Most Influential Experience: Living in NYC this summer, learned a lot and was surrounded by great people, art, music, food, random cool things, etc.!

Favorite Concert: Foster the People at Bowery Ballroom

Best Thing I ate: Grasshopper cupcake at “Baked” in Brooklyn

Favorite Song: “October Road” by Balto

Favorite Trip: Mardi Gras and road trip from New Orleans to Memphis and Nashville via the “Blues Highway” in Mississippi

Favorite Show: Tie between Parks & Recreation and Always Sunny In Philadelphia, how did I just discover these shows this year?!

Favorite Movie: Without a doubt the last Harry Potter movie

Favorite Book: The Hunger Games

Favorite Site: The Oatmeal

Battles, “Ice Cream” (dir. CANADA)
Columbus, “Hubble” (dir. The Crystal Beach)
Com Truise, “Brokendate” (dir. Will Joines)
Goldfish, “We Come Together” (dir. Mike Scott)
Is Tropical, “The Greeks” (dir. Megaforce)
Kaisoku Tokyo, “Copy” (dir. Takahiro Yasuda)
Madeon, “Pop Culture” (dir. Nathan Barnatt)
The New Pornographers, “Moves” (dir. Tom Scharpling)
Scooter, “Friends Turbo” (dir. Steffen Haars & Flip Van Der Kull)
Tune-Yards, “Bizness” (dir. Mimi Cave)

5.  The Boylan Soda fountain at Bull City Burger & Brewery.  The only one in North Carolina!
4.  Falls Lake / Eno River State Parks.  Highlight: the Cox Mountain trail at Eno River. (thanks Maggie!)
3.  Hopscotch Music Festival.  No better way to learn Raleigh than by non-stop walking around downtown for a weekend.  Highlights: John Vanderslice, Titus Andronicus and Des Ark amongst many many others.
2.  The rock quarry swimming hole (Shhhhh)
1. Full Frame International Documentary Film Festival.  The premier documentary film festival in the whole world and it’s right here in Durham!  Every film I saw was enjoyable.  Highlight: “Il Capo”

Other 2011 hits:

Jonny Corndawg – “Down on the Bikini Line”
“American Juggalo”
Saintseneca – “Last”
Country Mice – S/T
Hi Ho Silver Oh – “Showers Without Warning” 7″
Josh T. Pearson – “Last of the Country Gentlemen” (thanks Wilson!)
The Black Swans – “Don’t Blame the Stars” (thanks Leo!)
Destroyer – “Kaputt”
“The Whore of Akron” by Scott Raab

Joe’s Top 8 AMV
(Based on favorite Anime/Videogames of 2011)
==============================
#1 – Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Shaft/Aniplex)
#2 – Crysis (2007, EA)
#3 – Adventure Time (Cartoon Network)
#4 – Portal 2 (Valve)
#5 – My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic (Hasbro)
#6 – Dead Space (2008, EA)
#7 – Elfen Lied (2004, ARMS )
#8 – Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009 Eidos)

Top 10 Shows
Jeff Mangum @ 2640 Space at Baltimore’s St. John’s Church
Alternative Press tour 2011 (ain’t even kidding)
Joy Formidable / Fang Island @ The Cat’s Cradle
The Love Language / Archers of Loaf @ The Cat’s Cradle
Des Ark @ King’s | Hopscotch 2011
The Flaming Lips from 11th floor of the Raleigh Sheraton w/ Times New Viking
Kylesa @ Pitchfork Festival
Wild Flag / Eleanor Friedberger @ The Cat’s Cradle
The Menzingers @ The Brewery
Mau a Malawi @ UNC Memorial Hall

Top 10 Records
Des Ark – Don’t Rock the Boat, Sink the Fucker
The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar
Wye Oak – Civilian
Crooked Fingers – Breaks in the Armor
Destroyer – Kaputt
White Wives – Happeners
Banner Pilot – Heart Bleeds Pacific
Four Year Strong – In Some Way, Shape, or Form
Battles – Gloss Drop
Jay-Z / Kanye West – Watch the Throne

