Coming home from an exhausting day of work, Microsoft engineer Mike Wall often found himself listening to music for relaxation, focus and healing. Not only was it a way to relieve stress, but over time it evolved into his true passion. The desire to heal himself and others with sound eventually drove Wall to leave his work and change career paths.

Wall, who currently lives in Kirkland, is now a licensed massage therapist at Bothell Integrated Health, multi-instrumentalist, and composer of healing music. His albums “Passage” and “A Time for Healing” were created with intentions of conveying peace, calm, healing and relaxation.

“Composing, playing and recording is a wild ride,” said Wall. “I create and bask in lush soundscapes, improvise to the sound of the ocean or a dawn chorus, or Zen out to a Tibetan bowl drone.”

Growing up in the ‘70s, Wall was a big fan of the progressive rock music genre. His love for psychedelic guitar tunes plays a big part in his musical choices when it comes to designing sounds.

“I love using electric guitars with classic tones and taming them so they complement the Native American flutes, Tibetan singing bowls and numerous classical and world instruments,” explained Wall. “At a ‘New Age’ trade show, many people were surprised to see and hear singing electric guitar as a part of this peaceful music.”

To stay innovative and inspired at the same time, Wall spends a lot of time traveling and being in nature. Wall and his wife, Pam, often venture into the outdoors to Oregon, California and Hawaii to take photographs and record sounds. Other times, a simple stroll out of the house is more than enough for the couple.

“We are fortunate enough to be in the Pacific Northwest, with its natural diversity, beauty and occasional quiet. … I have found deep peace and healing on the coast, in the rainforests and the alpine meadows [near] our home,” said Wall.

Pam Wall, who also turns to Wall’s music when she is busy at work, was one of the first people to experience this magical healing process.

“Before Mike started creating his music, I don’t think I gave music much thought as an avenue for healing,” she said. “But seeing it work for Mike, myself, and others has really opened my eyes and my heart.”

Wall believes that music has the power to evoke memories and emotions, while also affecting blood pressure, breathing and heart rate. “If I can record and share sounds that help people focus, meditate, relax, or just quiet down and listen, then that’s what I should be doing,” said Wall.

Phil McAdams, a Seattle native who listened to Wall’s music for the first time recently, talked about the experience. “The best word to describe it is ‘soothing.’… I can totally imagine myself being really calm and at ease after listening for a while,” said McAdams.

Wall has produced more than 30 successful nature sounds and New Age compilation projects, which are available on Amazon and iTunes as well as streaming sources like Pandora. He also performs live in the Seattle area.

Hall will be performing at East West Bookshop in Seattle on July 13, as well as trade shows in Denver from June 22-24.

Wall’s biggest pleasure comes from knowing that music may help others find their place of deep healing.

“I believe that positivity ripples out like waves in a pond and contributes to transformation,” said Hall.

Kevin Lee is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.