Exclusive Premiere: M. Ward's "Rave On" Video

In Issue 1073 (fronted by Taylor Swift), Rolling Stone's Jenny Eliscu took a close look at how M. Ward's vintage sound has made him indie rock's go-to collaborator (his recent pairings include work with Lucinda Williams and Jenny Lewis, and he's also known as the male half of She & Him, his band with Zooey Deschanel). The 35-year-old songwriter still plays the $50 guitar he found in a pawnshop nearly 10 years ago and is opposed to using digital equipment when recording, but his new video for his Buddy Holly cover "Rave On" features some fancy — but still charming — animation. Click above to watch the Mike Please-directed clip, and keep reading for Ward's updated tour dates.

April 17 - Indio, CA @ Coachella
April 18 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
April 19 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
April 20 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
April 22 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom
April 23 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
April 24 - Milwaukee, WIK @ Pabst Theater
April 25 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
April 26 - Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
April 27 - Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Theatre
April 28 - Montreal, QC @ Le National
May 16 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre
May 18 - Visalia, CA @ Fox Theatre
May 22 - Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theater
May 23 - George, WA @ Sasquatch Music Festival
July 23 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Twilight Concert Series*
July 27 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt
July 28 - Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
July 30 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
August 1 - New York, NY @ Summerstage*

*FREE to the public

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

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