TONIGHT I MET THE MAGNETIC FIELDS!

Earlier this week I saw the Magnetic Fields in Northampton. It was at the Iron Horse...a super small venue and incredibly intimate show. It definitely makes my top 5 shows ever. So as he usually does Dave did a recording of the show. However this time someone behind us noticed him and inquired about the recording, wanting a copy of it. They then exchanged emails. The next day Dave got back to her and found out that she knew Sam Devol's father in law and that she could get us backstage. I was a bit hesitant to believe this at first, but once we received an email from Sam himself we knew we were in. How awesome! Amazing!!! My favorite band and me getting the opportunity to hang out with them backstage. WOW!?

We finally approach the Merrit room and he's sitting alone on a couch. Sam calls him over to meet us initially and then Stephin invites us in. Before the entering we shake Stephin's hand and tell him that we really enjoyed the show. I then tell him we were also at the first show.. "First show?" "Yeah the one on Monday?" "Monday... oh yes Northampton. Both shows? ..... That's.....odd. " Oh it was amazing. Continuing the mood it was kind of an awkward invite in...he never said come in or anything of the sort. There was a bit of a gesturing move and we entered.
He sat back down and we stood around him as he signed our copies of 69 Love Songs (we gave him Disc 1 with Stephin on the cover.) Some more brilliantly awkward small talk was made. Dave gives him the album first, so when I give it to him, I want to say something and not just simply hand it over. I mumble something along the lines of "the same thing.." meaning I'm also opting for the 69 love songs vol. 1 booklet to be signed. He says "The exact same thing?" I forget what I did here... I think I laughed and said I just meant that I also have the booklet. It probably was ridiculous. The situation seemed unreal so I'm actually surprised I can remember so much as it is. Oh yeah, before Dave gives him the album he had the box set and a few photos from Monday's show printed out from CVS in an envelope. Merrit sees the envelope and inquires about it. "Oh, what's this?" Dave explains that they're pictures from the first show. Stephin thanks us and says he'll share them with the band after the tour so they don't know what they look playing until the tour is over. Dave tells him he really likes the new album. Stephin is thankful. Dave says it's a fresh sound. Stephin looks concerned. "Fresh sound?" "Well fresh for the Magnetic Fields." "Ah, yes. For the Magnetic Fields." Claudia then enters. Stephin introduces us and asks if she wouldn't mind signing her face. She was very nice, though a bit hurried saying she was in the middle of about 14 different conversations. She asked about us and we said we sorta knew Sam. We began to explain, yet it's hard to summarize a story like that. She understand it was long and strange and accepted. She then proceeded to have a conversation with Stephin (but telling us before hand that she needed to have a word with him.) They began to speak and we stayed for maybe 20 seconds or so before deciding we should head out. It was a bit odd though as before Claudia entered we asked Stephin if we could get a picture with him. He paused for two seconds and then Claudia approached. The picture was of course still in our minds after his exchange with Claudia, but it just seemed too pushy to say "so yeah...about that picture." No big loss... just meeting the band was an experience by itself. Plus having my favorite album of all-time signed by every member of the band? A treasure. Before leaving we approached Sam and thanked him again for this opportunity. Seriously, what a nice guy. What a night.