Michael Blakey

We all just wanna smile and have a good time in life, don't we? My duty on this planet is to make people feel good, smile, and laugh through music.

I am a multi instrumentalist, one man band, singing song-writing, joke telling machine. I have traveled far and wide from Romania to the forests of the Adirondacks, but my mission remains the same: to make people smile. My original music can be compared to Guster, Michael Franti, Old Crow Medicine Show, Ray Lamontagne, Nathaniel Rateliff, and more

I blend my inspirations of classic rock with folk and bluegrass. My strumming patterns and delivery unexpectedly treat audiences to unique upbeat versions of their favorites, leaving them eager to hear my originals. My stage show is stripped down but danceable and upbeat with stories and audience engagement that keeps everyone smiling and singing along. I play my acoustic guitar which doubles as a drum. I also add in harmonica.

Rock on and looking forward to brightening your day.

In 2012, Michael took a leap of faith and left St. Louis, MO behind, setting out on an adventure that would take him to every corner of America and across 13 countries. He started what would become a voyage of self-discovery and artistic evolution. With each new place, he collected stories, savored new food, made new friends, and gathered life lessons, all while stepping out of his comfort zone. These experiences have been channeled into his most recent album, New Perspective.

New Perspective promises a tour through musical landscapes, blending energetic rock, Jack White–inspired riffs, and soul-soothing melodies that nod to the likes of John Moreland. It's an album charged with a zest for life, urging us to stay positive even when times get tough, and serving as a reminder of the shared ride we're on in this whirlwind called life. If this album's essence could be crystallized into a single concept, empathy would be its cornerstone. New Perspective is a testament to how a little understanding and kindness can’t just change a day—but can transform the world.

Michael's musical journey began with a black Danelectro guitar that his dad gave him when he was 14. The early days were filled with the excitement of creating music with all his friends around bonfires, parties, and road trips. Growing up, he listened to so much music. Some of his favorites were O.A.R., Incubus, Sum 41, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Reel Big Fish, and of course the bedrock of classic rock and blues instilled in him by his father, John Blakey.

After high school, college brought a whirlwind of concerts, late-night jam sessions, and more road trips. During these years Michael discovered jam bands and bluegrass: Phish, Moe., Yonder Mountain String Band, and many more. Michael played with several bands in college. The music was much better than the names—Backdoor Dorsey, The High Street Nephews, and the band who played only one show (maybe two), Men With Hats—what a clever name, right?! After graduating, Michael's hunger for adventure and new music brought him to Austin, TX, where he co-founded the rock band Mind At Large with one of his best buds and first musical partners, Bryan Kunkel. Mind At Large created one studio album and went on a year-long duo tour across the western USA. You can hear their album Lost In The Woods on all streaming services.

With every ending, there is a new beginning. When Mind At Large disbanded, Michael found himself with a one-way ticket to Bucharest, Romania. The energy and spirit of living abroad with so much to discover infused the creation of his debut album, Prisoner of Freedom. What he truly discovered during his time in Europe was himself. He played shows all around Romania and even performed at his first festival, Jazz in the Street. After 5 years of traveling, living, performing, and working in Europe, Michael again found himself with a one-way ticket, but this time he was headed back to America—the last place he expected to go.

It was love that brought Michael back to the U.S. He met his now-wife, Lucy Profeta, in Romania in January 2019. Her career brought her to NY and Michael listened to his heart and followed after her. They spent a few years in Nyack, NY, absorbing the Northeast's beauty and calm. Michael played solo shows and had a short stint as a lead singer and rhythm guitar player with the local rock band Mohab. New York allowed Michael to look back on his travels and recognize his personal and artistic growth. With this renewed insight, he began crafting songs for his second full-length album, New Perspective.

In 2024, Michael returned to St. Louis, MO—the place where this whole journey first began 13 years earlier. Back home, he pulled together a six-piece band, Michael Blakey & The Bandits of Time, and before long they were headlining a local stage at 105.7 The Point’s Pointfest and playing shows all across the Midwest.

Now, looking ahead to 2026, Michael is gearing up for another big move—this time to Chapel Hill, NC. Once again, he’s following his heart, joining his wife as she pursues her PhD in Geology at UNC. He couldn’t be more excited to settle back on the East Coast, dive into some solo touring, and keep the energy alive with full-band performances.