Who: She and Him, a collaboration between indie-rock troubadour M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel.
Sounds Like: On their debut album Volume One, She and Him merge Bright Eyes, Emmylou Harris and Guided By Voices into expansive Phil Spector-inspired songs, with the entire package held together by Deschanel's silky vocals. "This was her first record, and she was discovering all the things she's capable of," says Ward.
Vital Stats:
• The duo first met while working on the 2006 film The Go-Getter, which starred Deschanel and featured original music by Ward. The film's director asked the pair to work on a cover of Richard and Linda Thompson's "When I Get to the Border," and the two discovered they were musical soulmates.
• Deschanel, who will star in the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan film The Happening this summer, feels that recording an album was a welcome change of pace compared to filming a movie. "Making movies is like being part of a giant machine," says Deschanel, "It's nice to work on a project where I have more control."
• Before Volume One, Deschanel's musical exhibitions were restricted to her duet with Will Ferrell on the song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in the film Elf, though she says she's been writing songs since she was eight.
Hear It Now: Volume One is out March 18th. Click above to hear the album's most straight-ahead rock track, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"
Watch every episode of our weekly New Breaking Artist video podcast by subscribing via iTunes (when prompted, click “Launch application”). Every Wednesday, an exclusive video profile of an emerging artist will be delivered to your iTunes. [If you don’t have iTunes, download it here.]
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- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.
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Anonymous | July 3, 2008 12:43 AM
Lovely.
FLO | June 22, 2008 1:35 AM
True talent! FINALLY! Zooey is amazing, and M. is a legend in the indie world. Deschanel has always been a singer and performer, and I'm happy she finally decide to make an album. Her pairing with Matt is perfection.
Oh, and to the idiot above who posted the stupid comment, at least try to make sense when you insult. Moron!
5 star band all the way! I wish there were more out there like this.
Anonymous | June 22, 2008 1:32 AM
Zooey is great, and M. is a legend in the indie world. They are great together, especially when they perform. Zooey has been a singer and performer since the start. This is true talent. And to the idiot who posted that comment above, at least try to make sense when you insult. Idiot.
She and Him is 5 star talent!
James Catterall | May 1, 2008 10:40 AM
Just saw S & H at the Vista in LA. Zooey and M are fab together and have a terrific band. M's guitar is unique and astounding. His harmonies set off Z's great voice.
A Connan O'Brien Watcher | April 23, 2008 1:33 AM
U suck get a real band and not he oldies u have in it get one drummer one backup guitatist and write a good song this group SUCKS
Lerado Rider | March 23, 2008 9:54 PM
I hope/wish M. would sing.
Chris | March 19, 2008 7:26 PM
Why haven't the last couple of these been up in the iTunes store? My player has a hard time with the site streams, the podcasts work much better. Help RS!
singingkitty | March 16, 2008 12:33 PM
I have liked Zoey as an actress for the longest time...then, I kept hearing the song "I Was Made For You" on the radio which I liked a lot and am so psyched that it's Zoey! Yeah...so cool! Especially since it's music I'd sing myself!
ShoupdeVile | March 14, 2008 9:46 AM
This music is really good and it needs to be a cover issue!
Jeff | March 10, 2008 3:11 AM
Sounds great. Very funky pop-folk. Looking forward to the album.
Anonymous | March 8, 2008 7:55 PM
She's also been performing live for years as part of If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies.
britpoppa | March 7, 2008 10:41 AM
she also sang in the movie, the new guy, which came out before elf.
The Fireproof | March 6, 2008 4:28 PM
Who would have thought the movie Elf would lead to a singing career? Sounds good. She sounds like she is trying to be a little folksy though, she has a great voice.