M. Ward and First Aid Kit: engine 5 video
M. Ward, understandably, waxes lyrically about working with First Aid Kit: “When they open their mouths, something amazing happens. It was a great thrill to go to Stockholm and record a few songs there. The sound from blood-related harmony singers is impossible to get any other way.”
The video for M. Ward and First Aid Kit‘s vibrant duet engine 5 mixes live-action home video footage and retro-inspired animation. Directed and animated by Amber McCall, it’s a homage to ’90s platform games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Their duet is one of many compelling collaborations on M. Ward’s album Supernatural Thing
You might be familiar with M Ward as one half of She & Him with Zooey Deschanel, so it should come as no surprise that he’s queued up intriguing partnerships for his latest album too.
If you loved engine 5 then you’re in luck because there are two M. Ward and First Aid Kit duets on M. Ward’s new album Supernatural Thing.
There are also collabs with Shovels & Rope, Neko Case, Scott McMicken (Dr Dog), and Ward’s Monsters of Folk bandmates Jim James (My Morning Jacket).
If you’re thinking that Ward really does have interesting famous friends, that’s not all. He recently caught up with his long-time friend Norah Jones for her Playing Along podcast.
Supernatural Thing is M. Ward’s first new album in three years (although to be fair, he did preload with two albums in 2020).
Eight of the ten tracks on Supernatural Thing are M. Ward originals. They fit alongside covers of David Bowie‘s I Can’t Give Everything Away and Daniel Johnston‘s Story of an Artist. Ward explained: “Bowie and Johnston are constant sources of inspiration for me.”
M. Ward’s UK and European 2023 tour dates
A live collaboration between M. Ward and First Aid Kit might be too much to hope for, nor a venue as unique as Ward’s recent show at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Nonetheless, you’ve got your own chance to hear engine 5 and the other new songs live on M. Ward’s UK and Europe tour in October 2023.
October 17, 2023: Strange Brew, Bristol, UK
October 18, 2023: Bush Hall, London, UK
October 20, 2023: Point Ephémère, Paris, France
October 22, 2023: Ramblin Roots Festival, Utrecht, Netherlands
Check out Music Closeup for more music news and reviews.