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Magnetic Fields artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music
The Magnetic Fields started as a cult phenomenon, but singer Stephin Merritt has taken the band well beyond its indie beginnings in Manhattan's Lower East Side. At Zankel Hall, the group plays songs from its acclaimed CDs, 69 Love Songs and i.
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Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields have quietly made some of the most groundbreaking pop music in recent history. LD Beghtol, who sang and played on the Fields' epic 69 Love Songs, presents a guide to the band's new record, Distortion.
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Host Bob Boilen chats with Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton and Song of the Day editor Stephen Thompson about their favorite songs for love and heartbreak. Hear some of the lesser-known tracks by artists like Betty Davis, The Gerbils, Brian Eno, and Clem Snide, plus a few classic favorites.
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The Magnetic Fields' "California Girls" hums and reverberates with defiled surf-rock — a fitting response to Brian Wilson, if a few decades late. With its unexpected mantra ("I hate California girls"), it invites listeners to huddle up in front of a fire and hate the West Coast.
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We asked NPR listeners to tell us their favorite love songs for Valentine's Day. They responded in droves, posting to the All Songs Considered blog. On this edition of All Songs Considered we share some of those songs and the stories behind them. Hear a mix of music to fall in love with, from the Magnetic Fields and Arcade Fire to the Temptations and Sam Cooke.
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On this edition of All Songs Considered: rare live recordings from Billie Holiday; remembering a classic from post-punk group The Jesus and Mary Chain that inspired new music from the Magnetic Fields; a new single from Peter Gabriel from his upcoming CD Big Blue Ball; the "Upper West Side Soweto" sound of Vampire Weekend; the wintry songs of Bon Iver; handmade music from Fire on Fire.
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It's time to gather 'round the warm glow of your computer and get cozy with some holiday fare from All Songs Considered. On this edition we travel over the snow-covered hill and dale with Swedish electronica duo The Knife. We've got a sneak preview of the upcoming Magnetic Fields album 'Distortion,' gorgeous choral harmonies from Trio Mediaeval and more.
()New music from The White Stripes; Sultry singer Leslie Feist; Brazilian musician Celso Fonseca; A sneak preview of new Sufjan Stevens; Live in concert with The Magnetic Fields; Thumb piano amped up by Konono No.1; Zimbabwean singer Oliver Mtukudzi; British digi-pop from Electrelane; South London punk rockers Bloc Party; A new EP from Secret Machines.
()Ethiopian roots music from Abyssinia Infinite, Clarinetist Aker Bilk and Van Morrison, A singing cat from The Weakerthans, San Francisco chanteuse Noe Venable, Stephin Merritt's Magnetic Fields, The Neil Young-inspired Sun Kil Moon. Featured Artist: The Youngblood Brass Band.
()Host Bob Boilen chats with Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton and Song of the Day editor Stephen Thompson about their favorite songs for love and heartbreak. Hear some of the lesser-known tracks by artists like Betty Davis, The Gerbils, Brian Eno, and Clem Snide, plus a few classic favorites.
()The Magnetic Fields' "California Girls" hums and reverberates with defiled surf-rock — a fitting response to Brian Wilson, if a few decades late. With its unexpected mantra ("I hate California girls"), it invites listeners to huddle up in front of a fire and hate the West Coast.
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Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the New York City rock group The Magnetic Fields' eighth album, Distortion. Front man and producer Stephin Merrit uses feedback between instruments to create distorted white noise — hence the album's title.
()Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields have quietly made some of the most groundbreaking pop music in recent history. LD Beghtol, who sang and played on the Fields' epic 69 Love Songs, presents a guide to the band's new record, Distortion.
()The band's new album, Distortion, was influenced heavily by the feedback-laden guitars of The Jesus and Mary Chain. Songwriter Stephin Merritt and his band set typically glum lyrics to loud, fast, and fuzzy instrumentals.
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When words alone fail to illuminate the confounding mysteries of the heart, music lends a hand. Whether it's unrequited love, a fleeting affair or love that lasts a lifetime, there's a song for it. NPR listeners share "their" songs — along with the stories of bliss, bitterness and bygone times that make the music meaningful.
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Gen-Xers love "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, while their parents prefer "At Last" as sung by Etta James. Those are two of the most popular tunes NPR listeners selected in a recent NPR.org online poll on Valentine's Day music. Hear the songs and read the stories behind them.
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