Mike Williams is a seasoned musician and songwriter based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Drawing inspiration from iconic acts like the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Klaatu, and the timeless sound of classic Chicago blues, he has been crafting original music since the late 1970s.
During the 1980s, Mike actively pitched his songs, seeking a recording or publishing deal in the industry. By the 1990s, however, he grew disillusioned with the increasingly formulaic demands of major labels. Turning inward, he and his brother began writing and recording their original material in a dedicated 4-track home studio, building a rich catalog of unreleased work.
In late 2011, Mike decided to write, record and produce his debut album
Leaving Dystopia which was released in February 2013 and
remastered in December 2022. Leaving Dystopia continues to be widely listened to across the world.
In 2018, Mike released his follow-up album,
Hollow Moon which contains 8 original songs. Hollow Moon was remixed and
remastered in November 2023.
In May 2023, Mike released his third album
No More Gods, consisting of 10 original tracks.
Mike released two compilations in December 2023:
A Decade of Rockers (15 high-energy tracks full of driving riffs and classic rock spirit) and
A Decade of Blues and Ballads (13 soulful, introspective songs blending heartfelt ballads and bluesy emotion). Together they feature 28 original songs from his 2013–2023 catalog.
In March 2026, he released
Selections—a concise 14-track collection distilling the best highlights from both albums into one essential overview. All three albums showcase Mike's original music from 2013–2023 and are available on Bandcamp for streaming and download, with
Selections also offered on vinyl via
ElasticStage.
In December 2025, Mike released
Love Roller Coaster, an 8-song collection that dives into the ups and downs of relationships—the highs, heart-pounding twists, emotional drops, and unexpected turns that define love, connection and sometimes breakup. The album is curated from Mike's previously released catalog. The
digital version is available for streaming and purchase on
Bandcamp (high-quality downloads and streaming). The
vinyl edition (8 tracks) is currently available and can be ordered from
Elasticstage (ships from the UK).
Mike completed recording all tracks for
Yesteryear in January 2026, wrapping up an ambitious 22-month project. The Yesteryear Project revives previously unreleased original songs and demos written between 1979 and 1992—archival material originally captured on 4-track and 8-track machines, reel-to-reel tape, and cassette. These songs have been faithfully revisited and re-recorded in full 24-track detail, reimagining them with fresh perspective while preserving their original melodies, spirit, and essence. The album features a core of 10 songs, plus Mike's new 2026 composition
"Mr. Charles" as a special bonus eleventh track. The
digital version (11 tracks) is now available for streaming and purchase on
Bandcamp. The
vinyl edition (also 11 tracks) is also available and can be ordered from
Elasticstage (ships from the UK).
In September 2026, Mike finished a 10-song album drawn from 17 unreleased demos by his late stepdaughter. Dedicated to her memory and talent, it is set for a private, family-only release in October. Kate, you are loved and missed.
Since February 2013, when Mike released Leaving Dystopia,
his catalog of songs has been streamed 8.9 million times on major streaming sites as well as receiving
565,000 listens on
Soundcloud and
91,000 plays on
Reverbnation..
Mike's unique style and fusion of influences shine through in his refreshing and relevant collection of songs, which he hopes will help awaken your inner spirit. Enjoy!
