M. Walker (Michael Ryan Walker)

M. Walker (Michael Ryan Walker) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, building science consultant, and writer based in Austin, Texas. His music blends elements of classical, electronic, and American primitivist styles.

He is also the producer of The Building Science Podcast and a co-founder of a hot/humid climate focused Passive House conference called The Humid Climate Conference.

Born: January 8, 1988, in Amarillo, Texas

Biography

Michael Ryan Walker's early years were spent on the expansive Texas high plains, where he gained valuable life experience by working alongside cowboys and mastering the art of fence mending. His pursuit of higher education led him to Texas State University, renowned for its research programs. At the university, he explored a wide range of subjects, including English, Archaeology, Philosophy, and Art, reflecting his diverse interests and intellectual curiosity.

Throughout his career, M. Walker has ventured into various industries, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability. His professional journey has encompassed roles in a robotics laboratory, the tech industry, the music industry, and his current focus on building science. Notably, he has helped organizations develop multi-market presences, including international operations.

Currently, M. Walker serves as a principal at Positive Energy, a national building science and MEP engineering company. Additionally, he is the co-creator and producer of "The Building Science Podcast," a platform that disseminates knowledge and insights in the field of building science.

His dedication to environmental sustainability is evident through his involvement in several organizations. He co-founded The Humid Climate Conference and is a board member of the Austin chapter of Passive House Alliance U.S. Furthermore, he has served as a chair of the AIA Austin Committee On The Environment and as a board member of the Texas Society of Architects Sustainability Task Force. M. Walker is also one of the co-founders of The Building Science Philosophical Society. He has been a guest speaker at various conferences, including the Passive House Northwest Conference, The AIA Austin Design Excellence Conference, and The ATX Building Performance Conference. His knowledge-sharing initiatives have also reached academic departments at institutions such as Yale University, The University of Rhode Island, The University of Texas, Texas Tech University, and his alma mater, Texas State University.

Roles and Accomplishments

M. Walker is a multi-talented individual, with notable roles and accomplishments in various domains:

Building Science Consultant: He is actively engaged in the building science field, contributing his expertise and knowledge to organizations and initiatives that promote sustainability and energy efficiency in construction.
Musician and Singer/Songwriter: M. Walker's musical journey includes founding the progressive rock group, The Fotoelectric Effect, and contributing to the indie rock group, Ghostbunny. Since 2015, he has pursued a solo career under the moniker M. Walker, releasing several albums and singles.
Composer: His musical compositions, such as "Canyon, Illuminant," reflect his creativity and storytelling abilities.
Visual Artist and Ikebana Artist: M. Walker's artistic talents extend to visual arts and Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.
Writer: His publications are featured in various magazines and journals.

Selected Publications

M. Walker's literary and art publications include:

A poem published in Petrichor Journal, ISSN 2639-1457
Notable contributions to Velvet Dust Magazine, including "Elements" (2015), "Paracosm" (2014), and "Sport" (2014).
A feature in Persona Literary Magazine (2010, print).
Contributions to "Notes From The Field, Project Coyote," including "Red River War" (2023) and "Artists For Wild Nature" (2022).
Articles in The Journal of Light Construction, such as "Ductwork For a Retrofit ERV" (2023) and "Hot and Humid Addressed Head-On" (2022).
Valuable content for Positive Energy, including "What Does ChatGPT Know About Building Science" (2023) and "Building Science: A Vision For The Future" (2021).

Musical Career

As a musician, M. Walker has played significant roles in various musical projects:

The Fotoelectric Effect: Founding band member, contributing to albums like "Years (Redux)" (2022).
Ghostbunny: Former band member, participating in the album "Silver Tongue" (2015).
Solo Career as M. Walker: Since 2015, he has embarked on a solo career, releasing albums and singles that include "Bend | Single" (2023), "Red River War" (2023), and "Swanky Hotel Music" (2018).

Discography

M. Walker's discography:

Burn | Single, M. Walker (2024)
Peaches | Single, M. Walker (2024)
The Onion In Winter’s Garden, M. Walker (2024)
Bend | Single, featuring Reilly Downes M. Walker (2023)
Red River War, M. Walker (2023)
Canyon, Illuminant, M. Walker (2022)
Years (Redux), The Fotoelectric Effect (2022)
Swanky Hotel Music, M. Walker (2018)
Silver Tongue, Ghostbunny (2015)

Quotes

M. Walker's music and storytelling have garnered praise from notable figures:

"Two decades ago a composer from Back East wrote a symphony about Palo Duro Canyon after reading one of my books. I like Michael Walker’s 'Canyon, Illuminant' even more. Walker’s connections to West Texas are more intimate and authentic. And recreating the sounds of pronghorn vocalizations musically is sheer genius." — Dan Flores, Author of Caprock Canyonlands and Coyote America.
"His music is masterful storytelling that is able to deliver us into a dreamlike realm of creative connection with animals and our earth. Paired with his sophisticated and factual writing — that still manages to evoke an aspirational love of nature — this intersection of musical storytelling and conservation is immensely powerful." — Camilla H. Fox, MA, Founder & Executive Director of Project Coyote.

M. Walker's life and work embody the spirit of creativity, innovation, and a deep connection to his Texan heritage, making him a prominent figure in the diverse cultural landscape of Texas and beyond.