Matt Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a Portland, Oregon-based singer-songwriter. Ward was previously with the band Rodriguez, who released the album Swing Like a Metronome in 2000. His solo debut Duet for Guitars #2 was released by Howe Gelb on his Ow Om record label. Ward's 2001 album, End of Amnesia, was put out by Future Farmer Records and his subsequent albums have been released on Merge Records. A collection of live recordings, Live Music & The Voice of Strangers, was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows.

He has guested on recent recordings by Cat Power, Beth Orton, The Court & Spark, Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis and My Morning Jacket. In 2006, he contributed a song to, and helped produce, the John Fahey tribute album, I Am the Resurrection.