Quotes

"It's not often that an artist can tell a story so intricately that listeners feel as if they've taken a ride through the songwriter's mind. Mike Stocksdale does just that. His songs, although similar in style, have such wonderful composition and tone that each one can stand alone to showcase his talent. Similar to the cool country stylings of John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" and folky carefree feel of Paul Simon's "Slip Slidin' Away," Stocksdale is a modern reminder of what good music sounds like in its simplest form."  
-Paula Munoz, Music Connection Magazine

"Mike Stocksdale makes really good folk music. It’s a happy combination of blues, rock, and just enough country to make you kick back and put in a toothpick...it sounds like something you’ve heard before, but that has a sort of rebirth to it."
-Brendon Goldwasser, Groundsounds

Bio

Mike Stocksdale is an artist you've listened to your whole life, or at least it feels that way. There is familiarity in his melodies, and the honest stories he tells hit home. His ability to translate his personal experiences into relatable lyrics is, in a word, captivating. 

Los Angeles native Stocksdale embodies all aspects of true musicianship, with a technical education in guitar from the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA, and a past rich with classic influences including Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and B.B. King. Stocksdale got his start playing lead guitar and writing songs for Three Minute Mile, a band he formed while studying psychology at Indiana University. When the group disbanded, Stocksdale began honing his songwriting and vocal skills, and found new direction as a solo artist. 

He has since forged a reputation for himself in the Southern California independent music scene with thoughtful, well-crafted albums that resonate with a diverse range of audiences. His most recent records have been conversational collections of songs melding together the best parts of folk, rock, blues, and country. Stocksdale teaches music in Culver City, CA, and is currently touring in and around California.

Credits

  • 2nd Place Winner - International Songwriting Competition 2015 (Performance Category)
  • Multiple TV placements on shows such as New Girl, Quantico, Hart of Dixie, and Happy Endings
  • Songs reviewed and/or shared by the following music blogs: HITS in the Sticks, Ear to the Ground, SirChillicious, GroundSounds, Wolf in a Suit, Adobe and Teardrops, Somervalley FM, KOR Radio, Pretty in Noise, Savage Thrills
  • Opened for Cam, Will Hoge, Tinsley Ellis, Eric Gales, Soul of John Black
  • Featured in viral youtube video by Garance Dore and Tiffany’s
  • Semi-Finalist - International Songwriting Competition
  • Semi-Finalist - UK Songwriting Competition
  • #1 New Music Review - Music Connection Magazine
  • Honorable Mention - Unsigned Only Music Competition
  • Daphne’s Restaurant featured artist
  • Top 100 artists - Music Connection Magazine
  • Finalist - Independent Music Awards (Folk/Singer Songwriter Album)
  • Best New Artist Nomination - New Music Awards
  • Finalist - We Are Listening Singer/Songwriter Awards
  • 3rd Place - 11th Annual Unisong International Song Contest (Acoustic/Folk)
  • Honorable Mention - 14th Annual Billboard Song Contest
  • Finalist - We Are Listening Singer/Songwriter Awards