Composer Songwriter Professor
Michael James Olson is a musical creative whose work is as eclectic as his wardrobe. From writing orchestral pieces for the concert hall to singsong pop melodies, ambient or electronic music, Michael’s work is ever evolving to new places with new collaborators.
Based in Minnesota, Michael has toured extensively throughout the US and Europe. His work has received press in publications such as the Dallas Morning News, Fanfare, MPR, and Music Street Journal. His music and production can be heard on more than 40 albums, and has been licensed to dozens of tv programs on networks such as MTV, E, ABC, Showtime, TLC, FOX, Animal Planet, VH1, Spike, PBS, and more. His concert music has received nearly 200 performances in the US and throughout the world including Denmark, Germany, UK, Ireland, Italy, Argentina, India, and Spain, among others. You can find his music on all major streaming platforms.
Michael is an artist and performer who uses electronic music, video, guitar, and tibetan singing bowls to create lush ambient landscapes. Michael’s work draws heavily on life in the upper Midwest: open spaces, grey skies, beautiful lakes, and dramatic seasons. Michael’s first solo album, “What Comes After,” fuses these narrative elements with reverb-laden guitar loops, e-bow, electronic processing, ambient beats, and video to create a vibrant abstract terrain.
His current projects include co-creator and songwriter for “True Believer: The Musical” which has received workshop performances in the midwest, an album of ambient meditations for tibetan bowls, and an Art-Pop Album collaboration which will be released in 2024.
Michael Holds degrees in Music Industry, Music Technology, and Music Composition and Intermedia Art from Minnesota State, Georgia Southern, and Ball State University. He continues to perform regularly at conferences and festivals, and has lectured at universities throughout the U.S. on subjects such as creativity, entrepreneurship, and making your way in the music industry. He currently serves as Director of Music Industry and Technology at Minnesota State University.
From performance to production, and education to collaboration, Michael is always interested in new projects. You can reach him at m(at)michaeljamesolson.com
Music and MEdia
New Album “12 Melodies” Available Now!
Listen to Ambient Music and Watch Live Performances.
Collaborations and Concert Works
Watch and Listen to Concert Music Here.
Songwriting and Production
listen to works spanning multi genres.
A New Grunge Pop Satire of 90’s Evangelical Youth Culture
the meteoric rise of Pastor Heather Davidson and her family is put to the test in this high energy musical satire by co-creators Sarah Asp Olson and Michael James Olson.
Open Scores
