Merge Records

The Making of Mikal Cronin: How a Shy Kid from Laguna Beach Became the Best Pop Songwriter in San Francisco

Watch: Yours Truly Looks at SF Rocker Mikal Cronin on the Release of New Album MCII

After releasing a stunning debut album and signing with vaunted indie label Merge Records, San Francisco rocker Mikal Cronin today releases his second album, MCII. The 10-song collection continues where his debut left off, with driving, hugely melodic pop-rock songs and even more instrumental subtle ... More >>

South-By Superlatives: The Weirdest, Best, and Most Profane of SXSW 2013

Hear Mikal Cronin's "Shout It Out," the First Single Off His New Album MCII

So Mikal Cronin -- the S.F. rocker whose 2011 debut proved way more hooky than its modest garage trappings suggested -- has a new album coming out May 7 on Merge Records. "Shout It Out," the first single, ups Cronin's debut with sleek production and a pretty much indelible chorus, the kind that ling ... More >>

Sizzle & Fizzle: Highs and Lows from the Last Week in S.F. Music

S.F. Rocker Mikal Cronin Signs with Merge Records

One of the breakout stories in San Francisco rock last year was that of Mikal Cronin, a longtime pal of local garage-rocker Ty Segall, whose debut album blew us -- and lots of others -- away. Well, it looks like Cronin's tuneful songwriting made its way into the ears of some folks over at vaunted in ... More >>

Mark Eitzel Asks S.F.'s DJ Foodcourt For Song Advice, Doesn't Get What He Was Hoping For

Poor Mark Eitzel. The San Francisco songwriter, who's known for the gorgeous, gloomy music he's put out both solo and with American Music Club, has been soliciting advice from a whole host of people ahead of the release of his new album, Don't Be a Stranger, on Oct. 2. Unfortunately, as videos of th ... More >>

Pairing

Arcade Fire's Grammy Upset: Indie Kids Win the Big Award

​When Arcade Fire, led by gregarious frontman Win Butler, won Album Of The Year at the 53rd Grammys in an upset last night, it sparked a firestorm of online discussion and sent the indie community, led by tastemaker publication Pitchfork, into a virtual priapism. The Best Album Grammy usually ... More >>

Video of the Day: Shout Out Louds Fall Hard

Shout Out Louds - Fall Hard from Merge Records on Vimeo. Swedish popsters Shout Out Louds recorded their upcoming album Work with the Northwest's go-to indie pop producer, Seattle's Phil Ek. The first single off Work, "Fall Hard," is reimagined in this video clip as being part of a performance on " ... More >>