She & Him

She & Him is a musical project formed in 2006 by actress and musician Zooey Deschanel and guitarist and producer M. Ward. Deschanel had sung in films and had a background in music predating her acting career; Ward was already an established and critically respected solo artist when the two began collaborating. Volume One (2008), released on Merge Records, introduced the duo's sound — vintage-influenced pop and country, built on warm acoustic production, melodic simplicity, and the considerable charm of Deschanel's voice. The record drew on influences from the 1960s — Carole King, Dusty Springfield, and classic girl-group pop — while maintaining a contemporary lightness. It was warmly received and built a devoted audience. Volume Two (2010), Volume 3 (2013), and Classics (2014), a standards album, continued the formula without substantially altering it. Christmas (2011) became a popular seasonal record. A Very She & Him Christmas has been widely streamed and remains part of their enduring appeal. Muted Lurex (2022) was a more stripped-down and personal record, reflecting a matured perspective on the project. The duo have maintained their collaboration alongside busy individual careers — Deschanel's continuing screen work and Ward's prolific solo output and collaborations. She & Him occupy a warm, uncomplicated niche in American independent pop — a project whose pleasures are unpretentious and whose audience of devoted fans values exactly that quality.