|| Music ||
1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3

Stephin Merritt Keeps It Real

Stephin Merritt, the lead singer of the critically lauded group the Magnetic Fields, is one of the few openly gay artists in today's music world. Just don't call him "indie."


STEPHEN MERRITT MAIN X390 (COURTESY) | ADVOCATE.COM

The Magnetic Fields, led by gay singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt, have been making thoughtful, romantic music for almost two decades. Their latest release, Realism, is a gentle and wistful listen that deviates greatly from their sonically challenging previous album, Distortion. Merritt spoke to The Advocate about his latest project, and at times came across as terse and uncomfortable — two adjectives typically associated with gifted musicians.

The Advocate: How would you describe the new album?
Stephin Merritt: “Orc-folk,” as in orchestral folk. But I was never one for being sincere about the genre. I did it in a sense of being as wide as possible within being vaguely around examining whatever they call folk. Which is not an endorsement of the marketing category of folk or any particular aesthetic within it.

I read there’s influence from Jesus and Mary Chain and Judy Collins — anyone else?
Well, Jesus and Mary Chain was for the last record, Distortion. Jesus and Mary Chain’s first album, Psychocandy, sounds like playing a girl group album slowed down during vacuuming. Which is pretty much essentially what Distortion sounds like, so Realism is a counterpoint to that — no feedback, no electric instruments, instruments recorded in what most people would consider a realistic approach.

What was the recording process like?
[Silence]

Was it in a studio?
It was mostly at my home studio, which has several different rooms. I’ve actually moved since then, but I was in an 800-square-foot cottage which was all recording studio. So there were no parts we did not use, including going outside for recording.

Now, you recently left New York for Los Angeles — is that correct?
Well, a few years ago I moved my studio to Los Angeles.

Where do you live full-time?
Los Angeles and New York.

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Facebook. 1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3
Reader Comments
  • Name: Andre
    Date posted: 2/6/2010 7:53:48 AM
    Hometown: Germany

    Comment:

    I've been reading about this new release recently and was curious because of the Judy Collins reference. This article made me check out the album on iTunes and I bought it immediately after listening to the clips. It doesn't have the the greatest Hi Fi sound, but the songs are all very beautiful. He writes gorgeous melodies and his lyrics are unique. Before reading the Advocate article I didn't know he was gay and wouldn't have expected him to be - probably because of all the stereotyping that goes on in the field of "gays and music". So it's great to see a gay musician who doesn't sell out to the gay club crowd with the usual cheap disco trash music like so many "artists", gay and straight (like Cyndi Lauper), are doing these days. I like Stephin Merritt - he's a fine artist and a cool guy.

  • Name: Anthony
    Date posted: 2/5/2010 2:10:56 AM
    Hometown: Perk

    Comment:

    What was the recording process like? [Silence] LOL! Classic Merritt. I love this guy. He is an asshole guys, a wonder asshole, and you really shouldn't take it too seriously. He has a unique personality and he writes beautiful music. Let him be eccentric.

  • Name: Tim
    Date posted: 2/5/2010 12:30:08 AM
    Hometown: Riverside

    Comment:

    To be fair, the questions that Stephin was asked aren't exactly stimulating. He was probably bored.

  • Name: James
    Date posted: 2/5/2010 12:12:15 AM
    Hometown: Miami

    Comment:

    I can't tell... does he actually enjoy being a musician? I'd never guess from this interview.

  • Name: Burgess
    Date posted: 2/4/2010 10:17:31 PM
    Hometown: W. Hollywood

    Comment:

    Wow, thanks for exposing what an ass hole this arrogant prick is. I'm not ever gonna buy a thing he or his band has done.



Don't Miss
  • Best of Broadway Smash: Why You Will Love It

    Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, two of the producers of NBC’s new critically acclaimed musical series, explain why the backstage drama of creating a musical about Marilyn Monroe has mass appeal and why big stars like Anjelica Huston, Uma Thurman, Bernadette Peters, and Nick Jonas were eager to appear in it.

  • Best of Broadway How Broadway Does a Flea Market

    Find out why actress Kathleen Chalfant calls the annual Flea Market and Grand Auction in Times Square "the most glamorous flea market you've ever seen." It raised half a million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS.

  • Travel Slideshow Flag Gayest Cities in America, 2012

    It's no secret that megalopolises New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles have robust LGBT life — and we've even heard tell of little queer hoods like the Castro and P-Town. This isn't that list.

 
 
Advocate Subscribe Promo Banner 300x50
 
Follow Us Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterSubscribe to our RSS feedsDownload our app
Facebook Activity
 
1056 COVER X135 | ADVOCATE.COM
Today's Headlines