www.mikebrown.org

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Brown makes music rooted in the rich traditions of Americana, folk, roots, country, and rock & roll. A natural storyteller with an unmistakably authentic voice, Brown writes songs populated by restless travelers, complicated relationships, hard-earned lessons, heartache, hope, and the places people find themselves along the way.

Brown’s music has the intimacy of a late-night listening room and the energy of a full roots band. Acoustic guitar, dobro and other stringed instruments provide the foundation for songs that can move from quiet, reflective storytelling to gritty, foot-stomping Americana. 

His influences reach across generations of American music—the storytelling traditions of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, John Prine and Neil Young; the roots and Americana spirit of The Band; and the raw, independent alternative rock and country vibes of Wilco, Son Volt,  Watchhouse and Nathaniel Rateliff.  Rather than fitting neatly into a single genre, Brown draws from those traditions to create music that feels lived-in, spontaneous and distinctly his own.

Whether performing alone in an intimate listening room or collaborating with other musicians in the studio, Mike Brown approaches music as a storyteller first—combining the honesty of folk, the grit of Americana, the soul of roots music and the restless energy of rock & roll into songs that sound less like performances and more like stories being lived in real time..

That collaborative spirit is captured on Brown’s ambitious debut album, American Hotel. Recorded by Brown across all 50 states over eight years, the project brought together an extraordinary cast of 75 guest musicians, including members of The Band, Los Lobos, Wilco, The Jayhawks, Television, Nine Inch Nails, The Wallflowers, Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Matchbox Twenty, Soul Asylum, Whiskeytown, Morphine, Belle and Sebastian, 10,000 Maniacs and many others.

Brown’s work has also earned recognition from the Recording Academy. In 2014, Automatic Music Can Be Fun, his collaboration with childhood friend Zac DeCamp, received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Recording Package at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Brown, DeCamp, Brian Grunert and Annie Stoll were nominated alongside projects from artists including David Bowie, Jay-Z and Metallica.

Beyond performing and songwriting, Brown is an accomplished producer, engineer and studio owner. He founded Temperamental Recordings, transforming a former Methodist church built in 1828 into a recording studio and creative space, and has produced a wide range of artists including David Knoffler  (also toured as part of David’s band)..  Brown is also a curator of vintage music instruments and recording equipment. He was featured on the History Channel’s American Pickers, where he appeared as an expert curator and appraiser.

A true road warrior, if he is not recording or producing, he is on the road playing gigs. Most recently, Mike completed a tour of the Mid-West earlier this Summer.  Mike will be touring the North East in the Fall and South next Spring. Mike joined fellow musicians including Cris Jacobs for a Benefit for the Homeless- Pre-Party to Billy Strings on August1st, and frequently plays throughout the Catskills area. .