Michael A. Muller’s work inhabits the space where sound shapes consciousness. After two decades as co-founder and multi-instrumentalist of Balmorhea, his solo compositions explore the liminal—where music transcends time, place, and perception.
His latest release, “This Is The Water And This Is The Well,” is a haunting meditation on transcendence, weaving together elements of lullaby and lamentation into a soundscape that explores the mysteries just beyond our perception—between existence and nothingness.
The track’s origins trace back to Muller’s lifelong love of cinema and deep reverence for the work and ethos of David Lynch. In the weeks following Lynch’s passing, Muller immersed himself in rewatching the director’s films, interviews, and Twin Peaks—a daily ritual of remembrance. One afternoon, while casually playing guitar, a familiar motif emerged—an echo of “Laura Palmer’s Theme”—unconsciously surfacing as an instinctive expression of grief and gratitude. From that moment, the composition took shape, flowing naturally as a tribute to the lasting influence of Lynch’s world.
Muller is joined by longtime collaborators on the track: industry veteran CJ Camerieri (Paul Simon, Bon Iver), whose layered flugelhorn, trumpet, and French horn billow above Spencer Zahn’s pizzicato bass, each note punctuating with a restrained yet vital presence. Muller’s guitar serves as the composition's grounding force, subtly guiding its movement through shadow and light.
The release features a cover image by photographer Matthew Genitempo, published by Twin Palms and Trespasser. The image—a landscape or perhaps surrealist fragment—feels both serene and unsettling, echoing the music’s delicate balance between tranquility and collapse.
Lynch’s legacy is indelible, his creative spirit forever etched into the cultural landscape. In his final public broadcast, he left us with a simple yet profound blessing:
“May everyone be happy. May everyone be free of disease. May auspiciousness be seen everywhere. May suffering belong to no one. Peace. Jai Gurudev.”

A percentage of all download proceeds of this track will benefit the David Lynch Foundation.