The Magnetic Fields is the band name used by songwriter- producer-instrumentalist Stephin Merritt. Merritt records his own albums and plays almost every instrument on them with help from cellist Sam Davol, banjo player/second guitarist John Woo, and percussionist/pianist Claudia Gonson.

The Magnetic Fields combines tradition instruments like banjo with electronic textures reminiscent of Kraftwerk, Roxy Music with Eno, Joy Division, and Gary Numan.

Other Merritt projects include Future Bible Heroes, Gothic Archies and the 6ths.