On September 13, 2024, Merge Records will release For Beginners: The Best of M. Ward. Gathering together 14 tracks from across his Merge discography, including the newly recorded song “Cry,” For Beginners is both a primer and a mixtape of favorites, a collection for M. Ward fans of any vintage.
For Beginners does not take a straight line through Ward’s discography. Beginning with “Chinese Translation” and “Poison Cup” from 2006’s Post-War, the collection drops in on him as he expands his prowess in the studio. Songs like 2003’s “Vincent O’Brien,” hailed upon the release of Transfiguration of Vincent for defying the norms of lo-fi production, are nestled next to material from 2009’s Hold Time.
In addition to the announcement of For Beginners, Ward has added more than a dozen fall shows, running from mid-September to October. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 26, at 10am local time. See below for dates.
M. Ward on tour
Jul 26 Carrboro, NC – Merge 35 [SOLD OUT]
Jul 29 Northampton, MA – The Iron Horse
Jul 30 Portsmouth, NH – 3S Artspace
Aug 01 Portland, ME – Portland House of Music and Events
Aug 02 Rockport, MA – Shalin Liu Performance Center
Aug 03 Westerly, RI – United Theatre
Aug 05 Amagansett, NY – The Stephen Talkhouse
Sep 15 Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater
Sep 17 Washington, DC – Union Stage
Sep 19 Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond 2024
Sep 20 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Sep 21 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
Sep 23 Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room Lounge
Sep 24 Kansas City, MO – Madrid Theatre
Sep 26 Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater
Sep 27 Austin, TX – Scoot Inn
Sep 28 Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
Sep 30 Nashville, TN – Third Man Records Blue Room
Oct 01 Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
Oct 02 Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
Oct 04 Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theater
Oct 05 Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom
Oct 06 Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
Nov 21 New York, NY – Cafe Carlyle
Nov 22 New York, NY – Cafe Carlyle
Nov 23 New York, NY – Cafe Carlyle
