I’m obsessed with tunes. Picking up the guitar lets me express complex emotions in ways I’ve never been able — or even wanted — to do with words. That’s why I make instrumental music.
I’m a composer, producer and artist with over one hundred tracks streamed more than 100 million times on platforms including Pandora and Spotify. My music moves between solo acoustic guitar and melodic, cinematic soundscapes, drawing on folk, jazz, new age and rock.
Some more kind quotes from music reviewers…
“The beauty of Mike Howe’s music does not come from an exhilarating execution that will take your breath away. Instead he produces melodies that will allow you to take a deep breath and forget about the worries that each and every day brings”.
“…..It is difficult to classify Howe’s music, but his simple, straightforward songs reflect folk traditions with a contemporary sensibility. More than anything, this music is humble, heartfelt, and strikingly beautiful”.
Thank you for dropping by. If you’ve any questions my contact details are on the contact page on this site.
Awards:
2015: WINNER: One World Music Radio Awards: Best Acoustic Instrumental Album – Lichens
2015: Nomination: Hollywood Music and Media Awards: Best Instrumental Composition -“Remember” from the album “Lichens”
2011: Nomination: ZMR Awards: Best Instrumental Album – Island of Anywhere
2010: Nomination: ZMR Awards: Best Instrumental Album – Round River
2009: Nomination: ZMR Awards: Best New Artist – Time Stands Still
Mike Howe 
My apologies. When I wrote my message earlier today, I referred to Long Before as Long Ago. I’m sorry. I was nervous writing to you 😞
No problem at all, thank you for writing to me! 🙂
Dear Mike ,
The first time I heard your music was on Pandora. It was “Long Ago”. I immediately hit the thumbs up button because I wanted to hear more of your music. That song immediately took me away from the stress and noise of LA and took me to my favorite place on Earth, the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria, California. It’s a spectacular and beautiful place that touches your soul. It’s peaceful and magical. Since hearing Long Ago, I’ve discovered so many favorites – Island of Anywhere, Sails, Nightfall, and more. Your music is peaceful and magical, and it always takes me outside to nature, where I’d always rather be. I find myself also listening to the other instruments in each song. I’ll single out the bass or drums and focus on that. I’ve always done that. The fact that you play all the instruments is mind-blowing. You have an incredible talent and the world is a better place because of you and your music. Thank you for the peace and happiness your music brings me, and always taking me back to Fiscalini Ranch. Julie
Dear Julie
Thanks for your lovely message. I’m so glad that you found my music and I’m very grateful for the Pandora thumbs up. Every one of those helps me so much, so thank you. I’ve been so surprised and grateful for the response to Long Before, which has been a phenomenal hit for me, and seems to have touched so many people. I’m glad you like that one, and I’m glad that it reminds you of such a beautiful place.
Thank you again for your lovely kind words
Mike
New to your music within the last few months. I’m in my 60s and play 6 & 12 string for my own amazement. Your playing is very soothing and I relax immediately when I hear it. My late husband was a Howe. Now I tell my kids there’s a famous musician in the family!
I’ve never played a 12 string, sounds interesting and I’m glad you’re still playing. Thanks for the compliment. I’m completely self taught (with all the limitations that brings!). Since I started releasing music I’ve become aware of a surprising number of Howe’s! Thanks, Mike
Pandora Free led me to your channel. It’s well within my listening and playing taste in music. I’m an old guy now, but we’re a lot alike, I think, at least based upon what you’ve provided here – – Except you would appear better at it and more successful. Best of luck and shake some off my way, please.
Thanks a lot appreciate it! Good luck with your playing too
Love the melody. Divine. The acoustic guitar is probably my most favourite sounding instrument. Especially when playing soft, melodic, melancholic, meditative, transcendental ……Literally played Beyond the Mountains as a loop for 6 hours. Makes me want to get to my acoustic guitar and finally learning to play it as well as you do. Something I should have developed years ago. Never too late I guess for me even at 56. Your melodies are so soulful and the sound of the acoustics just purely breath taking. Music from the heavens.
Thanks so much! Yes you should definitely get to your acoustic guitar more, it’s never too late!
dear Mike , I’m music collector, I been listening from progressive Rock to contemporary jazz, from King Crimson to Pat Metheny, and now I discovered you .. your music is another gift to me ..I’m hoping to buy fee albums from you in the near future. Most of my collection is vinyl format . So I got 2,000 albums in vinyl..and you would part of my collection.. I will another fan in your world!! I was able to meet Erik wollo in one of his event … thanks for your great talent !!
