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.

[1][2][3] In 2013 she announced that she would no longer be touring with the band due to her worsening hyperacusis.

[5] In 1989, Ballance alongside her bandmate Mac McCaughan, founded Merge Records for releases from Superchunk and similar artists.

[6] Ballance has also contributed to the book Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records (2009) with Mac McCaughan and John Cook.

[8] Ballance lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband and daughter.