To Go Home

“After a six-year stint with the trio Rodriguez, M. Ward began sketching out songs deeply rooted in the classic traditions of American country-folk. Rodriguez's home was in San Luis Obispo, CA, and they eventually recorded Swing Like a Metronome with Granddaddy's Jason Lytle. Ward's first solo effort came in the form of Duet for Guitars #2, which was written and recorded with the help of John King while Ward was living between Chicago and various locales on the West Coast. Eventually, Duet for Guitars #2 was placed in the hands of the ever-enigmatic Giant Sand mastermind Howe Gelb, who released it on his own Ow Om Recordings in the fall of 2000. The record enjoyed favorable reviews and a considerable amount of attention in underground rock circles and Ward supported it with a handful tours throughout the United States and Europe. His follow-up, End of Amnesia, was released on Future Farmer in 2001. In 2003 he signed with Merge and released Transfiguration of Vincent, followed by Transistor Radio in 2005 and Post-War in 2006. In 2008, after collaborating on a song for the film The Go-Getter with actress Zooey Deschanel, the unlikely duo released a well-received album of covers and Deschanel originals called Volume One under the moniker She & Him. Ward returned to the studio later that year to begin work on 2009's Hold Time.” - Nate Cavalieri, All Music Guide