Breaking Artist: Fields Sweeten Up Atmospheric Guitar Rock

Who: London-based post-punkers who merge the urgent, distorted-guitar-driven sound of their musical heroes Sonic Youth with a tender, melodic sweetness. "Our first rehearsal was October 2005, we started gigging six weeks later and we signed a deal within about four months of getting together," says singer-songwriter Nick Peill of the band's rapid rise, which involved nailing down a record deal, hitting the road with Bloc Party and releasing their debut album, Everything Last Winter, in April. "It was all a bit ridiculous."

Somebody Feed the Band: After touring the world, Fields -- Peill, singer-keyboardist Thorunn Antonia, singer-drummer Henry Spenner, bassist Matty Derham and guitarist Jamie Putnam -- have learned the importance of decent catering. "When you're going on tour, particularly in England, it's really hard to find good food," Peill laments. "We once played a show in Middlesbrough in England and all they had in the dressing room was one slice of preformed ham in the dressing room -- for five of us. That was very disappointing."

Hear It Now: Get caught up in a fast acoustic strum that builds into the mesmerizing swirl of "Song for the Fields."

Watch It: Check out Fields talking about (and then performing) their signature song with a string section.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Star Trek' Is Crazy Good
• 
  TV 10 Shows to Watch This Summer
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter