Key Change: Emma Straub on ‘69 Love Songs’ by The Magnetic Fields

Key takeaways

Emma Straub’s love for the Magnetic Fields and '69 Love Songs' highlights the deep connection between music and personal identity.
Her experience working closely with Stephen Merritt and the band illustrates how fandom can evolve into meaningful personal and professional relationships.
The humor and emotional depth in Merritt’s songwriting serve as a model for Emma’s own writing style, which balances wit with heartfelt storytelling.
Emma’s story demonstrates the impact of music fandom in shaping life choices, careers, and creative expression, emphasizing the importance of following one’s passions.

Summary

Emma Straub's Introduction to the Magnetic Fields and '69 Love Songs'

Emma Straub recalls being introduced to the Magnetic Fields in 1999 while she was a sophomore at Oberlin College. She describes the cultural hype around the band, the initial skepticism, and her eventual deep appreciation upon discovering the band through their album '69 Love Songs'. Emma's love for their witty lyrics, musical diversity, and Stephen Merritt's songwriting talent is highlighted. This section sets the stage for her personal connection to the band and its significance in her life.

A Personal Connection and Behind-the-Scenes of Emma's Relationship with the Band

Emma shares her experiences of seeing the Magnetic Fields live in Greenwich Village, her role in their tours, and her work in organizing lyrics and memorabilia for Stephen Merritt. She discusses how her closeness to the band and Merritt's lyrics influenced her own writing and her life, including her decision to co-own the Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic with her husband. Emma's narrative reveals how the band’s music became intertwined with her personal and professional life.

Music, Humor, and Literary Influences

Emma emphasizes Stephen Merritt's unique combination of heartfelt songwriting and humor, which resonated with her and influenced her own writing style. She reflects on the album '69 Love Songs' as a complete body of work that she continues to listen to and treasure, and how the humor in Merritt's music mirrors her own appreciation for wit and emotion in her creative endeavors.

Memories and Life Lessons from the Band’s Tours and Public Appearances

Emma reminisces about her time selling merchandise on tour with the Magnetic Fields, the challenges faced during the tours, and her love for watching the band's evolving performances. She also recounts personal moments, including her wedding where Merritt performed, highlighting the deep personal and shared community connections fostered through their music.

The Influence of Music Fandom and Identity on Emma’s Work and Life

Emma discusses how her experiences with the Magnetic Fields influenced her literary work, notably using Merritt’s lyrics as epigraphs for her novels. She talks about how being part of the band’s world has made her and her husband more confident in their capacity to run their bookstore and pursue creative projects, illustrating the power of music fandom in shaping personal identities and careers.

Show notes

My guest today is the bestselling author Emma Straub. Her books include 'This Time Tomorrow,' 'Modern Lovers,' 'The Vacationers,' and more. And with her husband, Michael Fusco, she co-owns the beautiful Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic.

I'm so thrilled to have her on because, not only is she a wonderful writer, but Key Change is a series about music fandom and identity. And Emma's newest novel 'American Fantasy' is also about music fandom and identity. That story is set on a cruise ship centered around a nineties boy band and their fans.

But today, Emma's going to tell me her story about her own relationship with the music of The Magnetic Fields. Stephin Merritt from the Magnetic Fields was just named one of the greatest living American songwriters by the New York Times, and Emma’s introduction to their music was their 1999 triple album, '69 Love Songs.'

For more info, visit songexploder.net/emma-straub.