M. Ward
Encyclopedia
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name
M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter
and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon
music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him
and Monsters of Folk
.
on his Ow Om record label. Ward's 2001 album, End of Amnesia
, was put out by Future Farmer Records
. A collection of live recordings, Live Music & The Voice of Strangers
, was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows in 2001. His subsequent albums have been released on Merge Records
.
He has guested on recordings by Cat Power
, Neko Case
, Beth Orton
(with whom he co-wrote the title track to her album Comfort of Strangers
), The Court & Spark
, Bright Eyes (with whom he toured on the 2004 Vote for Change
tour with R.E.M.
and Bruce Springsteen
), Jenny Lewis
(whose debut solo album Rabbit Fur Coat
he co-produced), and My Morning Jacket
.
In 2004, Ward played guitar for Bright Eyes on a taping of The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. During the performance, Bright Eyes' singer Conor Oberst
yelled out "M. Ward for President
!" This prompted Newsweek
to run an article on Ward and his next album Transistor Radio. Also in 2004, Ward had his song Transfiguration #1 featured in Chris Malloy's surf documentary "A Brokedown Melody."
In 2005, Ward was – along with Burtch, Lytle
and Fairchild
from Grandaddy
, Scout Niblett
, Marie Frank or Jeremy Gara
– involved in Howe Gelb
's project called Arizona Amp and Alternator, which had officially no band members but a lot of involved musicians (M. Ward voice can be recognized on track Aaaa(3)).
In 2006, he contributed a song to, and helped produce the John Fahey
tribute album I Am the Resurrection. He also appears on Norah Jones
' album Not Too Late
, performing backing vocals and guitar on "Sinkin' Soon
", and toured as the opener and a member of her "Handsome Band" for the album in the spring of 2007. Also his cover of David Bowie
's song "Let's Dance
" is featured on the soundtrack of the 2007 New Zealand
film Eagle vs Shark
. Ward was previously a member of the band Rodriguez
with Kyle Field
of Little Wings. Their album Swing Like a Metronome was released in 2000 and produced by Jason Lytle of Grandaddy
.
In 2006, he released Post-War
, which was described by Vanity Fair
in its August 2006 issue as thematic on the question "How will America heal once this craziness in Iraq is over?" Ward said in that article that he looked to the post-war music of the late 1940s and 1950s. "I had the naive, simplistic idea that producers and writers and artists of the time helped in a minuscule way to change the mind-set of America." The album was released on Merge Records and features cameo performances by Howe Gelb
, Jim James
and Neko Case
.
From the music blog
It's Hard to Find a Friend: "According to the Omaha City Weekly:
...Also with recording plans for the winter is Conor Oberst. Beginning in the new year, Oberst is slated to begin recording two new albums — one a solo record in Mexico
(the album is self titled "Conor Oberst") with Jake Bellows playing a role and another with a new band being formed with M. Ward". http://www.hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com/
In 2006, Ward recorded a duet with actress Zooey Deschanel
, a collaboration which resulted in the formation of the band She & Him
. The duo's album Volume One — which Ward produced — was released on Merge Records
on March 18, 2008. Ward and Deschanel performed (along with Yo La Tengo
) on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
on April 22, 2008. Returning from She & Him
duties, M. Ward has released his sixth solo studio album, Hold Time
, on February 17, 2009. Ward has said that he doesn't enjoy playing shows very much: "In general I like it. I don't like being away from home that much. So it's O.K. It's a part of the job." He has also taken steps recently to restrict fans' use of cameras—even point-and-shoots—during his live shows.
Both Ward and Deschanel also agreed to be judges for the 9th annual Independent Music Awards
. In doing so, She & Him are using their growing influence to assist upcoming independent musicians' careers.
Ward's music has influenced subsequent singer-songwriters such as Jesse Marchant of JBM
.
Monsters of Folk
, the project Ward and Oberst began, finally released their self-titled debut album
in September 2009. The band also includes Jim James
of My Morning Jacket
(credited as Yim Yames) and Mike Mogis
from Bright Eyes.
A Very She & Him Christmas was announced on Pitchfork.com in September 2011. The twelve track Christmas album was released October 25, 2011 under Merge Records.
" is probably his favorite song. His favorite piece of musical equipment is the TASCAM
4-Track Recorder, which he uses to start every song he writes. Ward is sponsored by Gibson Guitars, his main guitar being the Johnny A. model.
