Blog
Feeling the love for “Nashville Nights”
Studio8 are feeling the love for their new single “Nashville Nights” (released by RTC Records & distributed by MGM Distribution 17 August). Their love song to Nashville has already been put on high rotation on Australian Country Radio, is being featured this week...
STUDIO8’s Moonstruck Album #5 on ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart
STUDIO8's new Moonstruck Album hit #5 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart the week of 20 July 2026! Thanks everyone who has streamed or played Moonstruck (on Vinyl & CD) since its release on 10 July, we are so grateful for your support. And thanks everyone...
STUDIO8’S Moonstruck Album Tour
To celebrate the release of their Moonstruck Album on 10 July 2026, STUDIO8 are doing an Album Tour, kicking off at The Welder's Dog, Tamworth as part of the Hats off to Country Festival. Friday 10 July The Welder’s Dog, Tamworth 6:00pm to 8:00pm Saturday 11 July The...
STUDIO8’s new Moonstruck Album is out on Vinyl
Moonstruck is STUDIO8's first Vinyl Album and it’s out 10 July! Thank you Tamara Cadd for the stunning photography, Dan at JamesMarko for the amazing cover design, our wonderful producer Simon Johnson and all the talented session musos who played on the album as well...
New single and upcoming Album from STUDIO8
Studio8's new single "I Keep Comin' Back" is out now and Studio8's new Album "Moonstruck" (out 10 July) is available now for pre-save. "I Keep Comin' Back" is a feel-good bluegrass song that will hopefully have you coming back for more. Stream it on Spotify, Apple...
Studio8 at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2026
It was our fifth year performing at Tamworth Country Music Festival and we had a ball! We played on Toyota Fanzone Stage, at the Big Golden Guitar, on the JB Hi-Fi Stage, the Atrium Stage and at the Oasis Hotel. We also loved watching some of our favourite Country...
Waitin’ for You – Studio8’s sixth single for 2025 is out now!
Studio8's sixth single for 2025 - Waitin' for You - is out now on Spotify, Apple Music and other music streaming services. Stream now: https://ffm.to/s8-waitinforyou Waitin' for You is a heartfelt country ballad and duet about longing for love and waiting for the love...
STUDIO8 is TICMA National Band / Duo of the Year
So excited that STUDIO8 was awarded National Band / Duo of the Year 2025 at the Tasmanian Independent Country Music Awards held in Launceston on Saturday 15 November. Big thank yous to TICMA, RTC Records, Market the Music, 98.9 Tyga FM and awards sponsor Barratts...
Studio8’s Christmas song “Saddle Up Santa” is out now!
Studio8 love performing a favourite Christmas song every year in holiday season and they thought it was about time they wrote their own, so they did. Their daughter-in-law came up with the title, which was all the inspiration Studio8 needed to write the song. "Saddle...
Studio8’s new single “Think I’m in Love” is out now
Studio8's new rocky love song “Think I’m in Love” is out now on Spotify, Apple Music etc https://ffm.to/thinkiminlove Luke and I had fun writing this song as well as road-testing it at our gigs over the past few months. Recording the song was a labour of love and we...
“Talkin’ ’bout Us” is Studio8’s third single for 2025
"Talkin' 'bout Us" is Studio8's new single and it's out now! Released on 14 July 2025, "Talkin' 'bout Us" is an upbeat Country song that on one level is very personal song, but it also relates to people on a broader level as well. It's about the people and places that...
Studio8’s “Two Lonely Cowboys and a half-done Bottle of Rum” is out now
Studio8's quirky new single "Two Lonely Cowboys and a half-done Bottle of Rum" (released by RTC Records and distributed by MGM) is out now on Spotify, Apple Music and other Music streaming services. A country ballad with a contemporary feel, this song transports you...
Studio8’s new single “Playin’ Country” is out now
Studio8's new original single "Playin' Country" is out now on Spotify, Apple Music and other music streaming platforms. "Playin' Country" is all about Country love. Stream it, add it to your playlists and share with your friends. Studio8 will be releasing four more...
Studio8 at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2025
Studio8 was back in Tamworth for our 4th Tamworth Country Music Festival, and we had a ball! We played seven gigs in five days and the highlights were our gigs on the Toyota Fanzone and JB Hi-Fi Stages, and going to our first Golden Guitar Awards and the inaugural...
