M. Ward unveils new video for ‘I’m Listening’
M.WARD UNVEILS NEW VIDEO FOR ‘I’M LISTENING’
Two intimate shows this week including Rough Trade Instore
Following much acclaim for his new album ‘More Rain’ – released last month via Bella Union – and he prepares for two intimate UK shows this week M. WARD today shares a rather beautiful new video for the albums ‘delightfully down-tempo’’ track “I’m Listening (Child’s Theme).” Directed by long-time collaborator Carlos Forster, you can check it out below:
M. Ward will perform two very intimate shows this week in London. On Wednesday he will be performing at Rough Trade East and Thursday will see him play a sold out underplay show at The Borderline. M. Ward will then be returning to these shores for End Of The Road Festival in September. Those dates below…
Wednesday 6th April – LONDON – Rough Trade East
Thursday 7th April – LONDON – The Borderline
Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th September – DORSET – End Of The Road Festival
Ward has released a string of acclaimed solo albums over the past several years, along with five LPs with Zooey Deschanel as She & Him and a 2009 collaborative album with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis under the moniker Monsters of Folk. In addition to his celebrated work as a musician, Ward is an accomplished producer, handling those duties for such luminaries as Mavis Staples, Jenny Lewis, and Carlos Forster as well as his own musical projects.
Critical acclaim for More Rain, out now on Bella Union…
“Swinging and sweetly affecting… More Rain is a brief encapsualtion of a particular worldview, all unabashed romanticism and guileless honesty, impeccably produced and pitched so up-close and personal that on ‘Phenomenon’ you can hear Ward’s mouth on the mic.” Uncut – 8/10
“Even at its most melancholy there’s a warmth and brightness to M. Ward’s eighth solo album. Rounding up R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, Neko Case and KD Lang to deepen his soulful ruminations, Ward creates songs that sound simultaneously intimate and grand.” Q – 4 Stars ****
“Ward opens More Rain with the sound of a deluge outside before going on to ponder the vast gulf between the American Dream and its less glamorous reality, but with the final glitterbeat stomp of ‘I’m Going Higher’ he finishes with the sun on his face.” MOJO
“A set of engagingly intimate songs.” Record Collector – 4 Stars ****
“Originally begun as a doo-wop album, More Rain ultimately took on Ward’s familiar style, its laidback lilts sketched in typically understated, elegant guitar parts, tinted with strings, pedal steel and keyboards, fronted by Ward’s genial, relaxed murmur.” The Independent – 4 Stars ****
“More Rain is less gloomy than its title suggests: while his eighth solo album as a shuffly affair, it grooves and growls. ‘Time Won’t Wait’ sprinkles honky-tonk, good-time piano over chugging guitars; ‘Confession’ sends Ward’s throaty rasp of a voice over a Pixies-esque bassline.” The Independent On Sunday – 4 Stars ****
“A superior, retro-tooled solo effort from M. Ward with songs that seep gently into your soul… On offer is a cunning combo of rock n roll, doo-wop, country and folk.” The Sun – 3.5/5
“A delightful down-tempo collection… ‘I’m Listening’ is a gorgeous lullaby with dreamy harmonies and ‘Slow Driving Man’ is awash with delicious tremolo.” Guitar and Bass – 8/10
