‘All the songs create problems but also have solutions,’ he says of the new collection.
I normally start the day withThe New York Timesfront page, Ward told EW in December.
All the songs create problems but also have solutions.
Credit: Sarah Cass
So its a balance.
Since then, hes been mostly working on his solo career and producingMavis Staples latest album, out now.
Something, Im sure, will surface at some point, he says of both projects.
Its just a matter of finding time in everyones schedules, which is the trick.
For now, though, Wards busytouring.
Below, the veteran singer-songwriter shares howMore Rainbegan as an experiment and howactualrain ended up on the album.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: The album kicks off with a minute of rain sounds.
Howd that come about?
It seemed like a good way to start the show.
This was originally going to be a doo-wop album.
I dont want to stop the growth just because I had some crazy idea four years ago.
Do you feel like this is different than your other albums?
For me it is, because it was more experimental with the voice.
Thats the biggest difference.
Obviously being in Portland affected this record and how you wrote it.
How does location play a part in writing?
I actually get most of my inspiration from older music.
Thats kind of the way its always been.
Where I happen to be has an influence on how much time I have for writing.
You have to just create space to start writing, as you know, as a writer.
Sometimes its challenging because theres a lot of things to do.
Its not always good.
What track is the most important to you from this album?
The first one I would call a quote unquote successful experiment is Im Listening.
It was an attempt to start off with almost a doo-wop structure and then we built from that.
Thats the song that comes to mind.
More Rainis due out March 4, and see M. Wards upcoming tour dateshere.