Hi there, thank you I’m glad you like my music. You have an incredible vinyl album collection! Unfortunately my albums were never made on vinyl, and now all but one of my CDs are discontinued. Everything is streaming now! Pat Metheny has always been my inspiration, he is by far my favourite guitarist. A master. I love ECM jazz artists like Jan Garbarek, John Abercrombie, Marcin Wasilewski.
dear Mike , I’m music collector, I been listening from progressive Rock to contemporary jazz, from King Crimson to Pat Metheny, and now I discovered you .. your music is another gift to me ..I’m hoping to buy fee albums from you in the near future. Most of my collection is vinyl format . So I got 2,000 albums in vinyl..and you would part of my collection.. I will another fan in your world!! I was able to meet Erik wollo in one of his event … thanks for your great talent !!!
I just heard one of your songs on the Rumer Radio channel on Pandora. So peaceful, it just put me in a happy mood. Thank you for your music. I’m a new Mike Howe fan.
Thank you so much! That makes me happy too 🙂
I absolutely love Long Ago. It is a beautiful song, but I detect an undertone of sadness as well. What was your inspiration?
Thank you, I’m glad you like it, and I’m glad you can hear different emotions in it, that’s what I feel when I’m working on all my songs. I usually name the song after I’ve written it. long ago felt like the right title 🙂
Hi Mike,
listening to your music gives me so much peace and calmness. My favorite is a long way to go. Thank you so much:)
-Erin
Hi Erin,
Thanks for letting me know I’m so glad! Thank you 🙂
Mike
Mike,
I discovered your music in 2018 when I was going through a difficult time. I have listened to it nearly non-stop since. It’s what I put on when I go for a walk in nature, when I’m working, when I want to destress, and every Saturday and Sunday morning as I take my little dog on a ride. Your music has really helped me throughout these past years (especially during the pandemic) and I just wanted to say, “thank you”.
Hi Amy
Thank you for your lovely message. It doesn’t feel sufficient to just say thank you for your kind words and that I’m glad you like my music, but there’s not much else I can say to convey my gratitude. I’m blown away that you’ve been listening for so long, and that it’s helped you in good and bad times. Every time I sit down with my guitar and press record I always have doubts, so messages like yours give me confidence to keep going. Thank you! 🙂
Enjoy your peaceful compositions and playing style.
me as well awesome music changed me in many ways…
I’m glad, thank you
I’ve been playing guitar every day for more than 40 years, and this is wonderful music. Thank you for putting it out there.
Thank you!
Thank you Doug I’m glad you like it, great to know from a fellow guitarist!
nothing is said….all is heard…..river keeps flowing……into the silence Thank you
Fine words, thank you 🙂
Hi Soundeagle, thank so much for your great comments. Your essays look very interesting and inspiring, congratulations! Keep up the great work and thank you so much for your kind comments 🙂 Best wishes, Mike
Dear Mike,
I am delighted by your reply, and I would like to inform you that when you visit my blog, it is preferrable to use a desktop or laptop computer with a large screen to view the rich multimedia contents available for heightening your multisensory enjoyment at my blog, which could be too powerful and feature-rich for iPad, iPhone, tablet or other portable devices to handle properly or adequately.
Furthermore, since my intricate blog contains advanced styling and multimedia components plus dynamic animations, it is advisable to avoid viewing the contents of my blog using the WordPress Reader, which cannot show many of the advanced features and animations in my posts and pages. It is best to read the posts and pages directly in my blog so that you will be able to savour and relish all of the refined and glorious details plus animations.
I look forward to reading your forthcoming comment submitted to my said post entitled “We have Paleolithic Emotions; Medieval Institutions; and God-like Technology“.
Happy February to you very soon!
Yours sincerely,
SoundEagle
I am grieving the loss of my 21 year old son to a seizure. Your music reaches that place of deep hurt but also of bittersweet love and hope. From a momma’s heart…thank you Sweet Friend.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. Please accept my deepest sympathy, I’m so sorry x
Love your music Mike! It is so good to hear you are very much involved with ecology and preserving the natural environment, for future generations to enjoy as well! Thank you!
Thank you Kathy that’s really kind of you!
Hi Mike,your special,deep and beautiful music touch me in a way that easily connet me with my heart and make me feel happy to be alive and have appreciation for every day…..I never get tired of it.
Mike, you have an inmense God talent and with your music you make this world a beautiful and peaceful place to be; I can keep going on and on …..just today, tears of joy and gratitude came out my eyes listening to your unique music and reading the expresive post that people had done. THANK YOU ! from the bottom of my heart!
Manuel Yaconi
Manuel thank you very much, your words are so kind, I appreciate them very much. I do hope you continue to enjoy my music. I have a new single release in July, I hope you’ll enjoy that too. All the best and thank you again, Mike
I’m really enjoying the 4 songs that stream on the “Mike Howe radio” feature of your website. Was wondering how you selected these particular songs? Are they personal favorites of yours? My favorite is “Clouds.” So peaceful and beautiful :))
Thanks I seleceted them a few years ago and haven’t changed it since. I should probably add some more or maybe delete the widget as you can hear lots more tracks on the listen to music tab on the toolbar. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Mike, Want you to know how glad I am to have found your beautiful music with no lyrics to take my mind away from the beauty… Found you and your albums through Pandora – enjoying Lichens as we speak!
