate the upcoming joint tour dates featuring Teenage Fanclub and Radar Brothers, we are having a sale! For a limited-time, get a bundle of Teenage Fanclub’s Shadows and Radar Brothers’ The Illustrated Garden on CD for only $21.98 with free domestic shipping!

While most bands are lucky to have one great songwriter, Teenage Fanclub are blessed with three, hence Shadows is overflowing with the kind of gorgeous, harmony-driven classics you’d expect to find on a greatest hits album.

The Illustrated Garden is the punchiest, most lyrically direct set of songs Radar Brothers’ has released to date. The songs are unmistakably Radar Brothers, but the Treichel/Hussey rhythm section often pushes them in unexpected directions.

Teenage Fanclub & Radar Brothers on tour:
9/24 Montreal, QC Le National
9/25 Boston, MA Royale
9/27 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
9/28 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
10/01 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
10/02 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
10/03 Millvale, PA Mr. Small’s Theater
10/05 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
10/06 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
10/07 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
10/11 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theater
10/12 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore

Teenage Fanclub’s long-awaited North American tour in support of Shadows will begin September 22 in Toronto! Radar Brothers will join Teenage Fanclub on several dates in support of their latest release The Illustrated Garden.

Tickets are going fast for Teenage Fanclub’s previously announced September 27 Bowery Ballroom show, so they have added a second show at the Bowery Ballroom on September 28 (tickets on sale 8/25 at noon)! Radar Brothers will join Teenage Fanclub on both NYC dates and more that are listed below.

Don’t miss your chance to see this very special tour!

Teenage Fanclub North American tour:
* = w/ Radar Brothers
9/22 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern
9/23 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern
9/24 Montreal, QC Le National*
9/25 Boston, MA Royale*
9/27 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom*
9/28 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom*
9/28 New York, NY Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
9/30 Brooklyn, NY Williamsburg Waterfront w/ Belle and Sebastian
10/01 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero*
10/02 Washington, DC 9:30 Club*
10/03 Millvale, PA Mr. Small’s Theater*
10/05 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall*
10/06 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall*
10/07 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue*
10/11 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theater*
10/12 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore*
10/14 Seattle, WA Showbox w/ Superchunk & Telekinesis
10/15 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom w/ Superchunk & Telekinesis
10/16 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret

Spring has sprung and it is time for a new free Merge sampler! Featuring hit songs from the latest albums of Radar Brothers, Spoon, Let’s Wrestle, She & Him and more, visit amazon.com now to download all fourteen free songs with special cover art by Let’s Wrestle’s Wesley Patrick Gonzalez!

As always, you can find new albums from all of these artists and more in our handy Merge store.

Free Merge 2010 digital sampler track listing:
1. Radar Brothers – Horses Warriors (from The Illustrated Garden)
2. Let’s Wrestle – I Won’t Lie to You (from In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s)
3. Destroyer – The Very Modern Dance (from Streethawk: A Seduction)
4. Shout Out Louds – Fall Hard (from Work)
5. Spoon – Written in Reverse (from Transference)
6. Lou Barlow – Don’t Apologize (from Goodnight Unknown)
7. She & Him – Thieves (from Volume Two)
8. Superchunk – Learned to Surf (from Leaves in the Gutter)
9. Alec Bathgate – Glide (from Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox)
10. The Clientele – I Wonder Who We Are (from Bonfires on the Heath)
11. Caribou – Odessa (from Swim)
12. The Clean – In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul (from Mister Pop)
13. Wye Oak – I Hope You Die (from My Neighbor / My Creator)
14. Lambchop – Give It (from Live at XX Merge)

Radar Brothers have added some new tour dates including the Silverlake Jubilee and several shows opening for Modest Mouse to their summer show calendar! Don’t miss your chance to experience in person what The AV Club described as “that feeling of being happily sunbaked and mildly delirious, subsisting on pure sensory intake.”

The Illustrated Garden is available now in the Merge store!

Radar Brothers on tour (new dates in bold):
^ = w/ Modest Mouse
5/23 Los Angeles, CA Silverlake Jubilee
6/17 San Diego, CA  Soda Bar
6/18 Santa Cruz, CA  The Crepe Place
6/21 Portland, OR  Mississippi Studios
6/22 Seattle, WA  Sunset Tavern
6/24 San Francisco, CA  Rickshaw Stop
7/07 Tempe, AZ Yucca Tap Room
7/09 Santa Fe, NM Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre ^
7/10 Broomfield, CO First Bank Center ^
7/12 Sioux Falls, SD Ramkota Exhibit Hall ^
7/13 Fargo, ND Hub at the Venue ^
7/14 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre ^

Radar Brothers’ new album, The Illustrated Garden was released late last month to fabulous reviews, and now we have more opportunities for you to see them live!

As Spin described, the audience at our SXSW showcase was “smitten” as Radar Brothers played to a packed house. “The bros” have added new shows in southern California, and we are expecting more soon! Get your copy of The Illustrated Garden on CD and digital download now in the Merge store!

Radar Brothers on tour
4/17 Los Angeles, CA  Echo Curio
4/26 Los Angeles, CA  Echo
6/17 San Diego, CA  Soda Bar
6/18 Santa Cruz, CA  The Crepe Place
6/21 Portland, OR  Mississippi Studios
6/22 Seattle, WA  Sunset Tavern
6/24 San Francisco, CA  Rickshaw Stop

“Each track glows like a golden hour snapshot capturing a certain sunset idealism.” ~Pitchfork

“The record spins the mood that Radar Brothers fans have come to expect: that feeling of being happily sunbaked and mildly delirious, subsisting on pure sensory intake.” ~The Onion AV Club

“Singer/guitarist Putnam’s languid, dreamy songs are melodic, moody, and always a treat to listen to.” ~Tape Op

Merge will be well-represented at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin this year with eight bands and two special Our Noise events. Our bands will be playing all over the city during the festival, so if you will be in Austin, keep your eyes peeled for all of the cool daytime parties being announced daily.

Our helpful flyer is below – click to make it larger & to print it to take with you! Share the link on your twitter & Facebook, too!

Spoon are headlining the NPR show at Stubbs BBQ on Wednesday, March 17 (12:15 am) and She & Him are playing a free, open to the public show at Auditorium Shores on Saturday March 20 (8 pm).  Superchunk are playing a free Village Voice day party at La Zona Rosa on March 19 (3 pm).

Merge Showcase @ Cedar Street Courtyard
208 West 4th St b/t Colorado & Lavaca
Thursday, March 18th
7 PM
(from first to last)
Special Guest
Let’s Wrestle
Radar Brothers
She & Him
Wye Oak
Lou Barlow + the missingmen
The Love Language

Merge @ Homeslice Pizza’s “Music by the Slice” Party
1415 Congress Ave.
Free & Open to the public

Thursday, March 18:
1:30 pm The Love Language
2:15 pm Radar Brothers

Friday, March 19:
Noon Let’s Wrestle
3:45  Wye Oak
6:45  Lou Barlow

Also, book events!

Our Noise event @ Book People (603 N. Lamar Blvd)
Wednesday, March 17 at 6PM
Free & Open to the Public
Mac & Laura will read selections from their book, Our Noise, and will perform covers of songs from selected bands mentioned in the book. They’ll be available to sign books afterwards, too.

Our Noise panel @ SXSW Convention Center
Thursday, March 18 at 2PM
Open to convention registrants only
Michael Azerrad will moderate a Q&A-style event with Mac & Laura about Our Noise and 20 years of Merge Records.