|
|
 M. Ward seems to be an extremely popular guy. The singer-songwriter — whose “M” is a stage-name shortening of Matt — has earned many devoted fans both as frontman of the indie-rock trio Rodriguez and through his own distinctive, darkly tinged neo-folk music. But perhaps a more striking measure of the guy’s popularity is in the number of other musicians that seek to work with him. Over the last several years, Ward has been a guest artist on recordings by Bright Eyes, Cat Power, Neko Case and Nora Jones. He co-produced the Rabbit Fur Jacket album for Jenny Lewis and co-wrote the title track to Beth Orton’s Comfort of Strangers album. He’s toured as a member of Jones’ Handsome Band, and has also been a member of My Morning Jacket’s extended on-stage lineup.
Much of what makes Ward such an in-demand talent can be heard on his own solo works. Beginning with 1999’s Duet for Guitars #2, M. Ward has distinguished himself as a highly aadventurous songwriter, who frequently combines sophisticated melodies and arrangements with a lo-fi, home-recording aesthetic. On follow-up albums such as Transistor Radio (2005) and Post-War (2006), Ward sharpened his skills as a musical storyteller (and was often a teller of quietly skewed and unsettling tales). Ward’s work always sounds fresh, but it’s also steeped in rock, county and folk traditions, and, as with the work of classic artists such as Bob Dylan or John Lennon, Ward’s songs often feel both personal and universal.
In 2006, Ward recorded a notable side project — collaborating with actress Zooey Deschanel to form the band She & Him, with Ward producing the pair’s debut album, Volume One. Ward’s most recent solo venture, the album Hold Time, was released in February of 2009.
Provenance: Newbury Park, California
Latest Release: Hold Time (2009)
© 2009 Nigel Music Media LLC. Used by permission.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|