Top 10 Miscellany
Moving to Durham
First fixed gear bicycle
VIP Credentials @ Pitchfork Fest (Thanks Kate T!)
Nashville trip 2k11 and its sequel planned for 2k12
Chicago with the BOYS
Bart’s wonderful marriage to Jess
The rise and fall of Kreayshawn
My little sister’s entry to college
New friends from at Polyvinyl
Invention of the slippery Frenchman

Top Non-Merge Albums of 2011

War On Drugs – Slave Ambient
Bill Callahan – apocalypse
J Mascis – several shades of why
Dum Dum Girls – Only In Dreams
Fucked up – David comes to life
Wilco – The Whole Love
Tim Hecker – Ravedeath 1972
Sidi Toure – Sahel Folk
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Feist – Metals
Malkmus/Jicks – Mirror Traffic
Yuck – Yuck
Junior Boys – It’s All True
Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal – Chamber Music
Real Estate – Days
William Tyler – Behold the Spirit

Favorite Reissues of 2011

Sorry Bamba – Vol 1 1970-79
REM – Life’s Rich Pageant
El Rego – El Rego
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Let Love In
Mark Hollis – Mark Hollis & Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
Bitch Magnet – Bitch Magnet
V/A – Local Customs: Pressed At Bodie
Void – Sessions 81-83

Tracks

Bright Eyes – “Shell Games”
Robyn – “Call Your Girlfriend”
Nicky Minaj – “Super Bass”
Bon Iver – “Perth”
Mt. Moriah – “Only Way Out”
Cut Copy – “Need You Now”
Kreashawn – “Gucci Gucci”
Adele – “Rolling In The Deep”
James Blake – “The Wilhelm Scream”
Tom Waits – “New Years Eve”

Art Highlights of 2011

Tacita Dean – FILM
Miyazaki / Ghibli Museum, Tokyo
Kara Walker – Drawings at Sikkema Jenkins
DE-NATURED – Ackland Museum
Yayoi Kusama retrospective at Museo Reina Sofia
Barry Flanagan – Early Works 1965 – 1982
de Kooning retrospective at MOMA
Josephine Halvorson – What Looks Back at Sikkema Jenkins
Marcel Dzama – Behind Every Curtain at David Zwirner
Becoming: Photographs from the Wedge Collection – Nasher Museum

Comedy makes me laugh.

The Best Show on WFMU
Louis CK in all formats.
Amy Schumer – Cutting
Rob Delaney
Todd Barry
Parks n  Recreation
Patrice O’Neal (RIP) – Elephant In the Room
Maria Bamford
Marc Maron’s WTF

Click spreadsheet to make larger

Brian Betancourt’s Top 10ish of 2011ish (in alphabetical order):
Anika – Anika (Stones Throw)
ARMS – Summer Skills (Self-Released)
The Beach Boys – The SMiLE Sessions (Capitol)
Roberto Cacciapaglia – The Ann Steel Album (Resissue on Half Machine)
Cornershop – And The Double ‘O’ Groove Of (Ample Play)
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Mirror Traffic (Matador)
Cass McCombs – Wit’s End/Humor Risk (Domino)
Oneohtrix Point Never – Replica (Software/Mexican Summer)
Van Dyke Parks – Arrangements Vol. 1 (Bananastan)
Scritti Politti – Absolute (Virgin)
Luke Temple – Don’t Act Like You Don’t Care (Western Vinyl)
William Tyler – Behold The Spirit (Tompkins Square)

Amber Papini’s favorites from 2011
Destroyer – Kaputt (Merge)
Kurt Vile -Smoke Ring For My Halo (Matador)
Ride – Nowhere (20th anniversary edition) (Rhino)
Real Estate – Days (Domino)
Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow (Anti-/Fish People)

Taylor’s Best of 2011 List

Albums

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Mirror Traffic (Matador Records) Hooray! My favorite work of his since his self-titled solo album and favorite of the year!
Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer (Merge Records)
Tom Waits – Bad As Me (ANTI- Records)
Wilco – The Whole Love  (dBpm)
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Sup Pop Records)
Of Montreal – thecontrollersphere (Polyvinyl) Pretty weird, even for them. In an awesome way!
Wye Oak – Civilian (Merge Records)
Braids – Native Speaker (Flemish Eye/Kanine)
Givers – In Light (Glassnote Music) I saw them open for and outshine Dirty Projectors!
Tennis – Cape Dory (Fat Possum) They have a song called ‘South Carolina.’ I’m from there!
The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient (Secretly Canadian)

Reissues
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock / Mark Hollis – S/T (Ba Da Bing!)

