Laser Background covers "Strange Eyes" for Magnetic Fields tribute to benefit No More Dysphoria - WXPN | Vinyl At Heart
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Laser Background | photo by Koof Ibi Umoren

A new benefit compilation, You Can Sing Me Anything: A Tribute to 69 Love Songs, will pay tribute to the classic Magnetic Fields album in honor of its 20th anniversary while also raising money for a good cause. The full, 69-track compilation features a different artist interpreting each song on the album, and proceeds from its sale will benefit No More Dysphoria, a non-profit that helps trans and nonbinary individuals with medical costs. The roster of artists lined up for the comp include Palehound, Sidney Gish, illuminati hotties, and lots more; we previously heard Worriers’ cover of “Grand Canyon.”

Now, there’s another single out before the entire compilation becomes available: Laser Background‘s cover of “Strange Eyes.” The Philly psych pop outfit put their own twist on the song, swapping out the original’s upbeat electronic sound for a more hushed, staticky sound that gives it a haunting feel.

Laser Background’s Andy Molholt described his approach to the cover:

“I chose ‘Strange Eyes’ for the You Can Sing Me Anything compilation because it immediately jumped out to me as an outlier on 69 Love Songs. No other track on the record, and honestly no other Magnetic Fields song that I can even find in their catalogue really sounds like it at all. The undulating textures, odd time signature, and weaving off-kilter melodies all drew me to it instantly, and its qualities actually kinda remind me of a Laser Background song in a funny way. I enjoy covers most when the covering artist takes a track and really makes it their own, and as such decided to really go for a different vibe when approaching this already very weird little song. Recording it was fun, and I’m happy to be a part of a compilation going to benefit such a worthy cause!”

Listen below. Molholt plays a solo Laser Background set upstairs at World Cafe Live on December 29th; more information can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar.


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