Regarding the types of music he grew up listening to, Ward said: "My dad turned me on to Johnny Cash
. He was always into gospel
and country
. My mom listened to classical music
."
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him
She & Him
She & Him is an American indie pop duo consisting of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward . The band's first album, Volume One, was released on Merge Records in March 2008...
and Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk is an American supergroup, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes, and M. Ward, renowned solo artist. The band was formed in 2004 when the members were on tour with their respective bands and solo projects. After playing...
.
Career
Ward's solo debut, Duet for Guitars #2, was released by Howe GelbGiant Sand
Giant Sand is an American rock band, based in Tucson, Arizona, USA. The name is shortened from the original Giant Sandworms, a reference to the creatures in the Dune books. Overseen by singer-songwriter Howe Gelb, its membership has shifted over the years—at times with each album...
on his Ow Om record label. Ward's 2001 album, End of Amnesia
End of Amnesia
-Track listing:# "End of Amnesia" – 2:11# "Color of Water" – 3:23# "Half Moon" – 2:49# "So Much Water" – 4:02# "Bad Dreams" – 4:16# "Archangel Tale" – 3:48# "Silverline" – 2:20# "Flaming Heart" – 3:54# "Carolina" – 4:19...
, was put out by Future Farmer Records
Future Farmer Records
Future Farmer Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco, California.Inspired by skateboarding culture Future Farmer was founded in 1996 by San Joaquin Valley natives Jeff Klindt and Dennis Mitchell.Former label member M...
. A collection of live recordings, Live Music & The Voice of Strangers
Live Music & The Voice of Strangers
Live Music & The Voice of Strangers is a collection of live recordings by M. Ward. It was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows in 2001. The song "Brazillience" would later appear on the album Transistor Radio as "Regeneration No.1."...
, was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows in 2001. His subsequent albums have been released on Merge Records
Merge Records
Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
.
He has guested on recordings by Cat Power
Cat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
, Neko Case
Neko Case
Neko Case is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her solo career and her contributions as a member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers....
, Beth Orton
Beth Orton
Beth Orton is a BRIT Award–winning English singer-songwriter, known for her 'folktronica' sound, which mixes elements of folk and electronica. She was initially recognised for her collaborations with William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers in the mid 1990s. However, these were not Orton's first...
(with whom he co-wrote the title track to her album Comfort of Strangers
Comfort of Strangers
Comfort of Strangers is English singer-songwriter Beth Orton's fourth studio album, the follow-up to 2002's Daybreaker. The album was recorded in just two weeks at New York's Sear Sound studio in the spring of 2005, with the much-acclaimed musician and composer Jim O'Rourke as producer...
), The Court & Spark
The Court & Spark
The Court & Spark was a San Francisco-based indie rock band formed in the spring of 1998 around the nucleus of Scott Hirsch, Alex Stimmel, James Kim, and lead vocalist M.C. Taylor...
, Bright Eyes (with whom he toured on the 2004 Vote for Change
Vote for Change
The Vote for Change tour was a politically-motivated American popular music concert tour that took place in October 2004. The tour was presented by MoveOn.org to benefit America Coming Together. The tour was held in swing states and was designed to encourage people to register and vote...
tour with R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
and Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
), Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis
Jennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
(whose debut solo album Rabbit Fur Coat
Rabbit Fur Coat
Rabbit Fur Coat is an album by Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley, featuring The Watson Twins. It was released in the United States on January 24, 2006 by Team Love. Lewis has described the album as a "sort of soul record". The album contains a cover of the Traveling Wilburys song "Handle With Care",...
he co-produced), and My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
.
In 2004, Ward played guitar for Bright Eyes on a taping of The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. During the performance, Bright Eyes' singer Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
yelled out "M. Ward for President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
!" This prompted Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
to run an article on Ward and his next album Transistor Radio. Also in 2004, Ward had his song Transfiguration #1 featured in Chris Malloy's surf documentary "A Brokedown Melody."
In 2005, Ward was – along with Burtch, Lytle
Jason Lytle
Jason Lytle is an American musician best known for his work in the indie rock group Grandaddy. He released a solo album in 2009 and is currently in the band Admiral Radley.-Biography:...
and Fairchild
Jim Fairchild
Jim Fairchild is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter. He records under the name All Smiles.-Biography:...
from Grandaddy
Grandaddy
Grandaddy was an American indie rock band, formed in 1992 in Modesto, California by singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch. Guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden later joined the band in 1995...
