M. Ward is Sold-Out :-(

I'm pretty bummed that I didn't snag a ticket to see M. Ward at Antone's tonight. Back when Transistor Radio came out I was going through a serious Brian Wilson phase so I had to get the album just to hear You Still Believe In Me. Then last year I re-fell in love with Mr. Ward after seeing him do an ACL after-show at La Zona Rosa. He did a few songs with David Rollins and Gillian Welch and I was absolutely blown-away. I also kicked myself for not catching She & Him during SXSW '08. I actually walked by a parking lot while they were performing and just kept walking cause that's just how things go during SXSW.

M. Ward's latest release is called Hold Time and seems to be getting mixed reviews. The critics seems a bit more satisfied with it than the fans. To be honest I'm more excited about a new She & Him album than a new M. Ward solo release. Is that mean? In a totally unrelated note I'd rather hear a new Brendan Benson release than ANOTHER Jack White band.


She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? video via YouTube

I guess it's pretty unfair to feature She & Him when it's actually an M. Ward solo gig at Antone's tonight but trust me you are going to love Ward's amazingly lyrical, effortless guitar work. To me everything he does sounds timeless, probably because so much of it is referential. I'm sure someone who is more schooled in Nashville, the Delta Blues, Americana music in general could give you all of the specifics but to me it's more of a feeling, ya know?

I'm kind of cheating with this video, but it's technically NOT She & Him it's actually from Ward's latest release, Hold Time. It's a cover of the Buddy Holly classic Rave On and just happens to feature Zooey Deschannel. What? It's not the same!


M. Ward - Rave On video via YouTube

Here's the title track from Hold Time:


M. Ward - Hold Time video via YouTube

The other band on the bill is listed as Calliope the only reference to a band by that name I found was a band that plays Renaissance festivals. Somehow I'm not convinced that is the opening act but part of me thinks it may be the case. I did find this other Calliope on MySpace and they're based in Michigan so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.


Brendan Benson - What I'm Looking For video via YouTube