M. Ward

Armed with a guitar, harmonica, sparse percussion and a tin-pan alley-esque piano, Portland, Oregon based songwriter M. Ward spins timeless classics that seem to flow effortlessly; simple yet eloquent tales alive with metaphor and imagery, told in a raspy, sepia-toned croon. His music bridges the gaps between the roots of various American musical traditions—Folk, Country, Blues and Rock. He has guested on recordings by Cat Power, 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. Recently, he made headlines alongside Zooey Deschanel (also an IMA Judge this year) for their collaborative effort, She & Him. Visit him on the web at www.mwardmusic.com and www.sheandhim.com.