Shows
Loudon Wainwright III at Barnes and Nobles in Union Square He’s the most entertaining guy!
Justin Townes Earle at Prospect Park and Newport Folk Festival

Books
I think I only read two books that came out in 2011. (Both great!)
Tina Fey – Bossypants
Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow – Grand Design

TV
Ancient Aliens!!!!
Shout out to Dr. Tsoukalos

Movies
The Troll Hunter
Best movie of 2011!
Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
Our Idiot Brother
Take Shelter
The Future
Super 8
Source Code
Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

Things That Existed Previously That I Discovered and Loved in 2011
Patsy Cline
ABBA’s ‘SOS’ and Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing In The Dark’ Great songs or greatest songs?
Sci-fi novels
Twin Peaks
Grateful Dead – American Beauty
Hawaiian shirts

Other
Taco Salad – Making all ‘Best Of’ lists since forever

(alternate title: Toronto Top Ten, Twentyeleven)

++++

1. Banu
You’re hungry. Me too. Let’s get busy with some pomegranate, mint, and walnut-surrounded kebabs at this Iranian joint on Queen West. Also: saffron-infused vodka.

2. Evergreen Brickworks
This is one of the finest examples I’ve seen in the reclaimed factory / green design genre. Saturday’s farmers’ market is an embarrassment of Ontario’s bounty. Step away from the crowd into a network of hiking trails lacing through this gorgeous valley that, impossibly, happens to be in the middle the city. Also: upscale garden center (or centre, if you will), café, winter skating rink, and groovy natural play yard for kids, occasionally staffed with enthusiastic camp counselor types who teach them how to make mud bricks or bake outdoors, etc.

3. Drake General Store
If you are reading the Merge Records blog, you will like the Drake General Store. Exquisitely curated, indie-eclectic smorgasbord of books, bibelots, and Canadiana for the savvy traveler.

4. The Roof Lounge, Park Hyatt
You’re buying? Awesome. Swank (but not too), cozy, expensive room with a view. And a fireplace, natch. (Thanks to @thegoodshopper for introducing me to this one and #7 below.)

5. Sunday Antique Market
Manageable and civilized flea / antique market for tourists and locals. Across the street is the gargantuan and vibrant St. Lawrence market (think butcher, baker, candlestick maker). I forgot if you eat meat, but this is your opportunity to try a peameal bacon sandwich if you go that way.

6. Toronto Islands
A heavenly little escape, just a 10-minute ferry ride from downtown. We’ll ride bikes (no cars on the islands, too much territory to cover on foot), cruising past the crowded midway scene and onto the little lanes of island cottages on Ward’s Island, where a year-round population of 600 lives. Curling around a narrow trail to the beach and back down the boardwalk, you will be confused by the ocean-like scene without ocean-like waves. You will likely fantasize about ditching your dull life and moving here with your cargo bike, your dog, and your typewriter.

7. Ici Bistro
Fantastic modern French cuisine in a lovely little room with impeccable service and a surprisingly interesting Ontario wine list. Lobster bisque and grand marnier soufflé were highlights of my last visit.

8. Design Exchange
The only real reason we are going here is so that you get a Marian Bantjes smashed penny souvenir. (I know! Right?) http://www.bantjes.com/project/empathy-penny

9. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto
Okay, back to my neighborhood to step inside this dimly-lit giant library, where the largest collection of rare books and manuscripts available to the public in Canada lines balconies in a sky-high, slightly sci-fi geometric space that makes one feel appropriately small in the world.

