Downtown Judy Brown & Mike Ward
Lyric-driven, simple folk songs are what singer-songwriter Mike Ward produces. Currently living in
Detroit, Mike grew up listening to the Irish music of the Clancy Brothers and singing in church choirs.
His influences are the likes of Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Jason Isbell
and John Prine. The songs that Mike writes are a combination of stories and life lessons which are still
being learned.
His first studio album,”We Wonder”, was released in 2018, receiving four Detroit Music Award
nominations. Additionally, Phil Maq of WHFR 89.3FM named it 2019 Best Folk Album and in his
top 100 albums.
His latest album, “The Darkness and the Light” explores a life lived and all you see while looking over
the past, the present and future. The opening song, titled “Our Turn to Shine” presents a reflection of
our changing world and the importance of embracing new ideas. The last song, “No Way To Live” puts focus on the issue of homelessness and all proceeds from this song go to Detroit area organizations assisting those living on the streets.
Why Psychosongs? Turns out there are many Mike Ward’s creating music. His nickname, PsychoWard, provided an answer. (If you’ve seen him dance or play hockey, you’ll get it). So Mike Ward: Psychosongs became the label.
Mike performs various venues throughout Michigan and beyond. As well as festivals such as Arts, Eats & Beats, Wheatland 2020, Traverse City Film Fest, Thumbfest, Ferndale Front Porch, Detroit Folk Festival and FARM Performance Alley 2019.
He has also been featured on Jon Stein’s Hootenanny Cafe (4/18/2021), Ron Olesko’s Folk Music
Notebook Shelter in Place Showcase, WYCE Local Spins, The Detroit Songwriter Dispatch, The Hap-
peneers Livestream, Easy Lee WXTF-LP 97.9fm, Ron Leary’s Travelling Salesman Hour on CJAM 99.1,
Stratton Setlist Podcast from Grove Studios, and WNMC 90.7 Traverse City on Will Thomas’ Local Motion.