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.…

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…