10. The Gallery Grill
Let’s eat again. Nestled in a picture-perfect old stone building on the U of T campus, stained glass windows and neo-gothic arches provide an Oxbridge mood for food that is quite the opposite. Suzanne Baby’s seasonal, local menu lures my husband and I here often for mid-day dates. (They are only open for lunch.) Eyeing today’s menu, for example: Crispy calamari schnitzel / honey butter peas / preserved lemon & anchovy dressing. There’s a tiny library down the hall that feels straight-up Hogwartian.

Come on up!

The Bats
Buffalo Tom
Steve Earle
PJ Harvey
Hiss Golden Messenger
Mount Moriah
Old Bricks
Panda Bear
St. Vincent
Kurt Vile
Tom Waits
Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings

Visiting Zack and Taryn + seeing the Oregon Coast!
Pine State Biscuits
Ninkasi Oatmeal Stout
Radiohead – The King of Limbs
Eleanor Friedberger/Wild Flag @ Cat’s Cradle
Flying Lotus @ Moogfest
Brian Eno’s Illustrated Talk + 77 Million Paintings
Margaret Bourke-White @ AIC (esp. photo of bank vault on Black Friday)
Doing Super 8 filming across the country
Giant version of polaroid photo I took on my parent’s wall
Jenny Besetzt
Hangin with Grace
Seeing my family for Thanksgiving
The Tree of Life
Beginners
A new obsession with keyboards/synths/drum machines
Swans @ Hopscotch
Panel discussion on Narrative Songwriting @ Hopscotch
Hospitality @ Cat’s Cradle
Getting a new job!

What a full year its been!

The return of Crooked Fingers to Merge! – I could not be more thrilled to say “Welcome home” to one of my favorite bands!

WTF Podcast – interviews with comedians that are always surprising and endlessly entertaining. Louis CK & Judd Apatow are essential listens.

Going to the Grammys – Who knew Arcade Fire would win “Album of the Year?!” No one except for Jamie (our head of retail), but we sure had a great time representing Merge!

Fucked Up‘s David Comes to Life – I listened to this album almost on repeat for months.

Friday Night Lights & The New Adventures of Old Christine – Two shows that made those feedings every 2 hours bearable!

Generationals – I love the new Generationals live band and the new record, Actor-Caster! One of my favorite bands.

Destroyer’s Kaputt video & live show – Destroyer’s first video ever did not disappoint – from the moment that weird looking kid wiped his nose, I was blown away! And when the guy pulled out his flute at the Destroyer show at the Cradle, I thought for sure someone in the audience was going home pregnant!

Spite & Malice app on my iphone – Can’t. Stop. Playing. Best card game ever.

Nutter Butters & vanilla ice cream – World’s Best Dessert.

The Beach Boys – The Smile Sessions
Wyatt Cenac – Comedy Person
Cults – s/t
Megafaun – s/t
Mount Moriah – s/t
The Olivia Tremor Control – Black Foliage: Animation Music/Music from the Unrealized Film Script, Dusk at Cubist Castle (Reissues)
Josh T. Pearson – Last of the Country Gentlemen
Pipes You See, Pipes You Don’t – Lost in the Pancakes
Thao & Mirah – s/t
Veronica Falls – s/t
Yuck – s/t

Keith & his daughter Phoebe

Favorite Ten Non-Merge Releases of 2011 (in alphabetical order):

Disappears – Guider
The Feelies – Here Before
Fruit Bats – Tripper
Fucked Up – David Comes to Life
Future Islands – On the Water
Generationals – Actor-Castor
J Mascis – Several Shades of Why
Megafaun – Megafaun
Wilco – The Whole Love
Wire – Red Barked Tree

Check out Tracey Thorn‘s new Night Time and You Are a Lover digital EPs. These EPs are also available limited-edition import vinyl. The Night Time 12-inch is even signed by Tracey and pressed on cool blue vinyl!

Merge is selling the limited-edition Wye Oak 7-inch of covers recorded as part of the AV Club Undercover series. “Strangers” b/w “Mother” is limited to only 1,000 copies and includes a cover of “Strangers” by the Kinks and “Mother” by Danzig. Also for Wye Oak fans, we have reissued their sophomore album The Knot on vinyl, and orders in the Merge store will include a signed poster!