, Scout Niblett
Scout Niblett
Emma Louise Niblett , better known by the stage name Scout Niblett, is an English singer and songwriter. Her music is frequently minimal in style, many of her songs consisting merely of vocals accompanied by either drums or guitar, which she mostly plays herself. She is known for her intimate live...
, Marie Frank or Jeremy Gara
Jeremy Gara
Jeremy Gara is a Canadian drummer originally from Ottawa, Ontario. He currently plays with successful indie rock band Arcade Fire. He has played in many other bands in the past, including "slow-core" band Kepler and math rock band Weights and Measures. He also had a part in the self-titled album...
– involved in Howe Gelb
Howe Gelb
Howe Gelb is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer based in Tucson, Arizona.-Projects:Gelb's approach to music is collaborative and he has recorded with a number of side projects...
's project called Arizona Amp and Alternator, which had officially no band members but a lot of involved musicians (M. Ward voice can be recognized on track Aaaa(3)).
In 2006, he contributed a song to, and helped produce the John Fahey
John Fahey (musician)
John Fahey was an American fingerstyle guitarist and composer who pioneered the steel-string acoustic guitar as a solo instrument. His style has been greatly influential and has been described as the foundation of American Primitivism, a term borrowed from painting and referring mainly to the...
tribute album I Am the Resurrection. He also appears on Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
' album Not Too Late
Not Too Late
Not Too Late is the third studio album by jazz and pop musician Norah Jones, released in January 2007. It was produced by Lee Alexander, the songwriter and bassist featured on Jones's previous albums, Come Away with Me and Feels like Home...
, performing backing vocals and guitar on "Sinkin' Soon
Sinkin' Soon
"Sinkin' Soon" is a song written by Norah Jones and Lee Alexander, and is the second single from Jones's third solo album, Not Too Late . It was released in the United States on March 26, 2007 ....
", and toured as the opener and a member of her "Handsome Band" for the album in the spring of 2007. Also his cover of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's song "Let's Dance
Let's Dance (David Bowie song)
"Let's Dance" is the title album track on David Bowie's album Let's Dance. It was also released as the first single from that album in 1983, and went on to become one of his biggest-selling tracks....
" is featured on the soundtrack of the 2007 New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
film Eagle vs Shark
Eagle vs Shark
Eagle vs Shark is a 2007 New Zealand romantic comedy film directed by Taika Waititi and financed by the New Zealand Film Commission. The screenplay was also written by Waititi, based on the character of Lily created by Loren Horsley....
. Ward was previously a member of the band Rodriguez
Rodriguez (band)
Rodriguez was a San Luis Obispo based rock band active in the mid to late 1990s.The band is notable as an early collaboration between Matt Ward and Kyle Field , along with a series of drummers: Jake Hockel, Sanjeev Srinivas, and Mike Funk...
with Kyle Field
Kyle Field (musician)
Kyle Field is the artist behind the band Little Wings.Field was born in Alabama, the son of a college football coach, but his family quickly moved to California where he grew up to love surfing.-Music:...
of Little Wings. Their album Swing Like a Metronome was released in 2000 and produced by Jason Lytle of Grandaddy
Grandaddy
Grandaddy was an American indie rock band, formed in 1992 in Modesto, California by singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch. Guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden later joined the band in 1995...
.
In 2006, he released Post-War
Post-War
Post-War is the fifth studio album by M. Ward. It was released on August 22, 2006 by Merge Records. It features the single "To Go Home," a cover of a song written by Daniel Johnston. Guest appearances were made by Jim James of My Morning Jacket , Neko Case and Mike Mogis...
, which was described by Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
in its August 2006 issue as thematic on the question "How will America heal once this craziness in Iraq is over?" Ward said in that article that he looked to the post-war music of the late 1940s and 1950s. "I had the naive, simplistic idea that producers and writers and artists of the time helped in a minuscule way to change the mind-set of America." The album was released on Merge Records and features cameo performances by Howe Gelb
Howe Gelb
Howe Gelb is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer based in Tucson, Arizona.-Projects:Gelb's approach to music is collaborative and he has recorded with a number of side projects...
, Jim James
Jim James
James Edward Olliges Jr. , professionally known as Jim James or Yim Yames, is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Louisville, Kentucky-based rock band My Morning Jacket. James grew up in the Hikes Point neighborhood of Louisville, attended St. Martha grade school and graduated...
and Neko Case
Neko Case
Neko Case is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her solo career and her contributions as a member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers....
.
