With his unique gift for memorable melodies, lovelorn lyrics and wry musical stylings that blend classic Tin Pan Alley with postmodern grooves, brilliantly idiosyncratic singer/songwriter Stephin Merritt has distinguished himself as one of contemporary pops most beloved and influential artists. This remarkably gifted and prolific tunesmith records and performs as a solo artist and also leads numerous alternative bands including Future Bible Heroes, the Gothic Archies, the 6ths and, most famously, the Magnetic Fields, whose 1999 three-disc opus 69 Love Songs is widely considered a masterpiece of traditional songcraft and irresistible synthpop.
Shot over ten years, this beautifully photographed film follows some of his personal relationships (most notably with Claudia Gonson, his childhood friend, bandmate and manager) and provides insight into an artist who has produced one of the most engaging and confounding bodies of work in the American songbook.
With his unique gift for memorable melodies, lovelorn lyrics and wry musical stylings that blend classic Tin Pan Alley with postmodern grooves, brilliantly idiosyncratic singer/songwriter Stephin Merritt has distinguished himself as one of contemp...