Merge Records announces the signing of Quivers, the Melbourne, Australia–based purveyors of jangle-damaged guitar pop whose music has drawn praise from the likes of Pitchfork, BrooklynVegan, and the legendary R.E.M.! Quivers are hitting the ground running, too: Their Merge debut, Oyster Cuts hits on August 9, 2024. To celebrate the occasion, they’re sharing a shot-on-VHS clip for lead single “Apparition.” We’re celebrating as well: Quivers have officially been added to our anniversary celebration, Merge 35, which kicks off a summer mini tour of the United States. They’ll return Stateside this fall for an extensive tour, including dates with Superchunk!

“Apparition” is Quivers’ biggest-sounding song yet, a heart-forward belter that takes on the shape of a forgotten favorite resurfacing on the radio during a late-night drive, soaring guitars meeting heavy revelations about the self with startling clarity. The DIY video, shot by the band on a camcorder and featuring costumes made by drummer Holly Thomas, follows a lonesome ghost owl as it gets ready for band practice.

Quivers on “Apparition”: We made the filmclip for “Apparition” ourselves over two days with a borrowed Handicam. In our excitement to join our dream label, Merge, we thought it best to make no big moves, just deliver a $0 filmclip and be ourselves, albeit in homemade ghost owl costumes. The song is about trying to move on even while taking your ghosts with you, a realization that even grief has humor in it. It’s also a commitment to friendship, and playing in a band, and the idea that songs will clear the smoke and hold us together sometimes.