Mike Pope – Songs for People High & Low + Ripening (Ain’t It Strange) [Vinyl or Bundle]

Blind Owl Records proudly presents a double vinyl release from Mike Pope, one of Southern California’s best-kept secrets. Captured in his prime on all-analog tape, these two albums present the dual nature of Pope’s artistry — from intimate folk to explosive rock.

🌿 Songs for People High & Low

A masterful collection that juxtaposes beauty and lonesomeness, recorded with lush instrumentation including violin, banjo, bowed bass, piano, synth, and haunting bluegrass harmonies. Drawing comparisons to Nick Drake, Townes Van Zandt, and Bert Jansch, Pope’s delicate finger-picking and storytelling deliver “absolute folk finesse.”

Tracklist:

1. Mirror

2. Steep Cracked Rocks

3. Teaching To Sow

4. Maryanne

5. Shooting Star

6. St. Augustine

7. My Gods

8. Ain’t It Fine

9. Maryanne (Again)

10. None But The Rain

11. Maryanne (Again and Again)

⚡ Ripening (Ain’t It Strange)

The rock ’n’ roll antithesis to Songs for People High & Low, this album trades ornate folk for gritty poetic punk — Pope’s “Dylan going electric” moment. With nods to Joe Strummer, Neil Young, Talking Heads, and even Mdou Moctar’s psych-rock, this record showcases Pope and his trio firing on all cylinders.

Tracklist:

1. Ain’t It Strange

2. Homonculus

3. I’m Free

4. A Little Bit More

5. Colleen

6. Why Don’t You Love Me (Like You Used To)

7. I Looked High and Low

8. My Spirit Orbits

9. Every Loving Herd Does As It Should

10. I’m Free (Reprise)

11. Homonculus - Ain’t It Strange (Reprise)

Formats Available

• Vinyl LP (Songs for People High & Low)

• Vinyl LP (Ripening [Ain’t It Strange])

• Vinyl Bundle: Both albums together

Praise for Mike Pope

“Absolute folk finesse.” – American Songwriter
“Pope has renewed the ancient folk melody, gave it new life, a second life.” – American Highways
“The contrast between the two albums couldn’t be greater, but it shores up Pope’s daring and defiance.” – American Songwriter
“From The Clash to R.E.M to Nirvana — a new pioneer.” – San Diego Troubadour

Production Credits

• Recorded All-Analog at Audio Design, San Diego, CA

• Produced by Dude Cervantes & Jordan Andreen

• Mastered by Joe Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering

• Artwork by Jon Pucci (Songs for People High & Low) & Will Gaynor (Ripening)

• Pressed at Pirates Press

All sales are final. 

Exceptions will be made for damaged shipments or defective audio Vinyl, CDs, or Cassettes, within 14 days of arrival. Please contact us contact@blindowlrecords.com and send an email with photos/videos of damaged/defective products upon arrival. After 14 days we can no longer accept any returns. 

Exchanges can be made for unworn apparel (we get it - sometimes it’s just not the right fit!) 

Please contact us and we will issue a return address and send the new size within 7 days of receiving the original shipment.