Monsters of Folk

Shangri-La Music My Morning Jacket M. Ward She & Him Centro-matic South San Gabriel Monsters of Folk was an American supergroup, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket; Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes; and M. Ward, solo artist and half of She & Him. Will Johnson, solo artist and member of Centro-matic, played drums for the group during live performances, and, during their appearance on Austin City Limits, James called him "the fifth Monster". Ward stated in 2012 that their 2009 debut studio album is "definitely not a one-time thing", and was followed up by bonus material for the reissue by ATO Records in 2024.

The group was formed in 2004, when the members were on tour with their respective bands and solo projects. After playing together both on-stage and backstage, they started working on various material, but, due to the members' main projects, Monsters of Folk did not produce an album until 2009. They recorded the self-titled effort in Omaha, Nebraska, and Malibu, California, and embarked on a tour to support it.

Released on September 22, 2009, on Rough Trade Records, Monsters of Folk debuted at No. 143 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 15. It reached No. 3 on the Top Independent Albums chart, No. 8 on the Top Rock Albums chart, No. 7 on the Top Digital Albums chart, and No. 6 on the Top Alternative Albums chart.

On October 23 and 24, 2009, the group performed at Neil Young's 23rd annual Bridge School Benefit held in Mountain View, California, at the Shoreline Amphitheater.

The song "Baby Boomer" was chosen as the Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week for October 27, 2009.

"His Master's Voice" is featured on the soundtrack of the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Other appearances in media include "Map of the World", which is featured in an episode of the CW teen drama Gossip Girl.