M. Ward

If Tom Waits played melodic pleasing folk music, it might sound like M. Ward.

Portland's M. Ward got his start when he stuck a demo tape in the hand of Howe Gelb following a Giant Sand show. Gelb listened to the tape on his tour bus and was excited by it enough to track Ward down.

His full name is Matt Ward but goes by M. Ward because........hmmmmmm..........it's cool? I don't know why but his 2003 album "The Transfiguration of Vincent" was one of the best albums that year. His album this year "Transistor Radio" is also good but isn't as strong as it's predecessor (but that's a massive hurdle to cross to be fair).

M. Ward - Vincent O'Brien
M. Ward - One More Goodbye
M. Ward - Radio Campaign