She & Him, “Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson.” A She & Him album full of nothing but Brian Wilson covers? The very idea sounds so twee, so arch, so Wes-Anderson-y that some people might gag on general principle. Certainly, if you’ve never warmed to Zooey Deschanel and…

M. Ward, “Think Of Spring.” Matt Ward—better know as M. Ward—feels a connection with Billie Holiday that dates back to hearing her music while shopping at a San Francisco mall when he was in his 20s. Ward has said that as Lady in Satin played over the PA, he was…

She & Him perform at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 13, 2019. Onome Uyovbievbo/Staff. OAKLAND — The world got the hint that actress Zooey Deschanel could sing a Christmas standard when she belted out “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in Elf. Over the course of two holiday-themed albums with M.…

Photos: Nick DeCicco SAN FRANCISCO — Thanksgiving came early to San Francisco, at least according to Jim James. The My Morning Jacket frontman profusely and repeatedly thanked headliner and Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst during their show Saturday at The Fillmore in San Francisco. “It’s hard to believe it’s already Thanksgiving.…

Photos: Nick DeCicco SAN FRANCISCO — An almost-reunion for rock supergroup Monsters of Folk was the highlight of a strong Conor Oberst set to close out Friday’s first day of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park. Jim James and M. Ward joined Oberst for a pair…

M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel (She & Him), courtesy. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. A 2008 San Francisco gig demonstrated how far She & Him, the musical collaboration between alt-rocker M. Ward and indie actress Zooey Deschanel, has moved up in the world. She & Him…

She & Him perform at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on March 2, 2008. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. SAN FRANCISCO — You knew she could sing retro after Will Farrell walked in on her belting out “Baby It’s Cold Outside” in a…