She & Him

Already an established actress, model and singer-songwriter, Zooey Deschanel was filming the Martin Hynes-directed road movie The Go-Getter, when she met M. Ward, who was writing the soundtrack music. They performed the Richard Thompson song "When I Get to the Border" over the film's closing credits and, discovering shared musical interests, Zooey Deschanel subsequently sent M. Ward demos of her self-written songs. The result was She & Him, a recording partnership originally forged via computer, fuelled by a mutual interest in alternative country and resulting in their debut album Volume One released in early 2008, followed by their first tour together. It wasn't a big commercial success, but received an enthusiastic critical response, including the minor hit "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" Suitably encouraged, Zooey Deschanel embarked on a frenzy of songwriting and, with some high profile public appearances and promotional shows, the band's second album Volume 2 in 2010 broke into the US album charts at Number 6. Led by the tracks "In the Sun" and "Thieves", it established She & Him as a strong live attraction - supplementing their unusual duo partnership with a versatile backing band. Following their success, She & Him continued to explore retro-inspired pop and holiday music, releasing A Very She & Him Christmas in 2011, which became a seasonal favorite. Their third studio album, Volume 3 (2013), returned to original compositions, before the release of Classics (2014), a collection of covers from the Great American Songbook, followed by Christmas Party (2016), blending festive cheer with their signature indie-pop style. In 2022, She & Him unveiled Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson, a full‑length homage to the co‑founder and principal songwriter of The Beach Boys, who personally collaborated on the  track "Do It Again."