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Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

Posted by Vish Khanna on Feb 08, 2010

Good morning everyone. How's it going? What'd you get up to over the weekend? I attended Hillside Inside in Guelph and you'll be getting a full report about that tomorrow. And last night Norris and I also took part in a large-scale music benefit for the people of Haiti. Craig sang lead on a song and I "sang" some back-ups. Apparently I appeared less than enthused on stage but I was just kinda nervous because I didn't know the songs too well. Still I think we did a good thing...

I'm thrilled to tell you that Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields is joining me for a chat on today's show. For those of you who read Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records for the What'cha Readin' Book Club, you might recall reading about Stephin and the band. Well, he's a musical hero of mine and I'm going to see the Magnetic Fields play in Toronto tonight on their tour supporting their new album Realism. We'll even hear two songs from that record on the show, sandwiching the interview. Exciting isn't it?

HEAR STEPHIN MERRITT DISCUSSING REALISM BY THE MAGNETIC FIELDS: sm

Are you a fan of Stephin Merritt and his work in the Magnetic Fields and beyond? What local musical events over the next while are you most excited about?

UPDATE: Whale Music Winners (thus far):

#10. Martin Cathrae (Charlottetown, PEI)

#11. Roberta Melvin (Winnipeg, MB)

#12. Mike Whaley (Windsor, ON)

#13. Adam Robinson (Toronto, ON)

#14. D. Anderson (London, ON)

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  1. MikeV
    01

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    Good Morning Vish!

    Either I slept through a day or you switched things around on us? Anyways, I do recall reading about Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields. However, I have to admit I haven't really listened to them.

    Unfortunately, I didn't end up making any shows this weekend because work got in the way, but I think there are some shows coming up at the end of the month that should be nice to go to. So more about those in the coming weeks. 

  2. Vish Khanna
    02

    @MikeV

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    Ah yes, I forgot to mention that I'm skipping Q & Hopefully A this week. Instead, there are two National Hum-themed shows in a row. Will you be able to handle this?

  3. MikeV
    03

    @Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    Bring it on! 

    But, do I literally have to hum the whole time? That could drive someone crazy. 

  4. Vish Khanna
    04

    @MikeV

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    No, not at all. Who told you you had to do that? I will fire them.

  5. suckamc
    05

    hummmmmmmmmmmm

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by suckamc

    It's just under 2 weeks away, but the EP release for The Death Avengers is dwarfing everything else musical going on over the next while.  Expect me to hum about this often.

    hmmmmmmmmmmmummmunmmmmm

    This weekend actually is really busy.  Soupy Saturday returns to Back Alley Music, followed very closely by Naked Brunch at Alibi with Nudie and the Turks, last show before they take a bit of a break to do some travelling, and record their next album!  Then local favorites The Love Junkies rock Baba's Lounge.  Sunday is Jill Barber with the PEI Symphony Orchestra.  Things haven't been this busy musically in some time!  I'm sure there are things going on this week as well, I'll have to look into it.

  6. tb3
    06

    I like Merritt

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by tb3

    A friend made me a mixtape CD in 2003-ish that had the song Absolutely Cuckoo on it and I remember being immediately struck by the song. In fact it's the only song I remember from that mixtape.

    When I asked about who it was, she told me all about 69 Love Songs and I was pretty intrigued. Especially when I found out they were on Merge Records – home to one of my favourite bands of the nineties: Superchunk.

    But, admittedly other than checking out a bit more on my brother's copy of that album (69 Love Songs), I had kind of forgotten about them/him until coming across Merritt in the book club with Our Noise. And I have to say that book is what really endeared me to him: brutally frank, cynical, and a curmudgeon.

  7. MikeV
    07

    @Vish (04)

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    It was Martin. See all the humming he is doing? 

  8. suckamc
    08

    ?

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by suckamc

    I was pretty sure there was a memo?  Didn't anyone else get it?

    hmmmmummmuuuummmmmmmmmnmmmnnnn

  9. MikeV
    09

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    http://getvish.com/

     

    Anyone else think Vish should adopt the slogan "It's not a word, it's a way of life"?!!

  10. daa1982
    10

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    I've heard of Stephin Merritt...but who is this Vish fellow?

  11. Vish Khanna
    11

    @MikeV

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    What the hell?!

  12. daa1982
    12

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    Local Events I'm excited about is on friday going to a concert featuring Woodpigeon, Katie Stelmanis and Olenka and the Autumn Lovers.

    Then I hear there's a musical free-style jamobrie under the Guy Lombardo bridge with some hobos.  Will definately check this out too.

  13. Vish Khanna
    13

    @daa1982

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    Half of that sounds amazing. The other sounds like one of your "stories."

  14. Vish Khanna
    14

    @tb3

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    I'm glad the book club rekindled your interest in Stephin there John. I think you'd like his records if you gave them a listen.

  15. MikeV
    15

    @daa1982

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    That does sound amazing! I would kill to go to show like that. Both of them! 

  16. MikeV
    16

    @Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    Don't look at me I just googled Vish.com

     

    I know you are going to use it as your motto now. 

  17. daa1982
    17

    @Mike V

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    When I google Vish I delightfully see the saying "Vishful Thinking"  another good motto?

  18. Vish Khanna
    18

    @everyone

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    Stop googling me. It hurts.

