Labor Of Love Music
The Official Website Of Raleigh, NC Musician
Mike Williams
Welcome to the Music of Mike Williams!
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. In December 2023, Mike released two compilation albums: A Decade of Rockers and A Decade of Blues and Ballads. The collections span ten years of his original music from 2013 to 2023. Both albums can be purchased on Bandcamp.
Mike plans to release another 10-song album sourced from 17 unreleased demos written by his late stepdaughter. The initiative is expected to take a year to complete with a target date of March 2027, and will be dedicated to her memory and talent. Kate, you are loved and missed. Since February 2013, when Mike released Leaving Dystopia, his catalog of songs has been streamed 8.8 million times on major streaming sites as well as receiving 545,000 listens on Soundcloud and 91,000 plays on Reverbnation.. For a deeper look into Mike's musical journey, check out this engaging interview: From Tom Dooley to Yesteryear: A Lifetime in Music - Q&A with Mike Williams. 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! All of Mike's music is available for listening on Soundcloud, Reverbnation, SoundClick, HearThis.at, YouTube and all major streaming sites. Mike's music can be purchased on Bandcamp and Reverbnation.
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 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. Curated from Mike's previously released catalog, it includes standout tracks like his top-streamed song of 2025, "Wrecking Ball". 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 February 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 can be ordered from Elasticstage (ships from the UK).
If the PayPal donate button is not available in your country, you can still make a donation by purchasing Mike's music at BandCamp.
Mike's music can be purchased on Bandcamp
Yesteryear
(Feb 2026)
11 tracks
Digital: $9+ USD (streaming + download)
Vinyl (12"): Currently available – Elasticstage ($38.90 + shipping)
Love Roller Coaster
(Dec 2025)
8 tracks
Digital: $9+ USD (streaming + download)
Vinyl (12"): Currently available – Elasticstage ($38.90 + shipping)
Mike's music can be purchased on Bandcamp
With the Yesteryear Project now complete and released (February 2026), Mike has turned his focus to two meaningful upcoming albums.
Kate's Tribute Album (Target: March 2027)
Mike is honored to fulfill a promise made to his late stepdaughter, Kate, by bringing her 17 unreleased demos to life as a 10-song album. Before her passing, Kate shared these heartfelt recordings with the intention of collaborating on them. This project, dedicated to her memory and remarkable talent, will respectfully reimagine and produce her songs with care and authenticity. Kate, you are loved and missed. The work is expected to take approximately one year, with a target release in March 2027.
Yesteryear Part 2 (In Development)
Following the success of the first Yesteryear album, plans continue for a second volume of re-recorded archival material from the same 1979–1992 era. This project has been thoughtfully placed on the backburner to prioritize Kate's tribute, but remains an active part of the queue and will move forward in due course.
Updates on both projects will be shared here and on Bandcamp as progress continues.
Mike's music can be purchased on Bandcamp
Compilation Album - Released Dec 2023
Compilation Album - Released Dec 2023
Mike's music can be purchased on Bandcamp
Complete Album - Released May 2023
Complete Album - Released Feb 2018 | Remastered Nov 2023
Complete Album - Released Feb 2013 | Remastered Dec 2022
For a deeper look into Mike's musical journey, check out this engaging interview:
From Tom Dooley to Yesteryear: A Lifetime in Music - Q&A with Mike Williams.
Talking Music and Songwriting
Old-School Music in a Digital Age
Please Support Independent Artists
In 2021 and 2023, Mike brought together independent songwriters and musicians from across the world to create a unique listening experience and to promote the talents of indie artists. Click on the images below to listen to the playlists on Odysee. Enjoy!
2023 Great Indie Artist Playlist
100 Artists • 100 Songs • ~6.5 Hours of Indie Music (Audio)
2021 Great Indie Artist Playlist
70+ Artists • 70+ Songs • ~5 Hours of Indie Music (Audio)
Quick Links
Do you collect vintage Beatle vinyl?
Check out Mike's The Beatles US and UK Labels Quick Reference Guide
All music released by Mike Williams was written by Mike Williams, with the following exceptions: "Working Class Hero" (from the album Leaving Dystopia) — written by John Lennon and published by SONY/ATV SONGS LLC. "Rainy Day" and "Don't Let Go" (from the album No More Gods) — co-written by Mike Williams and B. Williams, and "Vacation In Your Mind" (from the album Yesteryear) — written by Mike Williams, P. Williams, and J. Sufrin.
Although Mike has recorded with a wide variety of guitars over the years, his core setup for the Yesteryear album centered on these favorites: 2021 Heritage H-150 (a versatile solid-body electric with rich, classic tones), 2007 Fender MIM HSS Stratocaster (for bright, articulate leads and rhythms), 2017 Guild Bluesbird (a chambered, lightweight humbucker-equipped axe perfect for bluesy warmth), Guild D-240E acoustic (a dreadnought with solid Sitka spruce top and arched mahogany back for full-bodied strumming and fingerpicking).
On bass, he relies on a Hofner Beatle Bass for that iconic thump and a Squier Jazz Bass for versatile punch. Keys come via a Yamaha P-155 digital piano and Casio CT-X3000 arranger keyboard, adding everything from vintage piano vibes to layered textures.
For studio sessions, Mike keeps things compact and inspiring with the Fender Mustang LT25 (a 25-watt modeling combo packed with presets and effects) paired alongside the classic Fender G-DEC (a fun, feature-loaded practice amp with built-in modeling and accompaniment tools). Guitar tones are shaped mainly through the onboard effect presets of his Tascam 2488neo multitrack recorder and the amps' own modeling capabilities—no heavy external pedals required.
Vocals and acoustic guitar capture happen through his trusted MXL V67 and MXL 770 microphones, delivering warm, detailed results every time.
Mike handles drums and percussion using the Alesis SR-18 and Zoom RT-223. For upcoming tracks, he plans to explore Moises' AI drumming features.
He mixes the tracks directly on the Tascam 2488neo for that hands-on analog feel. Once the mix is solid, he exports the stereo bounce to Audacity for final polish—precise trimming, smooth fades, light compression where needed, and any other subtle edits—before uploading to LANDR for professional AI-assisted mastering that brings the song to release-ready shine.
Although the 2488neo is now discontinued, if yours needs repair Mike highly recommends TAP Electronics in Buena Park, CA — one of the few shops still servicing this model (phone: 714-562-7400). On a personal note, Mike also owns the newer Tascam DP-24SD and DP-32SD models — excellent machines, but they don't quite match the 2488neo's unique workflow. Before scrapping your 2488neo, it's worth giving TAP a call!
Mike's music publisher is TuneCore.
Over the course of several years, Mike collected, built, repaired, and refurbished electric guitars as a passionate hobby. Explore his archived DIY Guitar Talk YouTube channel.