Though it barely registers above a whisper, M. Ward’s voice can grab you like a shout. On the Portland-bred singer/songwriter’s fifth album, Post-War, that voice counts off the stuttering stop-start pulse of “Poison Cup,” almost begging the song to start.
But once the notes commence, the music falls backward in time—to the thin, scratchy tremolo of vintage 78s.
That’s “post-war” as in post those two World Wars that happened last century—not necessarily what’ll happen after Iraq. Though, according to various press, Ward wants you to think about that, too.
“I get most of my inspiration from listening to older records,” he tells Xpress. “It’s a really amusing challenge for me to try to do justice to these old great recordings.”
Emulating Depression-era balladeers without becoming a retro novelty act has become a rallying cry of sorts for Ward, and he’s using that voice to find followers.
“I think that people that are in my age group who are making music are in a unique privileged position … maybe we can begin to appreciate the way that those records sound, and come to the realization of the trap that happened in the ‘80s with digital technology. The records that I make are to a certain degree a reflection on that belief.”
Released last year, Post-War found itself on numerous year-end “best of” lists. And Ward found himself guesting on the albums of indie notables including My Morning Jacket, Beth Orton and Bright Eyes.
He also contributed vocals and guitar to adult-contemporary siren Norah Jones’ recent album, Not Too Late. So how does the latest in a long line of indie-rock It Boys feel about working with the choice pop chanteuse of middle-aged background-music lovers?
“I stay very happily in the dark as to who’s buying what record and what are the age group of the audience and whatnot,” Ward says. “Norah Jones is a great artist, and I’m honored to tour with her.”
Albeit cloaked in a timeless sound and a hipster buzz, Ward still considers himself just a regular music fan, and he tries to keep the business-related distractions away from his life.
“I’m one of those people who stays as far away from the marketplace as I can. I delegate all marketing things and management things to my management and my label. So I’m somebody who’s very happy just to listen to the music.” He explains: “I don’t give out too much biographical information; I’ve never been that interested in biographies.”
While the details of his life read as fuzzy as his records sound, his shows can be compelling. When Ward returns to the Orange Peel on Saturday, listeners will be met with an increasingly rare solo performance. Not that he’s adverse to picking up a fellow traveler, old-school-troubadour style.
“It will probably just be me—unless I meet someone along the way.”
[Jason Bugg is a local freelance writer.]
M. Ward plays the Orange Peel (101 Biltmore Ave.) on Saturday, April 28. 9 p.m. $15. 225-5851.
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