A Q&A with Mike O'Hehir of Coyote Island
Mike is someone who I consider a ‘soul brother’. We grew up in the same hometown but first met in NYC when we played Pete’s Candy Store together in Williamsburg! He is incredibly talented and someone who music truly speaks and flows through; an artist to the bone. Mike and I always find ourselves in deep conversations around self-discovery, the cosmos, and healing which is especially why I wanted to interview him. I love the way in which he perceives our world, and the curiosity and intention he brings to every project he dives into.
Helen: How do you like to start your days off? Do you have any morning rituals?
Mike: Lately I’ve been waking up with the sunrise. I turn the kettle on for tea and do a few minutes of stretching and breathing while the water boils. Then, I take my tea to the yard and sit facing the sun. My phone is still inside and even though I want to check it, I save that for in about 15 minutes. I listen to the birds and the wind and see what thoughts arise. I let them go and some more show up. I let those go too and allow the first rays of sunlight to quiet my already busy mind. Then I smoke a spliff and read a page or two from whatever book I’m drawn to at the moment ;)
Helen: Why do you think music spoke to you from the beginning?
Mike: I’ve held a pretty steady belief that music spoke to me so that I could find my own true expression and share that with the world. It was also clearly about vibration; the ability (and need) for healing on this planet and how much of a vehicle music can be for that.
Helen: What does your songwriting process look like?
Mike: Usually I start writing something and forget about it. If it’s a great song, I pick it back up and finish the verses, and sometimes that's five years later! When something isn’t naturally resolving it just needs time. It’s kind of a trip, to finally finish a story you started to tell so long ago…. and it always develops deeper meaning as a result. You hear your own words in a new way because you’re older. When I’m really in the zone though, the songs just come out in one take without a pen and paper.
Helen: What have you learned about yourself particularly over the last six months?
Mike: Damn. This is a crazy six months we are talking about! Since Covid hit, there has been so much deep reflection and shadow work in my life. I’ve learned to accept and truly love myself - flaws and all. I’ve learned that no matter how much I think I’ve got it figured out, life is full of surprises and the learning and growing just keeps going infinitely. I’ve come to understand what keeps me in balance and gained the awareness to honor and sustain that. I’ve learned that I was misusing psychedelic plant medicines and was chasing a high. I’ve learned that the highest I can get is actually in the seat of my soul, with my heart and mind open. (For the record I still love and respect psychedelics but am not using them for the foreseeable future).
Helen: What inspires you?
Mike: I’m inspired by nature. Whenever I walk in the woods or go to the ocean, I come home with all kinds of creative energy. I’m also inspired by community. To see genuine human connection really gets me buzzing.
Helen: How has music helped to 'heal' you?
Mike: I believe in at least two ways. One being that sound is vibration, and when you pair intention with vibration, it becomes a real force. Sound then has the potential to heal us on a cellular level. When I realized this at a young age, I felt the effects within myself and knew the power of music for the world. This is why artists such as Bob Marley and The Beatles became such icons. It wasn’t just the catchy songs and the image…it had a real energetic charge behind it, that even outlives the artist. Two: Music is my (the?) purest form of expression. It channels my true nature and taps a stream of consciousness. Accessing that place within, through music, has been very healing and transformative.
Helen: What are you working through right now mentally, emotionally?
Mike: Damn that’s loaded. I’ve been working really hard on my new project which just debuted this summer. It’s been liberating to release something I’ve wanted to do for so many years. I’m experiencing a strong paradox right now. So much light and creativity, and simultaneously so much darkness and tension. This goes for the world right now, and for my personal life. It’s hard when you have a big heart and you're stubborn. I’m working on acceptance, of myself and others. That’s easy when everything is cool… but what about when it’s not? Acceptance of all is not some selective thing where you choose what’s good and bad. The choice comes after. I can accept someone and not have them in my life right now. That’s still acceptance. “Working through” was great wording for the question because I’m not there yet ;)
Helen: What keeps you motivated?
Mike: My partner, Britt. Creating structure and knowing what needs to be done each day!
Helen: Any other wisdom you'd like to share?
Mike: If it resonates with you, look into animal wisdom. Coyote, "the holy trickster” is particularly on point for these current times of uncertainty. Find what brings you joy, turn off the news. Keep up with Helen!
Sending love your way! You can click HERE to listen to Mike’s music on Spotify under Coyote Island and HERE to follow him on IG! The song ‘Here Before’ is my personal favorite.
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