Merge Records Wears a Tutu

Late yesterday afternoon, Paste HQ received an email with exciting news: Merge Records’ awesome 20th anniversary celebration in the Chapel Hill, N.C. area will kick off July 18 with Merge In Motion, a recital where local dancers will perform to music from the Merge roster. While we might ordinarily joke that nothing says “ballet, rhythm tap, and modern dance” quite like indie rock, we support artistic collisions like this one. In fact, we think Merge In Motion may be the coolest, unlikeliest fusion of pop music and dance since this. We know The Rosebuds will provide live accompaniment, but just what else will the kids dance to? Here, five suggestions:

1. Arcade Fire, “Black Mirror”—The stormy intro sets a mood, then rumbling drums and sawing strings kick in. If the dancers want to go goth, here’s their chance.

2. Future Bible Heroes, “I’m Lonely and I Love It”—Maybe the purest dance-music song we’ve ever heard from a Merge band. It even features Stephin Merritt crooning, “I’m dancing on air.”

3. Spoon, “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”—Jazz hands!

4. Lambchop, “Paperback Bible”—Long and luxurious, perhaps the choice for ballet?

5. Superchunk, “Slack Motherfucker”—In case, for the encore, everyone decides to mosh.