The Magnetic Fields Show Off "Strange Powers" In New Doc Trailer

Magnetic Fields' new documentary Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields took filmmakers Kerthy Fix and Gail O'Hara a decade to make. A trailer for the flick, which has its official premiere this March at SXSW, has been released.

Playlist reports that the filmmakers, who had unusual access to the mercurial, publicity-shy singer and songwriter Stephin Merritt (O'Hara was the band's official photographer), also interviewed bandmate Claudia Gonson, Lemony Snicket author Daniel Handler, Neil Gaiman, Sarah Silverman, Peter Gabriel (who calls Merritt "one of America's great songwriters") and many others.

In addition to SXSW, there have been selected screenings of the film, including an upcoming showing on February 28 at the San Francisco Film Festival and Noise Pop Film Festival. There are more details about the film, screening announcements, and information on how to pre-order the DVD when it's eventually released (and thereby "donating" to facilitate more screenings) on the filmmakers' own website.

As for more Magnetic madness, Gabriel, who last week released his cover of Merritt's "Book of Love" backed with Magnetic Fields' take on Gabriel's "Not One Of Us" as a double A-side single to promote Gabriel's upcoming orchestral project Scratch My Back, out on February 15, talks to Merritt this month on PeterGabriel.com.

Plus, fans of 69 Love Songs, released back in 1999, will be happy to learn that there will be a limited-edition, 10-inch vinyl box set of the remastered collection released on April 20, accompanied by an MP3 coupon. Pre-orders have begun in Merge Records' store and for those who order it before Valentine's Day as a gift will have an e-Valentine sent to the lucky, beloved recipient. The box set of six vinyl albums will include all 69 songs accompanied by a 10-inch version of the original CD booklet with liner notes written by Handler.

And Merritt and Magnetic Fields are on a rare tour - they don't tour often given Merritt's abhorrence of the task - to promote their new album, Realism. The band just added a fourth show at New York's Town Hall on March 12. For a full, updated schedule of dates and how to buy tickets, visit the Magnetic Fields' own tour calendar.