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
It's Hard to Find a Friend: "According to the Omaha City Weekly:
...Also with recording plans for the winter is Conor Oberst. Beginning in the new year, Oberst is slated to begin recording two new albums — one a solo record in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
(the album is self titled "Conor Oberst") with Jake Bellows playing a role and another with a new band being formed with M. Ward". http://www.hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com/
In 2006, Ward recorded a duet with actress Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Claire Deschanel is an American actress, musician, and singer-songwriter. In 1999, Deschanel made her film debut in Mumford, followed by her breakout role as young protagonist William Miller's troubled older sister Anita in Cameron Crowe's 2000 semi-autobiographical film Almost Famous...
, a collaboration which resulted in the formation of the band She & Him
She & Him
She & Him is an American indie pop duo consisting of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward . The band's first album, Volume One, was released on Merge Records in March 2008...
. The duo's album Volume One — which Ward produced — was released on Merge Records
Merge Records
Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
on March 18, 2008. Ward and Deschanel performed (along with Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo, sometimes abbreviated as YLT, is an American alternative rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan , Georgia Hubley , and James McNew .Despite achieving limited mainstream success, Yo La Tengo has been called "the quintessential...
) on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
on April 22, 2008. Returning from She & Him
She & Him
She & Him is an American indie pop duo consisting of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward . The band's first album, Volume One, was released on Merge Records in March 2008...
duties, M. Ward has released his sixth solo studio album, Hold Time
Hold Time
Hold Time is the sixth proper studio album from M. Ward, released on February 17, 2009. Hold Time is the follow-up to his 2006 album Post-War and its companion EP To Go Home in 2007....
, on February 17, 2009. Ward has said that he doesn't enjoy playing shows very much: "In general I like it. I don't like being away from home that much. So it's O.K. It's a part of the job." He has also taken steps recently to restrict fans' use of cameras—even point-and-shoots—during his live shows.
Both Ward and Deschanel also agreed to be judges for the 9th annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
. In doing so, She & Him are using their growing influence to assist upcoming independent musicians' careers.
Ward's music has influenced subsequent singer-songwriters such as Jesse Marchant of JBM
JBM
JBM, also known as Jesse Marchant, is a Canadian singer songwriter who plays acoustic guitar and sings about subjects including "personal experience and the familiarity with loss," according to Glide Magazine. His music has been compared to "Bread meets America"...
.
Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk is an American supergroup, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes, and M. Ward, renowned solo artist. The band was formed in 2004 when the members were on tour with their respective bands and solo projects. After playing...
, the project Ward and Oberst began, finally released their self-titled debut album
Monsters of Folk (album)
Monsters of Folk is the self-titled first studio album by American indie rock band Monsters of Folk, a group that consists of the artists Jim James, Conor Oberst, M. Ward, and Mike Mogis. Originally slated for release in 2010, the album was released through Shangri-La Music and Rough Trade on...
in September 2009. The band also includes Jim James
Jim James
James Edward Olliges Jr. , professionally known as Jim James or Yim Yames, is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Louisville, Kentucky-based rock band My Morning Jacket. James grew up in the Hikes Point neighborhood of Louisville, attended St. Martha grade school and graduated...
of My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
(credited as Yim Yames) and Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
from Bright Eyes.
A Very She & Him Christmas was announced on Pitchfork.com in September 2011. The twelve track Christmas album was released October 25, 2011 under Merge Records.
Influences
Ward says that "Amazing GraceAmazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
" is probably his favorite song. His favorite piece of musical equipment is the TASCAM
TASCAM
TASCAM is the professional audio division of TEAC Corporation, headquartered in Montebello, California. Tascam is credited as the inventor of the Portastudio, the first cassette-based multi-track home studio recorders. Tascam also introduced the first low-cost mass produced multitrack recorders...
4-Track Recorder, which he uses to start every song he writes. Ward is sponsored by Gibson Guitars, his main guitar being the Johnny A. model.
Regarding the types of music he grew up listening to, Ward said: "My dad turned me on to Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
. He was always into gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
and country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. My mom listened to classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
."
Albums
- Duet for Guitars #2 (1999)
- End of AmnesiaEnd of Amnesia-Track listing:# "End of Amnesia" – 2:11# "Color of Water" – 3:23# "Half Moon" – 2:49# "So Much Water" – 4:02# "Bad Dreams" – 4:16# "Archangel Tale" – 3:48# "Silverline" – 2:20# "Flaming Heart" – 3:54# "Carolina" – 4:19...
