She & Him | Fools Rush In

She & Him recently covered Ricky Nelson's "Fools Rush In" for Levi's Pioneer Sessions. While, it would've been awesomer to cover "Lonesome Town," Zooey pretty much kills this version. She and M. Ward have a knack for covering old songs and making them seem fresh while putting their own stamp on it without ruining the whole thing.

MP3: She & Him - Fools Rush In (Ricky Nelson cover)

She & Him | "In The Sun" | Video

She & Him "In The Sun"

Those two darlings of sweetness She & Him are back with "In The Sun" off Vol. 2. It's a bubbly, charming, sunny little number that doesn't stray far from what was so great about Vol. 1. But, I think this one is going to take a little while to grow on me... it reminds me a little too much of Zooey's take on the Cotton theme song.

MP3: She & Him - In The Sun

Please, Please Me

Zooey Dechannel is a hard working woman.  Not only is she in a new movie this summer, 500 Days of Summer, but, she and M. Ward got their She & Him on and recorded their take of The Smiths "Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want."  I'm not sure how good the movie is going to be, but, the song is fantastic.

MP3:  She & Him - Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want 

New M. Ward

Today I bring you the first single off "Never Had Nobody Like You."  It's Mr. Ward plugged in and slightly rocked up.  Oh, and did I mention it features his She & Him partner Zooey Dechanel singin' a little back up?

His new album comes out February 15 and I can't wait.

MP3:  M. Ward - Never Had Nobody Like You

What's The Big Deal?

I've read a couple of different articles (here and here) the last few days bashing Paste for tapping Vol. 1 by She & Him as their best for 2008. Maybe bashing is to strong of a word, but, I definitely get a sense of "wtf?!"

I got this album shortly after it came out and was blown away by how good it actually was. This isn't Scarlett Johansson trying to record. Nor is it that chick from Desperate Housewives who thinks she can sing. Zooey Dechanel proves she actually has some musical and vocal talent throughout the Vol. 1 and I just don't get what all the bashing is about. "This Is Not A Test" is one of the best songs I've heard all year; and their version of "You Really Got A Hold On Me" is stunning.

I'm assuming all the hub bub is because Dechanel is an actress first and a singer second. Ok, I get that. Sure, it's not super-indie like Vampire Weekend or Sufjan Stevens, but, you can't deny the talent and chemistry she and M. Ward have on this album.

She & Him Start Tour Today

She & Him start their small tour today. And in what has to be one of the great music injustices of the 2008 summer, She & Him are not coming through Dallas. I was really hoping they would, but, I'm sure she's got a busy acting schedule and him is busy playing as M. Ward.

So, if the dates are anywhere around you, I would definitely go see them. I'm sure it would be a fantastic time. So, in lieu of them coming to the D-Town, listen to my favorite track off Vol. 1 "This is Not a Test" live from SXSW 2008. (I wonder if they will run into Prince at First Avenue? Maybe Morris Day?)

MP3: She & Him - This is Not a Test (Live @ SXSW 08)

*Sorry, the tour started last night in Toronto. I wonder if they met Mr. Informer himself, Snow?*

Tour dates:

7/24/08 Northhampton, MA @ Academy of Music
7/25/08 Philadelphia, PA @Trocadero
7/26/08 NYC @ Terminal 5
7/28/08 Corrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
7/29/08 Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
7/30/08 Nashville, TN @ Mercury Lounge
7/31/08 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
8/2/08 Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival
8/4/08 Columbus, OH @ Wexner Center for the Arts
8/5/08 Chicago, IL @ Park West
8/7/08 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
8/8/08 Madison, WI @ Barrymore
8/10/08 Washington, DC @ V Fest

"Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" Video

So, I got the message from Merge that the She & Him video for "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" was released. However, I couldn't find it at the link they sent, then I couldn't find it on Youtube. However, I now have it.

"Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" is one of the better songs on one of the best albums of the year. (Though, I'm hoping they release "This is Not A Test" for video consumption.) If you have not heard this song, watch the video. If you have not heard the album, run, don't walk (!) out and buy it. Yes, it's that good! I believe my brother put it best when he said abuot Vol. 1 'It appeals to my country and pop sensibilities.' And, yes it does. It's not country-pop like you will hear on any country station. It's just got a lil' bit of twang to it. And, it doesn't hurt that Zooey Deschannel has a fn great voice! (Take that studio magic!)

Anyhoo, check out the greatness of "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"

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She & Him Tour

She & Him are going on a small tour this summer to promote their fantastic album Vol. 1.  Unfortunately, they are not coming anywhere near Dallas.  So, I guess I'm not going to be able to see this one.

She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? (mp3)

7/23/08 Toronto, ONT @ Opera House
7/24/08 Northampton, MA @ Academy of Music
7/25/08 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
7/26/08 New York, NY @ Terminal 5
7/28/08 Carrboro, NC @ Cats Cradle
7/29/08 Atlanta, GA @ Varsity Playhouse
7/30/08 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
7/31/08 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
8/2/08 Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival
8/5/08 Chicago, IL @ Park West
8/7/08 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
8/8/08 Madison, WI @ Barrymore
8/10/08 - Washington, DC @ V Fest

She & Him Video

She & Him are in the middle of or have shot their first video for the amazing Vol. 1. The article doesn't say which song it's for, but, I'm sure it's going to be good. It would be nice if it were for "This is Not A Test" which is my favorite song on the album. But, I'm sure it's for "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" (Stereogum)

She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? (mp3)

She & Him...Again

For those of you who didn't catch the She & Him performance of "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" last night on Conan, shame on you! No, I missed it too. But, by the magic of Youtube we can all see it.

It's nice to see that Zooey's voice isn't a product of studio magic and she can actually sing live and sound really good.

She & Him On Conan Tonight

For those of you that are either up at 1130 p.m. or even those who are DVR-friendly She & Him will appear as the musical guest on Late Night With Conan O'Brien tonight. I've been listening to Vol. 1 since it arrived at the house and I'm lovin' it!

She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? (mp3)

She & Him Interview

It seems like this is a She & Him kind of day.  It seems one Ms. Zooey Deschanel stopped by the friendly confines of NPR's Fresh Air program for a little interview.  You can listen to it here.  (NPR)

She & Him Tour, Kind Of

She & Him have announced a trio of shows that will hit the left coast and NYC.  I'm wondering if they will have more and more shows in the future since their lives shows have gotten such a positive response.  Maybe they'll hit up some festivals this summer.

(Rock & Roll Daily)

4/21/08 NYC @ Hiro Ballroom

4/29/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Vista Theatre

5/18/09 San Francisco, CA @ San Francisco Oysterfest

Ludacris vs. She & Him

I love the art of the mash-up. People don't always get it right, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. This one falls a little bit in the middle. Ludacris' vocals are little bit low and Zooey's vocals are a little loud. But, it's not to bad. Head over to The Hood Internet for a copy of this one and a bunch more they may tickle your fancy.

Ludacris vs. She & Him - Sentimental Mouth (mp3)

New She & Him

I have my grubby little hands on the new single "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" from She & Him, nee, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. It's definitely more upbeat than the songs we posted earlier.

She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here (mp3)

So far, they are only playing a couple of live dates. But, that could change in the future Conan.

March 2nd San Francisco, CA @ Noise Pop

March 14th Austin, TX @ The Parish (Merge Records SXSW showcase)

She and Him

I’m not usually a fan of actresses’ crossing over and making vanity albums. But, after listening to She and Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward) cover of The Miracles “You Really Got a Hold on Me” I was blown away. She has an incredible voice! She's not really trying to sound like anyone but herself. Her voice isn't velvety soft, but, her smokey and sultry.

The two first met in 2006 working on a movie soundtrack together. Apparently the two really hit it off and started recording together. Their album Volume One comes out via Merge Records on March 18.

Below are some selections from a recent stop the two made by KCRU's Open Road.

She and Him - You Really Got a Hold on Me (mp3)

She and Him- Magic Trick (mp3)