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  • Mike Zimmermann headshot in a casual settingMike Zimmermann performing live at Greenwood bar

    Upcoming events

    April 23 T.O. Lounge
    Feature Act
    8pm 1384 Queen St W
    Roncesvalles, Toronto
    May 4 Common Good Brewery
    Live Music
    2-5pm 475 Ellesmere Rd
    Scarborough
    May 12 Black Pony Cafe
    Open Mic host
    8-10pm
    7pm signup
    1481 Gerrard Street East
    Little India/Leslieville, Toronto
    May 20 Supermarket
    Kensington Unplugged Writers' Round
    10pm 268 Augusta Ave
    Kensington, Toronto
    May 22 The Greenwood Cafe
    Live in Leslieville: Stories & Songs

    Tickets on sale now!
    7pm 1374 Queen St E
    Leslieville, Toronto
    May 26 Black Pony Cafe
    Open Mic host
    8-10pm
    7pm signup
    1481 Gerrard Street East
    Little India/Leslieville, Toronto
    June 5 Fox & Fiddle
    Feature Act: Daisy Wine w/ MZ on bass
    7pm 535 Danforth
    Toronto
    June 9 Black Pony Cafe
    Open Mic host
    8-10pm
    7pm signup
    1481 Gerrard Street East
    Little India/Leslieville, Toronto
    June 23 Black Pony Cafe
    Open Mic host (Every two weeks)
    8-10pm
    7pm signup
    1481 Gerrard Street East
    Little India/Leslieville, Toronto
    July 3 The Greenwood Cafe
    Daisy Wine w/ MZ on bass - Tickets on sale now!
    7pm 1374 Queen St E
    Leslieville, Toronto
    July 7 Black Pony Cafe
    Open Mic host
    8-10pm
    7pm signup
    1481 Gerrard Street East
    Little India/Leslieville, Toronto
    July 21 Black Pony Cafe
    Open Mic host
    8-10pm
    7pm signup
    1481 Gerrard Street East
    Little India/Leslieville, Toronto
    August 6 Duke's Refresher
    Paper Triangle - Free Live music
    7-9pm 709 Queen Street East
    Riverside, Toronto
    September 27 Brunswick Bierworks
    Paper Triangle - Free Live music
    3-6pm 25 Curity Ave
    East York, Toronto
    October 4 Private Event
    Evening Private Event
    Toronto
    November 26 The Dive Shop
    Celebrate the 90s - Late night Feature Act
    10pm 1036 Gerrard Street East
    Riverside, Toronto
  • Monday Open Mic
  • Paper Triangle
  • Friday Open Mic
  • Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

    Short Bio

    Mike Z (@firesideghosts) writes and performs unique acoustic sets fusing '80s new wave nostalgia and '90s indie energy.

    He calls it Acoustic Post-Wave.

    A seasoned performer with deep Toronto roots, Mike brings an emotional and introspective energy to every stage, reimagining classics and sharing original songs that explore roads not taken, moments missed, and connections overlooked.

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    Full Bio

    Mike Zimmermann (@firesideghosts) is an independent acoustic artist with a sound best described as a fusion of '80s new wave nostalgia, '90s indie energy, and modern shoegaze atmospherics. A founding member of an indie alternative band in the grunge era, he took a long hiatus from writing and performing before recently rediscovering his voice in the raw, vulnerable world of solo acoustic music.

    He calls it Acoustic Post-Wave.

    With a history of performing at some of Toronto's most iconic venues—including The Rivoli, The Horseshoe, The Opera House, The El Mocambo, and Lee's Palace—Mike has returned to the stage with a renewed artistic vision. He also continues to foster the local music scene through numerous collaborations, and by running open mics and songwriter panels that connect and support indie artists.

    His songwriting is deeply narrative, exploring themes of reflection, affection, and rue—the roads not taken, the moments overlooked, and the emotions that linger in between. His performances are both intimate and expansive, stripping down '80s and alternative classics and originals to their barest essence.

    Original Music

    Acoustic Performances
    “What I Need” (Kensington Unplugged @ Supermarket)
    “What I Need" (with a sneeze and smile @ The Greenwood Cafe)
    “Stay Here Another Day”

    Studio Recordings: Original songs
    “Miss You”
    “Maybe”

    Cover performances

    "You can't get cheesier than that!"
    “Sunglasses At Night”

    “You make John Prine sound like Slowdive”
    "Sam Stone"

    Sample Covers Setlist

    Gear

    I am completely self-sufficient (instruments, mics, stands, PA for medium and small venues) and have a compact off-grid setup that can run on batteries for at least 5 hours if needed.

    Contact Information

    Email:

    Social Media: instagram.com/firesideghosts

    Website: firesideghosts.com