Studio8’s Into the New Album Tour 2024
To celebrate the release of their debut album Into the New, Studio8 embarked on their Into the New Album Tour, playing gigs in many regional towns in NSW. The first leg of the tour has been completed with venues in Bowral, Old Bar, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Nemingha,...
Studio8’s Into the New album is #5 on ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart
Never in our wildest dreams would we have thought that Studio8’s Into the New album would be #5 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart one week after it was released by RTC Records. Thank you, Nardia at Rock this Country & RTC Records and Perrin at Market the...
Studio8’s debut album “Into the New” is out now!
Studio8's debut album Into the New is out now on music streaming services and CD. Released by RTC Records on 3 May, the album comprises nine original songs co-written by Luke and Michelle: 1. Back to the Bush 2. My Summer Storm 3. Into the New 4. Never Too Late for...
Studio8’s new single “You Got the Moves” is out now
Happy Release Day to Studio8's new single You Got the Moves, released 22 April by RTC Records. You Got the Moves is an original tribute song that Studio8 wrote about Elvis. We love playing Elvis songs and performing at the Parkes Elvis Festival. We were inspired to...
Studio8’s debut album INTO THE NEW out 3 May 2024
Studio8's debut album INTO THE NEW is being released by RTC Records on 3 May 2024. The Album can be pre-ordered on CD, and pre-added and saved on Spotify and other music streaming services. To celebrate the release, Studio8 has put together a couple of CD Album...
Flying through Clouds is 50% off at the Smashwords eBook sale
It's eBook Week on Smashwords and most ebooks are heavily discounted. Flying through Clouds is 50% off this week only! Grab a bargain, happy reading!
Studio8’s new single “Back to the Bush” launched at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2024
Studio8's new single Back to the Bush, a song inspired by the Tamworth Country Music Festival, was released By RTC Records on 15 January and launched at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2024. Studio8 played six gigs at the Festival, including the Fanzone stage, JB...
Studio8 on the Memphis Stage at Parkes Elvis Festival
Studio8 will be back in Parkes in January, performing at the Parkes Elvis Festival. Catch Studio8 on the Memphis Satellite Stage on Friday 12 January from 12.15pm to 12.45pm. They'll be playing their favourite Elvis hits as well as one of their original songs "You got...
“Sold” wins Judges Award and People’s Choice Award at Crash Test Drama, Bundanoon
My new short play "Sold" was a big hit at Melting Pot Theatre's Crash Test Drama in Bundanoon on 11 November, winning the Judges Award and People's Choice Award. Many thanks to the wonderful actors, Sarah, Caroline, Jock and my husband Luke, who played the four roles...
Studio8’s debut single Red Dirt Rodeo out now
Happy Release Day for Studio8's debut single, Red Dirt Rodeo, now available on all major music streaming services. Thanks Rock this Country & RTC Records! Play Red Dirt Rodeo
Red Dirt Rodeo – Studio8’s new single – Pre Add & Save
Studio8's first single Red Dirt Rodeo is out 6 November 2023. Pre add & save on your music streaming service from 24 October by clicking on this link: Red Dirt Rodeo Pre Add & Save Two more singles Back to the Bush and You Got the Moves, and Studio8's debut...
Studio8 gigs Sept to Dec 2023
We've been busy getting ready for the release of our first single in November. Here's Studio8's gig guide to the end of 2023: 30 Sept Peppers Manor House Country Markets 10.30am to 12.30pm 18 Nov Gerringong Village Markets 9.00am to 10.45am 25 Nov Peppers Manor House...
Studio8 recording new album in Sydney
Just got back from recording our new album "Into the New" at A Sharp Recording Studio in Sydney. Many thanks to Nick, our Sound Engineer / Bass guitarist and to Kristos, our drummer on the album. Over seven days we recorded nine songs, which Nick will be mixing and...
Studio8 at Hats off to Country 2023 Tamworth
Luke and I had a ball performing our latest original songs at Tamworth's mid-year music festival, Hats off to Country. We had six gigs over 3 venues - Oasis Hotel, Tamworth City Bowling Club and the Post Office Hotel - as part of the Tamworth Songwriters Association...
