Michelle performs with her husband Luke Johnson in duo Studio8. They co-wrote all Studio8’s singles and all the songs on Studio8’s Moonstruck and Into the New Albums. Both albums reached #5 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart in July 2026 and May 2024 respectively. Michelle and Luke also co-wrote all the songs on Luke’s albums, Goodbye Frankie (2021) and Little Worlds (2022).

Michelle is the author of two novels for young adults, Racing the Moon and Flying through Clouds, and is an emerging playwright. 

Where it all began

Michelle and Luke grew up in Sydney and made a tree change to the Southern Highlands with their young daughter Rebecca and son Ben, born six months later. They lived on a small acreage and, inspired by the laid-back rural lifestyle, they began writing songs together.

They moved to Norfolk Island in 2001, where Michelle wrote the first draft of Racing the Moon. After returning to the Southern Highlands in 2005, she continued writing and studied playwriting. Four of Michelle’s plays were performed at short play festivals in Sydney, Newcastle and Armidale between 2009 and 2012.

In 2014 Michelle’s first novel Racing the Moon was published by Allen & Unwin. In 2017 her second novel Flying through Clouds was independently published and was awarded the SCBWI Spark Award (Older Readers).

Excerpts from Michelle’s play Karma were performed as part of the Storytellers Festival at Kings Cross Theatre in August / September 2019.

Michelle began performing with Luke in duo Studio8 in January 2022.

For the latest news check out Studio8’s website and the blog.