About

Michael Simms is an Australian solo artist and producer whose work drifts between the cinematic and the intimate, weaving together contemporary classical elements, ambient electronics, and the atmospheric pull of downtempo and art‑rock. Based in Toowoomba, his music has steadily evolved across a series of instrumental releases that trace a path from reflective piano‑led compositions to expansive electronic soundscapes — and now, into a bold new chapter as a singer/songwriter.

Michael Simms began releasing music for his solo project in 2018 with his debut single “August”, a piano‑driven piece that introduced his instinct for melody, space, and emotional clarity. The track later appeared on the Cold Rain EP (2019), a collection that blended ambient textures with contemporary rhythm sections, strings, and spacious electronic undercurrents. Early comparisons to artists such as Vangelis, Yanni, Alexis Ffrench, and Brian Eno reflected the EP’s fusion of classical sensibilities and modern production.

During the early months of the COVID‑19 pandemic, Michael continued to refine his instrumental work. In 2020, he released the single “Time Gone By”, which expanded on his orchestral‑contemporary palette, followed by the solo piano piece “Willow Avenue” (2021). These works deepened his interest in crafting music that feels both cinematic and personal.

In 2022, Simms ventured into new territory with “Beyond Earth”, his first foray into “space music.” Initially inspired by the visuals of the 2000 science fiction film, Mission to Mars, the track explored a “Vangelis meets Kraftwerk” aesthetic, merging downtempo minimalist electronica with sweeping string arrangements. It marked a turning point in his catalogue, revealing a growing fascination with atmospheric storytelling and electronic‑classical hybrids.

By early 2023, Simms set his sights on bringing his music to the stage. He began forming the Michael Simms Trio with drummer Vincent Perry and bassist Matthew Simms, though the project paused when Perry relocated interstate. Instead of abandoning the idea, the trio embraced the COVID era’s rise of remote collaboration, producing a series of virtual live performances that became the Separate Spaces EP. Released as both a YouTube video and digital audio project, it featured live renditions of “August”, “Time Gone By”, “Beyond Earth”, and “Horizon”, capturing the energy of a band performing together across distance.

A new stylistic shift arrived in 2024 with the single “Canopy”, where Simms leaned into the warm, hypnotic world of 90s downtempo, trip‑hop, and chill‑out electronica. Sharing genre characteristics with artists such as Moby, Morcheeba and French electronic duo, Air, the nature-inspired track introduced a more groove‑driven, atmospheric side of his artistry. “Canopy” later appeared on the Surroundings EP (2025), which found a strong home on Australian radio. The EP received regular rotation on SBS Chill, with “Canopy” placing in the station’s Chillest 100 in both 2025 and 2026. Additional tracks — including “Echo River” and “Moonlight City” — also charted in the 2026 countdown, marking a significant milestone in Simms’ growing national presence.

Now, with his forthcoming single “Motions”, Michael Simms steps into a new phase of his creative life — one where he takes to the microphone for the first time in his solo career in a lead vocalist capacity. The track blends ethereal neo‑psychedelic, art-rock and dream‑pop styles with the layered textures that have defined his instrumental work, echoing influences such as Pink Floyd/David Gilmour, Silverchair, The Dissociatives, Engineers and the sleek elegance of Air. It represents not a departure from his past, but an expansion of it: a natural evolution toward a more expressive, personal, and emotionally direct form of musical artistry.

Across every chapter of his solo career to date, Michael Simms has remained committed to crafting music that feels immersive and transportive — a world built from melody, atmosphere, and imagination. “Motions” marks the beginning of his next frontier, one where voice and vision finally meet.