Michellar’s “LOVE PEACE WAR” is the Acoustic Hug the world needs right now. This song is a quiet reflection on the state of Humanity. This acoustic remix is the first single from her upcoming EP, Homegrown, set for release in late Summer. The project is deeply rooted in the Bay Area and inspired by the free-spirited energy of the 1960s Haight-Ashbury era. With this release, Michellar continues to create timeless music very much connected to today’s world.
Sometimes, the best art comes from a place of deep sadness and confusion. Michellar penned down this song while she was watching the news during the start of the Ukraine war and just like many of us, she felt overwhelmed by the hate and greed in the world. Instead of feeling helpless, she sat in her bedroom and poured those feelings into her notebook.
Inspired by the likes of John Lennon and Bob Dylan, Michellar wanted to explore the uncommon balance we all deal with: the fact that humans can be so cruel to one another yet we also have the incredible power to love and fix things. To her, Hope is the only thing keeping us from sinking. She thought about the greed, indifference, hate, and abuse that seem so present in the world. At the same time, she also thought about the good in people and how love and hope can exist alongside darkness. The song explores these opposite sides of human nature.
A quote that guided her mindset during this time comes from the poet Rumi: “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.” That idea — that hope can grow even from destruction — is at the center of this song.
One thing I love so much about this track is the Lo-fi vibe. Michellar and her producer, Robi Bean, went into his studio in El Cerrito, California with a specific goal; to make the music as raw as it could be. They didn’t fancy the loud drums, they just wanted it to feel like the 1960s, reminiscent of the protest songs you’ll hear echoing through the streets of San Francisco decades ago.
The track starts with soft, steady acoustic guitar. There are no heavy beats or dramatic production effects. The simplicity gives space for the lyrics to stand out.
When She sings about the violence of war and the loss of innocent lives, her voice is calm but full of feeling. As she moves into the chorus — “Love is all that we need, we need to find peace” — her voice becomes lighter and more emotional, almost like a quiet prayer. The repeated line feels intentional, like a reminder she wants listeners to hold onto.
Because the production is minimal, every word matters. Every pause feels meaningful. You can almost imagine being in the studio with her, hearing the natural sound of the room as she sings. There’s a certain pacing to the song, a way the guitar slows down or speeds up with her voice that you can only get when an artist and producer are vibing in the same space.
LOVE PEACE WAR stands out because it chooses softness as it’s strength. In a world that’s constantly screaming, Michellar whispers something important. She reminds us that where there is ruin, there’s hope for a Treasure.
Keep an ear for her full EP, Homegrown this summer. It’s going to feature five acoustic tracks that you’re absoluetly going to love. I, for one, can’t wait to hear the rest of this musical journey. With “LOVE PEACE WAR – Acoustic Remix,” Michellar is not just releasing music — she is starting a conversation. And if Homegrown continues in this direction, it may mark the rise of an important new voice in modern folk music — one that honors the past while bravely facing the present.
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