Pre-orders are also available now for our January releases including Merge freshmen Hospitality and the return of Imperial Teen. Pre-order Hospitality’s self-titled debut album on CD or LP before its official release on January 31 to also receive via email their 6-song EP recorded in 2008 at their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau. Imperial Teen’s fifth album Feel The Sound is also available for pre-order on CD and LP. Order now and your CD or LP will come with a cool poster. Hear tracks from both of these albums on our new Spotify “New Release” playlist!

Got your music fix but need new gear? Merge has you covered. She & Him Christmas winter accessories make a great addition to A Very She & Him Christmas and are available just in time for the holidays and winter season. Hats & mittens are going fast, so order yours today!

New additions to Merge Gear are Cranberry Merge Hoodies and Gray Track Jackets.  These American Apparel outerwear options have metallic gold and silver Merge logos screened on them.  They will keep you cozy while looking awesome. Not to mention, they are ridiculously comfortable!

Delany B & Beatrice K celebrating the win!

- Mistook John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats for the copier repairman.
- Worked the merch table at Superchunk’s tour kickoff.
- Stayed up 36 hours to move the Merge Site to a faster web host.
- Arcade Fire’s #1 album, woo!
- Hung out with Let’s Wrestle at Local 506 and elsewhere.
- After-work beers at the Pinhook with awesome co-workers.

photo by Alicia Korenman

Some of the Merge staffers got together and watched the Arcade Fire stream at Pinhook in Durham. Did you have a gathering or did you just watch the action in your PJs? Send us your photos today for a chance at a Merge prize pack!

Watch Terry Gilliam take total control of Arcade Fire backstage at MSG, too! The Suburbs is in stores now!

Fill your cart with our great new releases and don’t forget a tote bag to carry it all in! New pre-orders now available for Superchunk, The Clientele, Versus & Arcade Fire!

Get Up with the Get Down in 2009:

1. The Black Keys: Blak Rock
2. Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion
3. Trampled by Turtles @ Pour House (show)
4. The Heavy: The House That Dirt Built
5. The Moderate: The Rest Is Up To You
6. The Antlers: Hospice
7. The Love Language: The Love Language
8. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: Up from Below
9. Lil’ Wayne: No Ceilings (mixtape)
10. Dark Was The Night

(in no particular order)

Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below
Rose Melberg – Homemade Ship
Vetiver - Tight Knit
Richard Hawley – Truelove’s Gutter
Cotton Jones – Paranoid Cocoon
Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Telekinesis – Telekinesis!
Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions – Through the Devil Softly

10. Music video: Bjork’s “Triumph of a Heart,” where her boyfriend is a cat
9. Poetry book: New Addresses by Kenneth Koch
8. Office supply: 1/2 inch Scotch brand “Magic” tape
7. Non-fiction book: The Rest Is Noise by Alex Ross
6. Movie: “I Love You, Man” (was a lot funnier than I thought it would be)
5. Television: that show about obsessive hoarding
4. Food: Sweet potato tempura at Akai Hana in Carrboro, NC
3. Concert: Animal Collective w/ Grouper at the House of Blues in Boston (May 2009)
2. Song: “Little Secrets” — Passion Pit
1. Album: Middle Cyclone — Neko Case

Bowerbirds – Upper Air
Circulatory System – Signal Morning
Cryptacize – Mythomania
the Dutchess & the Duke – Sunrise / Sunset
God Help the Girl s/t
the Love Language’s debut
Madeline & the White Flag Band - White Flag
Nesey Gallons – Eyes & Eyes & Eyes Ago
Still Flyin’ - Never Gonna Touch the Ground
Violet Vector & the Lovely Lovelies – EP II

Christina, 7 Ft Tall Metronome, & Julian Koster at XX Merge

This list excludes the 2009 Merge albums, because you already know they were the greatest!

