Michael Hughes Watson
GenrePop, Indie pop, Lofi pop, Contemporary Christian
Years active2018-present
LabelIndependent
Current member ofLag Season
Past member ofAbove the Golden State

Michael Hughes Watson is a Christian pop music artist from Portland, Oregon.[1] He is the lead vocalist of the Christian indie rock band Above the Golden State, active from 2007-2014,[1] and one half of the indie folk duo Lag Season. In addition to being a music artist, he is also a pastor.[2]

Career

Watson released his debut extended play, Here, on January 26, 2018.[3] It was preceded by another extended play, Wait, released May 17, 2019,[1] which was followed by the albums Life & Good | Death & Evil on November 20, 2020.[4] On November 27, 2020, he released an extended play titled the Dayspring EP. It included three traditional Christmas hymns and one original song, "Smoke in the Wind".[5] It was followed by Feeling on April 9, 2021.[6]

Since 2024, Watson has been one half of the indie folk duo Lag Season, in collaboration and co-production with Micah Bartel. They released several singles that year, including "Danny Boy", "Graves into Gardens", and "Surrendered". On August 30, 2024, they released an extended play, Preseason. On March 28, 2025, Lag Seasons released their second extended play, Contending.

Discography

As Michael Hughes Watson

Studio albums

TitleDetails
Life & Good | Death & Evil
  • Released: November 20, 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Feeling
  • Released: April 9, 2021
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Here
  • Released: January 26, 2018
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Wait
  • Released: May 17, 2019
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Purify My Heart 2
  • Released: March 20, 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Dayspring
  • Released: November 27, 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

TitleYearDetailsAlbum
"Smoke in the Wind"2019
  • Released: January 1, 2019
  • Written by Michael Hughes Watson
Dayspring EP
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
"O for a Thousand Tongues"2020
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As Lag Season

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Preseason
  • Released: August 30, 2024
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Contending
(with Barely Tall)
  • Released: March 28, 2025
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

TitleYearDetailsAlbum
"Danny Boy"2024
  • Released: March 15, 2024
  • Written by Michael Hughes Watson
rowspan="3"
"Graves Into Gardens"
"Surrendered"
  • Released: April 12, 2024
  • Written by Micah Bartel
"Silence Our Enemy"
  • Released: July 19, 2024
  • Written by Michael Hughes Watson
  • Produced by Micah Bartel
Preseason
"The Pain in Healing (Look to You)"
  • Released: September 13, 2024
  • Written by Michael Hughes Watson
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ Cluver, Ross (2019-04-04). "Worship Leader Michael Hughes Watson 'Wait' EP Due in May". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  2. ^ "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Michael Hughes Watson Interview, Michael Hughes Watson 2019". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  3. ^ "Here by Michael Hughes Watson | MultiTracks.com". www.multitracks.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  4. ^ "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Michael Hughes Watson, "Life & Good Death & Evil " Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  5. ^ "Dayspring - EP by Michael Hughes Watson - Album". Loop Community. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  6. ^ "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Michael Hughes Watson, "Feeling" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.