Laura Ballance
{{BLP sources|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Laura Ballance
| background = solo_singer
| image = File:Laura Ballance.jpg
| birth_name = Laura Jane Ballance
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|02|22}}
| origin = North Carolina
| genre = alternative rock
| years_active = 1989–present
(with superchunk)
| label = Merge Records (co-founder)
Matador Records
| associated_acts = Superchunk
}}Laura Jane Ballance (born February 22, 1968) is the bassist in the rock band Superchunk (also contributing occasional backing vocals) and co-founder of Merge Records along with Mac McCaughan.{{cite web|last=Downes |first=Catherine |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2001-11-01/music/tiny-bombs/ |title=Tiny Bombs - Page 1 - Music - Dallas |publisher=Dallas Observer |date=2001-11-01 |accessdate=2012-02-19}}[http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/electronic-publications/stay-free/9/laura.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205043925/http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/electronic-publications/stay-free/9/laura.htm|date=February 5, 2010}}{{cite book|last=Cook|first=John|title=Our noise: the story of Merge Records, the indie label that got big and stayed small|year=2009|publisher=Algonquin Books|isbn=978-1-56512-624-4}} In 2013 she announced that she would no longer be touring with the band due to her worsening hyperacusis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1387342/turntable-interview-superchunks-laura-ballance/franchises/turntable-interview/|title=Turntable Interview: Superchunk's Laura Ballance|date=2013-06-20|website=Stereogum|access-date=2020-02-05}}
File:Superchunk live.jpg - 2006]]
Musical history
Despite her hyperacusis and announcement that she will no longer be touring with the band, she has remained in Superchunk since 1989. Their latest album is Wild Loneliness, released in February 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/superchunk-mn0000034172/biography|title=Superchunk {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2020-02-05}}
= Merge Records =
In 1989, Ballance alongside her bandmate Mac McCaughan, founded Merge Records for releases from Superchunk and similar artists.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/superchunk-mn0000034172/biography|title=Superchunk {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2020-02-05}} Ballance has also contributed to the book Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records (2009) with Mac McCaughan and John Cook.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/07/merge-records-25-anniversary-timeline-superchunk/140723-13-merge-25/|title=2009: 'Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records' Hits Shelves SPIN|access-date=2020-02-05}}
Personal life
Ballance has described herself as an introvert as a child, who found punk music as a teenager through a music video by Adam and the Ants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wunc.org/post/formidable-laura-ballance-superchunk-bassist-and-merge-co-founder-punk-and-paranormal|title=The Formidable Laura Ballance: Superchunk Bassist And Merge Co-founder On Punk And The Paranormal|last=Stasio|first=Laura Pellicer, Frank|website=www.wunc.org|language=en|access-date=2020-02-05}} Ballance lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband and daughter.
References
{{reflist}}{{Superchunk}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballance, Laura}}
Category:Merge Records artists
Category:American rock bass guitarists
Category:Musicians from Raleigh, North Carolina
Category:American women bass guitarists
Category:Guitarists from North Carolina
Category:20th-century American bass guitarists
Category:20th-century women musicians
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