The Magnetic Fields

For albums before and since 69 Love Songs, The Magnetic Fields have operated as four-piece band comprising Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson, Sam Davol and John Woo. For 69 Love Songs Stephin Merritt recorded himself playing a huge variety of instruments helped by:

• Claudia Gonson — piano, drums, percussion;
• John Woo — banjo, lead guitar, mandolin;
• Sam Davol — cello, flute.

For 69 Love Songs only, The Magnetic Fields were supplemented by a number of guest singers and players:

• Daniel Handler — accordion, plus Casio and Binatone keyboards — Daniel Handler has two novels published under his own name, and several books 'on behalf of' [Lemony Snicket] (here is [an account of how he got involved in 69 Love Songs]);
• LD Beghtol — vocals on All My Little Words, My Sentimental Melody, Roses, The Way You Say Good-Night, For We Are The King of the Boudoir, Bitter Tears — LD Beghtol also writes and performs with [Flare] and [Moth Wranglers], and, with Stephin Merritt and Dudley Klute, is one of The Three Terrors;
• Dudley Klute — vocals on The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side, How Fucking Romantic, Very Funny, Long-Forgotten Fairytale, It's a Crime, Blue You — Dudley Klute is also one of The Three Terrors;
• Shirley Simms — vocals on Come Back From San Francisco, Boa Constrictor, No One Will Ever Love You, Kiss Me Like You Mean It, I'm Sorry I Love You, Strange Eyes — Shirley Simms has written and published comic books/graphic novels, and according to [this interview with LD Beghtol in Chickfactor] will soon be working on a solo album;
• Chris Ewen — backing tracks for It's a Crime and Promises of Eternity — Chris Ewen is also a member, with Stephin Merritt and Claudia Gonson, of [Future Bible Heroes].

[Full discography] for The Magnetic Fields from the official site.

Stephin Merritt also writes and releases music under [his own name], as [Future Bible Heroes], as [The Gothic Archies] and as [The 6ths].