About
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.
"We Wonder", his first studio album, 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 album was recognized on the Folk Radio DJ Charts for March and April of 2021.Last year, Mike received four more Detroit Music Award nominations and one finalist for Americana Songwriter.
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).
Mike performs various venues throughout Michigan and beyond.
And festivals such as Arts, Eats & Beats, Wheatland 2020 & 21, Traverse City Film Fest, Thumbfest, Port Austin & Ferndale Front Porch, Hamtramck Music Festival, Detroit Folk Festival and FARM Performance Alley 2019.
He has also been featured on Jon Stein's Hootenenny Cafe Singer Songwriter Showcase, Charlie Mosbrook's Open Mic Showcase, Ron Olesko's Folk Music Notebook Shelter in Place Showcase, WYCE Local Spins, The Detroit Songwriter Dispatch, The Happeneers 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 and has more to come.