Realism

Introducing The Magnetic Fields

Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

If you follow me on any of the social networks in current existence, you’ll know that my favorite band of all time is The Magnetic Fields, putting Stephin Merritt as perhaps my favorite musician of all time. I came across this band while listening to a particularly sad and mopey episode of This American Life. The episode was called Break-Up and it featured contributor Starlee Kine as she dealt with a particularly bad break-up. She talked about how sad songs somehow were able to express how she felt when she could not, citing “I Don’t Want To Get Over You” as an example.

That was when I fell in love with The Magnetic Fields. Immediately I got ahold of every album I could of theirs and listened to them on repeat for days, finding little bits here and there that I could relate to with each new listen. And now I’m sharing this love with you. I’ve made what I consider to be an essential introduction to The Magnetic Fields that encapsulates what I love about the band and what make them click for me.

You can listen to the songs here, but I URGE you to go buy the albums, which I’ve linked below.

Enjoy.

Postscript:

I recently had a chance to stand about 5 feet away from Stephin Merritt while waiting in line at the concession stand at a local theater. Given my superb acting training, I was able to restrain myself and not go completely apeshit-fanboy. But manic Daffy Duck was alive in the back of my mind, bouncing around and screaming “WAAOOOO! WAAOOOO! IT’S HIM!!!!!!!!”

EDIT (6/16/2012):

There’s a Magnetic Fields music video? HELL YES! It’s one of the songs that I’ve added to the Spotify playlist above.

Ten Things In 2010: Songs

2010 was an interesting year for me. To say there were a lot of highs and lows would be kind of an understatement. There were a lot of issues I needed to work through and a lot of closure that I needed to experience before moving on with my life. I moved to a new state to pursue my career, and I started dating a wonderful person. All these ups and downs needed some kind of expression and I figured making a mixtape would be my best bet.

I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I have. They mean a lot to me.

You Must Be Out of Your Mind

The Magnetic Fields, Realism

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-01%20Must%20Be%20Out%20Of%20Your%20Mind.mp3]

Wasted Daylight

Stars, The Five Ghosts

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-02%20Wasted%20Daylight.mp3]

Straight Edge of the Blade

Jenny & Johnny, I’m Having Fun Now

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-03%20Straight%20Edge%20Of%20The%20Blade.mp3]

Crash Years

The New Pornographers, Together

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-04%20Crash%20Years.mp3]

We Don’t Have Normal Lives

Freezepop, Imaginary Friends

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-05%20We%20Don%27t%20Have%20Normal%20Lives.mp3]

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Arcade Fire, The Suburbs

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-06%20Sprawl%20II.mp3]

The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future

Los Campesinos!, Romance is Boring

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-07%20Sea%20Is%20A%20Good%20Place%20To%20Think.mp3]

Write About Love

Belle & Sebastian, Write About Love

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-08%20Write%20About%20Love.mp3]

True Love Will Find You in the End

Mates of State, Crushes (The Mixtape)

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-09%20True%20Love%20Will%20Find%20You.mp3]

I Heart California

Admiral Radley, I Heart California

[audio:http://www.jonathan-hardesty.com/audio/teninten/m-10%20I%20Heart%20California.mp3]