  19. dawn.h
    19

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by dawn.h

    Maybe that's a good motto: Stop googling me - it hurts

  20. dawn.h
    20

    @Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by dawn.h

    When is this article out?

    I'm soo excited for this Zeus album and tour.

  21. Vish Khanna
    21

    Whale!

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    In other news, I just received 10 copies of Whale Music to give away on my show this Friday...

  22. daa1982
    22

    Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    What feats of strength do we have to perform to obtain these?

  23. dawn.h
    23

    speaking of Zeus..

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by dawn.h

    which we weren't really..

    It doesn't happen too often but.. I'm in love. With an album. And it's Pink Strat by BAHAMAS (a Zeus person's solo album). I've written a few sonnets and odes to it but I'll save you the pain of listening/reading. Unless I write it down one day. It's a great album that gets a little play here (Lonely Loves and Hockey Teeth) but every song is good.

  24. suckamc
    24

    @Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by suckamc

    Ack, I planned to get the book this weekend, but now I'm thinking I might wait if you got 10 copies?  But then I'll feel bad come Friday if I haven't started reading it...  I guess I shouldn't count on winning it, and try the libraries first...

  25. Vish Khanna
    25

    @daa1982

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    Well, normally I'd do some kind of e-mail contest on Friday, which I still might.

    Tell you what, maybe I'll start today: the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th people to e-mail me at vish_khanna@cbcradio3.com each win a copy of Whale Music. BUT you must actually read it and participate in the book club, okay?

  26. Vish Khanna
    26

    @dawn.h

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    I'm a big fan of Bahamas as well and Afie'll be featured on this show tomorrow.

    Just to clarify, Afie's not in Zeus; he was in Paso Mino, which eventually became Zeus...

  27. mikegibbons
    27

    RE: Whale Music

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by mikegibbons

    I picked up a copy at the faithful library.  It's a great read, very well written and easy to get through.

  28. dawn.h
    28

    @Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by dawn.h

    Really?! He's not in Zeus? Oops. I knew Paso Mino but thought I saw an article where he was explaining the new Zeus album and it's vinyl astestic.

  29. Vish Khanna
    29

    @dawn.h

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    The article's out near the end of Feb/beginning of March.

    Yeah, Afie plays on the new Zeus album. Maybe the Collett too. I can't recall at the moment...

  30. suckamc
    30

    er

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by suckamc

    is Stephin out jogging while on the phone?

  31. Vish Khanna
    31

    Book people.

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    I forgot to say, please include your mailing address in your e-mail!

  32. suckamc
    32

    huh

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by suckamc

    I've never heard of The Magnetic Fields.  I waited until I heard the songs to be sure.  I like it!  And I like the name.

  33. MikeV
    33

    The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    It's lovely! I will have to check out more of their stuff. 

  34. dawn.h
    34

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by dawn.h

    Happy Monday, friends on the blog. Work time for me. *crosses her fingers on a book win*

  35. Vish Khanna
    35

    Re: The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    Excellent, I'm glad you enjoyed them today. Stephin's a favourite artist of mine y'know and I'm happy to spread the word about him.

    See? I help people...

  36. suckamc
    36

    @dawn.h

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by suckamc

    Have a good day at work!

  37. daa1982
    37

    @ Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    I got your email saying #1.  Does that mean I'm the #1 winner...or emailer #1 hence not a winner at all?

  38. MikeV
    38

    @daa1982

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by MikeV

    I got one saying I was #5. Maybe that is our new designations? Vish is creating a new Borg like society. 

  39. Vish Khanna
    39

    @daa1982

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    I'm looking for #10 through #14 and you were #1.

  40. daa1982
    40

    @ #5

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    It's all part of the Colonels master plan. 

    #1 Out.

     

  41. daa1982
    41

    @Martin

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    Congrats - #10 is a good number to have in Vishs society.

  42. Vish Khanna
    42

    @daa1982

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    You gotta problem with Vish Nation?

  43. daa1982
    43

    Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    No, I am proud to be #1.  The Colonel is firm but fair.

  44. Vish Khanna
    44

    @daa1982

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    Y'know, I still have two books to give away...

  45. daa1982
    45

    Vish

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    Understood....

  46. tb3
    46

    Oh dammit

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by tb3

    I missed out on the Whale Music contest!

    I got to work late and was greeted with a couple of rush jobs that needed to be taken care of right away and couldn't play along. So I miss free books :(

    But I will say, great interview Vish - he seems like a tough guy to get to talk about his music with cause he doesn't want to. But, I think you handled it very well.

    And like I said, the more I hear him, the more this crusty-ness rubs off on me, and the more interesting he becomes.

  47. Vish Khanna
    47

    @tb3

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by Vish Khanna

    Hey, don't fret too much; I'll be giving away five more copies on Friday. You could win!

    Thanks for the kind words. I hope you'll check out Stephin's music as well.

    I should post that interview here...

  48. daa1982
    48

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by daa1982

    What!?  I won!?

    I never thought it was possible.

    I overcame alot of obstacles to get here, and I want everyone to know that you too can win if you work hard.  I'd like to thank Jesus, my mother, and my tour manager Tony.

     

  49. JoEngLund
    49

    re: Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields

    Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by JoEngLund

    sooooo eacited abou the show tonight! last time they cam they played trinity church, and although it was unbearably hot, it was heavenly. hopefully the queen liz will have the heat on tonight!

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