(2001) - Live Music & The Voice of StrangersLive Music & The Voice of StrangersLive Music & The Voice of Strangers is a collection of live recordings by M. Ward. It was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows in 2001. The song "Brazillience" would later appear on the album Transistor Radio as "Regeneration No.1."...
(2001) - Transfiguration of VincentTransfiguration of VincentTransfiguration of Vincent, released in 2003, is the third studio album by singer-songwriter M. Ward. The title alludes to the 1965 album The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death by John Fahey, and refers to the life and death of Vincent O'Brien, a close friend to Ward.-Reception:Transfiguration of...
(2003) - Transistor RadioTransistor Radio (album)Transistor Radio is the fourth studio album by M. Ward.The first track is an instrumental cover of a track from The Beach Boys album Pet Sounds....
(2005) - Post-WarPost-WarPost-War is the fifth studio album by M. Ward. It was released on August 22, 2006 by Merge Records. It features the single "To Go Home," a cover of a song written by Daniel Johnston. Guest appearances were made by Jim James of My Morning Jacket , Neko Case and Mike Mogis...
(2006) (#146 U.S.) - Hold Time (2009) (#31 U.S.)
She & Him
- Volume OneVolume One (She & Him album)Volume One is the first album by She & Him, a collaboration between M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel. It was released by Merge Records on March 18, 2008....
(2008) (#71 U.S.) - Volume TwoVolume Two (She & Him album)Volume Two is the second studio album by She & Him, a collaboration between M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel. It was released on March 17, 2010 through P-Vine Records in Japan, in the United States on March 23, 2010 through Merge Records, and on April 5, 2010 on Double Six Records in the UK.The...
(2010) (#6 U.S.) - A Very She & Him Christmas (October 25th, 2011)
Compilation tracks
- "John King's Watercolor Bicycle" on Acuarela Songs 1 (2001, Acuarela)
- "Fearless" on Merge Records Presents: Survive and Advance Vol. 3 (2003, MergeMerge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
) - "Story of an Artist" (Daniel JohnstonDaniel JohnstonDaniel Dale Johnston is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and artist. Johnston was the subject of the 2006 documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston. He currently lives in Waller, Texas....
) on The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered CoveredThe Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered CoveredThe Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered is a 2004 Gammon Records two-disc set. The first disc features covers of Daniel Johnston songs by a variety of different artists...
(2004, Gammon) - "One More Goodbye" on Old Enough 2 Know Better: 15 Years of Merge Records (2004, Merge)
- "Let My Love Open the Door" (Pete TownshendPete TownshendPeter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
) on Sweetheart 2005: Love SongsSweetheart 2005: Love SongsSweetheart 2005: Love Songs is a compilation album, released under Starbucks' Hear Music label in January 2005 in the United States. Sold in stores, the album features contemporary musicians covering classic love songs.-Track listing:...
(2005, HearHear MusicHear Music, also known as StarCon is the brand name of Starbucks' retail music concept and record label. Hear Music began as a catalog company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1990 before being purchased by Starbucks in 1999.-Concept:...
) - "Green River" (Creedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
) on Green River: Benefit For Mercy Corps (2005, Merge) - "Bean Vine Blues #2" (John FaheyJohn Fahey (musician)John Fahey was an American fingerstyle guitarist and composer who pioneered the steel-string acoustic guitar as a solo instrument. His style has been greatly influential and has been described as the foundation of American Primitivism, a term borrowed from painting and referring mainly to the...
) on I Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John FaheyI Am the ResurrectionI Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey is a tribute album to guitarist John Fahey released in 2006. The album's title is taken from the title of the third track of his album The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death.-History:...
(2006, VanguardVanguard RecordsVanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
) - "What Is a Soul?" on Big Change: Songs for FINCAFincaFinca is a board game published by Hans im Glück. Players collect fruit by stepping around a windmill and then selling the fruit in specific combinations to the various towns on the game board.The game was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres in 2009....
(2007, IODA) - "Let's Dance" on Sounds Eclectic: The Covers ProjectSounds Eclectic: The Covers ProjectSounds Eclectic: The Covers Project is a compilation album consisting of cover songs performed by a variety of artists on KCRW. The recordings come from "Sounds Eclectic", a weekly syndicated public radio program hosted by Nic Harcourt that plays a variety of music, taken from the archives of the...
(2007, Hear) - "Crooked Lines" on The Hottest StateThe Hottest StateThe Hottest State is a 2006 drama directed and written by Ethan Hawke, based on Hawke's 1996 novel of the same name. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2006, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 24, 2007. It ran for 5 weeks and grossed...
(Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2007, Sony/ATV)
Other appearances
- The Band of Blacky Ranchette – Still Lookin' Good to MeStill Lookin' Good to MeStill Lookin' Good to Me is a 2003 album by The Band of Blacky Ranchette. The album features contributions from John Convertino, Joey Burns, Neko Case, Richard Buckner, Cat Power, M...
(2003, Thrill Jockey) - My Morning JacketMy Morning JacketMy Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
– Z - Into The Woods (2005, ATOATO RecordsAccording to Our Records was founded in early 2000 by Dave Matthews , Coran Capshaw, Chris Tetzeli, and Michael McDonald as a division of RCA Records...
) - Jenny LewisJenny LewisJennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
& The Watson TwinsThe Watson TwinsThe Watson Twins are an American musical group based in Los Angeles with alternative country and indie folk influences. They are identical twin sisters named Chandra and Leigh Watson....
– Rabbit Fur CoatRabbit Fur CoatRabbit Fur Coat is an album by Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley, featuring The Watson Twins. It was released in the United States on January 24, 2006 by Team Love. Lewis has described the album as a "sort of soul record". The album contains a cover of the Traveling Wilburys song "Handle With Care",...
(2006, Team Love) - Bright Eyes – Four WindsFour WindsFour Winds is an EP by the indie rock band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single from their album Cassadaga. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a...
(2007, Saddle CreekSaddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
) - Bright Eyes – CassadagaCassadaga (album)Cassadaga is the seventh studio album by Bright Eyes, released on April 10, 2007. Around 25 to 30 songs were recorded in 2006, with 13 of these appearing on the final track list...
(2007, Saddle Creek) - Jenny LewisJenny LewisJennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
– Acid TongueAcid TongueAcid Tongue is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis, released in September 2008 through Warner Bros. and Rough Trade Records. Inspired by jam sessions, the album was recorded in January 2008 in Van Nuys, California with the intent of capturing a more live feeling than...
(2008, RepriseReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
) - Jolie HollandJolie HollandJolie Holland is an American singer and performer who combines elements of folk, traditional, country, rock, jazz, and blues...
– The Living and the DeadThe Living and the DeadThe Living and the Dead is a novel by Australian Nobel Prize laureate Patrick White, his second published book . It was written in the early stages of World War II whilst the author alternated between the United Kingdom and the United States....
(2008, Anti Records) - Alain BashungAlain BashungAlain Bashung was a French singer, songwriter and actor.- Youth :Alain Bashung was the son of a Breton factory worker and French Kabyle father, whom he never knew. His mother remarried, and at the age of one, Bashung was sent to Strasbourg to live with his new stepfather's parents...
- Bleu Pétrole (2008, Barclay RecordsBarclay RecordsBarclay Records is a French record label founded in the mid-1950s by Eddie Barclay under the alias, Edouard Ruault. Eddie Barclay also founded the Riviera label in the early-1950s....
) - Eli StoneEli StoneEli Stone is an American TV series, and also the name of the title character.San Francisco lawyer Eli Stone begins to see things, which leads him to discover a brain aneurysm...
– season one, episode two - The Go-GetterThe Go-Getter (film)The Go-Getter is a 2007 American independent road movie directed and written by Martin Hynes. The film stars Lou Taylor Pucci, Zooey Deschanel, and Jena Malone. In the film, 19-year-old Mercer steals a stranger's car to embark on a road trip to find his estranged brother and tell him that their...
- Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro EscovedoAlejandro EscovedoAlejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
- The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered CoveredThe Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered CoveredThe Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered is a 2004 Gammon Records two-disc set. The first disc features covers of Daniel Johnston songs by a variety of different artists...
(2004, Gammon Records)
External links
- M. Ward's homepage
- M. Ward official Myspace page
- M. Ward official Facebook page
- Future Farmer infopage
- Matador Records infopage
- Merge Records infopage
- Review of "Post War" on Subculture Magazine
- Lazy-i Interview: July 2003
- Trouser Press entry
- Prefixmag.com Interview: October 2006
- M. Ward Concerts & Interviews at NPR Music
- Guitars Played By M. Ward at Fretbase
- Phrequency.com Photos/Review: February 2009
- M. Ward article March 2009
- AV Club interview
- In Music We Trust interview
- Vanity Fair article
- Monsters of Folk Myspace page