Steeped in the grit and soul of American blues and rock music, Mike’s music blends a wide array of influences ranging from Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green, and Paul Rodgers to Hans Zimmer, and Rachmaninov.

Beginning on piano at age 7, and then adding guitar at age 16, Mike has been playing music live and composing for 25+ years.  He studied under Dr. Robert Miller at East Stroudsburg University, where he performed multiple original solo compositions for piano at ESU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center.  After college he cut his teeth living and playing music in New York City for over a decade.  He toured and played with multiple bands including his rock band, Mother, Vagus Nerve, Militia Vox, Mach 22, and his pysch-blues band GSM Trio.  Mike recorded and released the Mother albums “Dissonant Young”, “A New Life”, and a single with Philly legendary producer, David Ivory, called “Medicine”, as well as, the Vagus Nerve EP “Visceral”.  Mike has composed music scores for media clients including: IBM, WIRED, Conde’ Nast, MillerKnoll, C3Ai, Okta, and GodfreyDadich Partners. 

Relocating to Nashville in 2020, Mike hit the ground running playing and recording under his artist name “Mike Gowen Jr”.  A fresh start but not a departure from his roots and love for blues and rock music.  In 2022 he released 2 singles that were recorded at Bauhaus Studio in East Nashville with long time Hit Factory engineer and producer, Frank Wolf.  “No Love”, a fiery blues rocker showcasing his guitar and vocal chops along with compositional prowess that’s against the grain for the genre.  Secondly, he cut a reimagining of the Freddie King classic, “Same Old Blues”.  A blues ballad that’s akin to grunge blues and completely authentic to himself.  “Same Old Blues” put his vocal front and center, singing with the passion and authenticity of the blues greats that influenced him and cemented the track as a fan favorite.  In 2023, Mike recorded and released the EP, “Live at The Amber Sound”, a mix of high energy blues-rock, and soulful down-tempo roots tracks, which were cut completely live, in-studio with his band.  The notable track “On The Run” is a high energy, hooky, riff laden rocker, with compositional twists and turns keeping you on your toes and grooving start to finish.  It’s been a staple in his set ever since its release and frequently requested.  Mike’s most recent EP release, “I’ve Been Running” includes the solo acoustic instrumental “Tennessee Rain” and the beautiful blues/roots ballad bearing the EP’s name.  Both are reminiscent of the organic honesty of traditional blues and classic rock, with introspective lyrical weight and creative composing.  Also another fan favorite track, it shows Mike’s growth and diversity as a songwriter and composer.  “I’ve Been Running” was recorded and co-produced with one of Nashville’s best, Mike Fahey at Starbird Studio. 

Mike continues to make waves in Nashville earning monthly residencies at Star Rover Sound and Assembly Hall, as well as, performing regularly at different venues around town including, The 5 Spot, The Underdog, and Vinyl Lounge to name a few. He’s currently in preproduction for a new EP that will be released later this year.  

Mike’s sound fuses blues-rooted emotion with the power and edge of classic rock. Every track feels live, and organic, with blue-collar honesty and authenticity earned from a lifetime of playing and living it.  The sound is familiar yet fresh and all his own.