Charismatic troubadour Michael Simic, known to audiences as Mikelangelo, leads the acclaimed ensemble Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen — a band whose theatrical flair and darkly poetic storytelling have earned them a devoted following across Australia and beyond.
 

Formed from Simic’s deep connection to the stories of European migrants who came to Australia after World War II — including his own father, who worked on the Snowy Mountains Scheme — the group forged a distinctive Euro-Roots sound. Their music blends the flavours of Eastern European folk, cabaret, and American roots traditions, weaving tales of love, death, adventure, and absurdity into something both timeless and defiantly original.

Released in 2005, Journey Through the Land of Shadows stands as perhaps the band’s defining work: a collection of 19 songs that capture the ensemble’s wry humour, musical mastery, and gift for storytelling. Critics have described it as "a thoroughly delightful, unashamedly melancholic, stomp-around-the-room-drunk sort of album... a rare, cherished record that doesn’t come around often" (FasterLouder).

Now, twenty years on, Journey Through the Land of Shadows continues to shimmer with the same mischievous energy and heartfelt humanity that first captivated listeners. It remains a landmark in Australian music — a rich, cinematic journey through the shadows and light of the human experience.

Michael Simic joins Dr Gonzo to introduce the tracks from Journey Through The Land Of Shadows by Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen  on And This One’s Introduced By… 

Please support the artist and check out their bandcamp page HERE