Fruit Bats – The Ruminant Band
The Love Language – s/t
God Help the Girl
Greece! – ferries, feral doggies, ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and lots of citron!
Ground Control Showcase @ CMJ ’09 – Surf City, Let’s Wrestle, The Love Language, and Pete & the Pirates!
The Generationals – Con Law
Discovering Julia Child – My Life in France is essential reading.
Mastering the perfect chicken & sausage gumbo
Kronhaus creations & Christinapalooza – every girl deserves a red silk party dress and a big party if she has to get older!
The Thermals – Now We Can See
Rediscovering Paul McCartney’s RAM
Neko Case & Crooked Fingers at Meymandi Concert Hall (And Neko’s fantastic new album, Middle Cyclone!)

Last, but most importantly – XX Merge!  As if we needed more proof that Merge bands & fans are the best!

Nelson & Katie

My Top Ten in 2009 (in no order):

- Completing my first half marathon
- Surviving XX Merge
- Joining the Bowling League and getting my first turkey
- Shoe Dazzle
- The Secret History by Donna Tart
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Escazu Chocolates especially the Sea Salt bar and the Goat’s Milk Bar
-  Graduating from UNC
- Traveling to Germany and Austria with one of my best buddies
- Adopting the best dog ever, Nelson

In lieu of a photo, we have Jay’s brand new music video! His band is Gossip Grows on Trees and the song is “Hollywood!”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Adam's doggie, Otis

Some of the things that made me happy in 2009 (in no particular order):

XX Merge – 33 amazing bands, hundreds of great people, new friends, unbelievable fun & excitement. Too many highlights to list. I’m still tired.
The Clientele: Bonfires on the Heath – I can’t talk about this band without sounding like a lunatic. They are very good.
Califone: All My Friends Are Funeral Singers – their best record yet?
M. Ward: Hold Time – probably my most played record of the year.
Wye Oak- the band, the people, the shows, The Knot. I love ‘em all.
“Please remove your spurs. Come to think of it, remove your antlers.“
“Bundle up my little urchin.”
Doves: Kingdom of Rust – so under appreciated. Need to come back to NC.
David Rawlings playing guitar – makes me want to run away & be a hippie.
CD Alley, Chapel Hill - I’m certainly their most annoying customer. Thank you Ryan, Brian, Thomas & Alison for tolerating me.
Excellent records from Chapel Hill including Ryan Gustafson’s Donkey LP & The Kingsbury Manx Ascenseur Ouvert!
The dude, the terrible little puppy & Sue.

1. Getting married
2. Friends
3. Buying a house
4. Man Day*
5. My new job at Merge
6. Cooking
7. Finishing my book**
8. Video Games
9. Beer
10. Bourbon

*Man Day is when I spend a day at my best friends’ house, and we partake of 10, 9, 8, & 6.
**Comics & Cocktails A through Z , an ABC book for people who like booze, comics and the alphabet. You can find all of the details at FeralChicken.com.

We also have a new official Facebook group. Please “follow” and “friend” us!

photo by Jessie Gladin-Kramer

Visit Design*Sponge for a cool Durham City Guide. Get your tickets for individual nights of XX Merge beginning at 10 AM EST tomorrow, and see all the sights of Durham for yourself in July!

Julian - son of Friend of Merge, Karen Glauber

Bebban - daughter of Sasha Bell (The Essex Green)

Here are a couple of Merge babies to send you off on your Thanksgiving holiday. In the true spirit of giving, instead of running out to the mall on “Black Friday,” subscribe to SCORE! in the comfort of your own home! All proceeds go to charity. And check back on Monday for some excellent sales in the Merge store.

Also, this just in! Listen to NPR’s Morning Edition on Friday morning for an interview with Conor Oberst!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Merge

photo from Metromix by Ryan Muir

See lots more Merge showcase photos and mini-interviews at Metromix Reports, photos and videos are rolling in from CMJ 2008. Post ‘em if we missed some!

Wye Oak @ BrooklynVegan Party

video from NY Times

Idolator has several other Wye Oak videos!