Hi thanks so much for your kind words, I’m so glad you like it 😃
Is this mike home from metal church?
Hi Jason, no I’m a different Mike Howe, but I wrote about the late great Mike Howe of Metal Church here…https://mikehowe.com/2021/08/03/sadness-for-the-real-mike-howe/
Mike,
Today Spotify has introduced me to your music for the first time and quickly aroused my curiosity about you which led me to your site here. What a treasure I’ve found. I totally agree with you your music is quite complete without lyrics. I’ve been listening all day to your various albums after downloading them and it amazes me how your ecology background comes flowing through load and clear. You have quite the talent. I have been a musician wannabe for many many years and yes with very similar interests in music and ecology. But I’ve found it necessary in my case that in order to pay the bills I had to pursue other careers. I’m so thankful there are folks out there though that carry on such good and important work and are able to share it with the rest of the world. Please keep the music coming!
Hi Jerry
Thanks so much for such kind comments and thoughts. Firstly I’m thrilled that you like my music and can identify with it so warmly. It means a lot to me to hear that. I’ve been very lucky to work for most of my life in the conservation field and, even though I love making music, I wouldn’t ever want to stop, I getvfar too much pleasure and satisfaction from the beautiful places I help conserve. I never stop learning about nature, there’s simply too much to learn, and it’s a privilege to be able to apply that knowledge and experience on a daily basis to wonderful landscapes here in Wales.
I’d be glad to know more about your ecological interests too sometime, and I’m intruiged when you say musician wannabe?
Thanks again for taking the trouble to comment.
Mike,
I just discovered your site.
I began listening to music from your album ‘Lichens’; gradually became conscious that my heart-rate was slowing; and a warm feeling of peace has settled in.
Wonderful way to begin my day. Thank you !! John
Hi John
I’m so glad to hear that the music on Lichens had such a positive effect upon you, and thank you for taking the trouble to let me know.
That’s a very fine name you have there by the way 😉
Hello Mike, i’ve started listening to your music a few months ago and i like it a lot. you’re a fine artist, my little baby girl stays listening to your songs while i’m rocking her in my arms. thanks for sharing your inner inspiration and your love for nature, Keep on giving us great music.
Regards from Peru.
Miguel that is such a lovely message thank you so much. It is such a nice feeling to know that you and your baby girl are enjoying my music so far away from me in Peru! Thank you for taking the time to tell me, I am very grateful.
Best wishes
Mike
Greetings Mike: the other day I stumbled upon you and your exquisite music for the first time. It stopped me in my tracks and took my breath away — I just went quiet inside, into a place of peace and rhythm that then let itself be carried by your many songs that are now joyfully having their way with me. I find it astonishing how the breadth and depth of your consciousness can be felt through the distinctive signature and healing/awakening presence of your music. As you know well, to discover music that one has a profound recognition of and resonance with is rare, a gift beyond measure. Just had to introduce myself and, most of all, say a gracious thank you for your evident well-seasoned life journey that is remarkably infused into each of your unique pieces; for your gift of hearing and following and capturing the presence of sound and allowing it to take you wherever it wants; and for the immense and embracing quiet you carry which I experince infused into all your songs — in what I interpret as a honorable serenade of reverence to the finest in ourselves and the life all around us. I’m grateful for the real pleasure of crossing and now sharing paths, Mike.
Be well, Gavin Frye
Hi Gavin, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words, I genuinely appreciate the the thought and time you’ve taken to say such nice things. All I can say is that I am extremely flattered and touched to know that you have connected with my music in this way. I can tell from your blogs that we share a love for nature, and especially forests! You have the finest forests in the world in California – I’ve been lucky enough to visit them twice in the past – and I am green with envy that you can go visit them and take in their awesome beauty 🙂 Say hello to the magnificent trees for me next time you go! All the best, Mike
Just stumbled into your site Mike and already finding it fascinating.
Hi Rebecca, thank you for looking in on me I hope you like what you see/hear 🙂
I don’t know why I haven’t left a comment here before. You might have noticed that instrumentals are my favourite kind of music. It feels so good to browse through your site again, Mike.
Thanks Paula I always really appreciate your kind words 🙂
You’ve answered my questions. 🙂 Now I need to have a listen. 🙂 🙂
I’m honored Jo, I really hope you like what you hear 🙂
I did 🙂
Mike, you’re clearly doing what you’re meant to do. Those landscapes talk. Lovely palette.
Thanks Rufus much appreciated 🙂
Were you first an ecologist and then a composer/recording artist? I am very interested in knowing how this all came to be? I think your music is very beautiful and impacting. And Ecology is such an amazing field!
Hi Silem, I was an ecologist before I started composing music, but I’ve been playing music since I was very young because I’ve always loved it. Having the ability to translate how I feel into original music was a dream that came true 🙂
Wow. That’s pretty admirable. Keep up the good work!