The Music Tapes mini-video taken of the metronome at the Merge showcase!

photo from hooves on the turf

Ryder McCorkindale is showing off his rock cred – Daddy Rob is the drummer on The Broken West’s fantastic new record, Now or Heaven.

The sound of the singing saw and a trumpet along with a few banjos and an accordion wafted across the street this afternoon. Sgt. Dunbar were passing through after playing Athens Popfest and decided to play a few tunes on our corner. Lindsey and I opened our street front windows and enjoyed a Neutral Milk Hotel cover and the novelty of seeing someone smoke while playing the trumpet and saxophone.

Thanks for stopping by, Sgt. Dunbar!

John (web guy, pictured above) is modeling the latest in these-are-my-girlfriend’s-mom’s shorts and I think the no-socks ties it all together.

-spott

Check the Live Daily Sessions Page for more Radar Bros. live videos from the session!

Radar Bros. may be scheduling more tour dates in the following months so keep your eyes peeled!

Buy Auditorium HERE!

Lindsey K.

spott

In it’s fifth year, Girls Rock NC has grown from a one week camp for 24 girls to four full programs for almost 100 girls, and is an official nonprofit organization. With the money raised from the auction, the organization should be able to achieve their goal of eight full scholarships this summer. With any extra money raised, they will begin to build their year-round programming which will include after school music lessons/facilitated band practice and a lending library that includes music, books and instruments for girls in the program. Programs are open to any 7-17 year old girl that wants to participate–no experience or equipment necessary!

With the support of the creative community at large there are more and more camps forming each year. Imagine tens of thousands of girls entering adult society who truly believe in themselves and are absolutely unafraid to make their voices heard.

(CONTINUED: Click permalink below for a list of items available at the silent auction. )
Silent Auction items:
A YEAR’S WORTH of drum lessons (valued at $2000! )
4 guitar lessons
First 45″ record ever released by the Indigo Girls signed by both Amy and Emily (donated by Amy Ray for our auction!)
Collectors Edition Janis Joplin records
3 family photo shoots at Bogart & Bogart Photography including 8×10 portrait prints (valued at $650 each)
Hot Stone Massage (Julie Milton)
Asheville Mountain Cabin for a week!
Night at Rosemary House Bed & Breakfast in Pittsboro
Dinner at Piedmont
Dinner at Lantern
Artwork by Katy Clove, Cheryl Pou, Jean LeCluyse, Charon Andrews, Julie Jones, Courtney Chappell, Tama Hochbaum, Pam George, Mark Cunningham, Rose Rosely and more
Personal Chef services by Shirle’ at Four Corners Cuisine
$300 Gift Certificate from Jewelsmiths
Two framed posters from Somerhill Gallery (valued at $275 each)
Purse and Bag from Details
20 DVDs from Avid Video
Assorted gifts from Cozy
9th Street Dance Class coupon
Manbites Dog Theater Tickets
Gift Certificate to Pops
Family Pass to NC State Museum of Natural Sciences (with Dino Backpacks!)

In Greaves’s experimental, improvisational masterpiece, a second film crew documents the first while they record a series of actors reenacting the same breakup scene over and over again. Tempers flare and complications abound as the struggling crew rebels against Greaves’s refusal to define and chart the direction of the project. Set in Central Park in 1968, this cultural landmark is an insightful and riotous observation of the psychology of performance and the madness of moviemaking.

Greaves will be awarded this year’s Career Award by the festival. You can find more information about him here.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One will be screened tonight at The Carolina Theatre at 11pm and will be introduced by Mac McCaughan.

AUSTIN — A volunteer at a community radio station set fire to the station because he was upset that his song selections for an overnight Internet broadcast were changed, police said.

Paul Webster Feinstein, 24, has been charged with second-degree felony arson for the Jan. 5 fire that caused $300,000 damage to the studios of 91.7 FM KOOP. He faces from two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Feinstein told investigators that he was “very unhappy” about the changes to his playlist, said Austin Fire Department Battalion Chief Greg Nye. The songs were intended for an Internet broadcast that occurs when the station is off the air.

“He had a dream of a career in radio and was very disappointed about where it had led him,” Nye said.