Studio8 gigs for June & July 2023
After an amazing four weeks' travelling around Japan, we've dusted off our instruments and are ready to hit the stage back in Oz. Studio8 will be performing at Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest, in the beautiful Southern Highlands: Saturday 24 June 5pm to 7pm...
Studio8 gigs for April & May 2023
It's great to be performing again with Luke in Studio8. Our gigs for April and May 2023 include: Sat 1 April 5pm to 7pm Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest Sat 15 April 9am to 11am Gerringong Village Market Sat 29 April 5pm to 7pm Peppers Manor...
Our 4-day walk on the Tasman Peninsula
We loved visiting Tasmania again, this time for walks on the Tasman Peninsula. Over the past decade we have bushwalked on the Freycinet Peninsula, Maria Island and the Bay of Fires, all stunningly beautiful landscapes that are very different to each other. The Tasman...
Five gigs in five days
Luke and I had a ball at the Tamworth Country Music Festival where we played four gigs at three venues - The Welder's Dog, Oasis Hotel and Tamworth City Bowling Club. This is our second festival playing as duo Studio8, with Luke on guitar, banjo, ukulele and vocals,...
Tamworth Country Music Festival 2023
Studio8 will be hitting the road next week to perform at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2023. Luke and I have written four new songs that we'll be road-testing as well as playing originals from Luke's two albums - Goodbye Frankie (2020) & Little Worlds (2021)...
CBCA Illawarra Literary Lunch
Had an awesome time at the CBCA Illawarra Literary Lunch at the Fraternity Club in Wollongong yesterday. I was one of 12 authors invited to talk to about 100 primary school kids and their teacher librarians from Illawarra, Sutherland and Southern Highland schools. Sue...
Playwriting talk for Year 12 students
I had the pleasure today of giving a talk on writing short plays to Year 12 students at Grace Christian School in Bunbury WA. The students have the option in the composing section of their upcoming English exam to write a short play on a given theme or issue. We...
Parkes Elvis Festival 2022
Had a ball at our first Elvis Festival in Parkes! The outfits were amazing and everyone looked so happy to be there. Luke and I (performing as Studio8) had three gigs in two days. The highlight was performing eight Elvis hits on the Memphis Stage. Luke sang and played...
Tamworth Country Music Festival 2022
Tamworth Country Music Festival 2022 was a blast! So many amazing performers, so many venues to choose from. Luke (Johnson) was billed to play solo but talked me into joining him. We had five gigs over three days, with Luke singing and playing guitar, banjo and...
Luke Johnson & Studio8 upcoming gigs
Luke and I will be performing on Saturday 19 March at Gerringong Village Markets 9am -11am. Great atmosphere at these seaside markets, hope to see you there! In April, we are very excited to be performing at Tamworth Country Music Festival and Parkes Elvis Festival:...
Little Worlds is live
Luke Johnson's Little Worlds album is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Youtube Music, TikTok, Amazon Music and CD. The album comprises seven songs that we wrote together: Summer Storm, Falling, Little Worlds, Killing Time, Listen, Gift of Life &...
Berrima Vault House – our first gig for 2022
Luke and I played to a full Covid-safe house at the amazing Berrima Vault House last night. Luke sang and played guitar, banjo and ukulele and I played keyboard. We performed all our original songs from the Goodbye Frankie...
Recording Little Worlds album
Luke and I kept busy during the lockdown by refining and recording some of the songs that we co-wrote for his new album, Little Worlds. The songs include: Summer Storm, Falling, Little Worlds, Killing Time, Listen, Gift of Life and Winds of Change, and can best be...
Wings over Illawarra 2021
The air show at Wings over Illawarra on the weekend was spectacular. From fighter jets to vintage biplanes, the manoeuvres and aerobatics were hair-raising. Dozens of aircraft were on display, including a Qantas 747, McDonnell Douglas Hornet, Catalina, DC4, Tiger Moth...
Australian Reading Hour 2021
Australian Reading Hour on Tuesday 14 September is an annual celebration of reading, literacy and books, and I'm proud to be an Australia Reads Ambassador for 2021. There are many free events for children and teens to get involved in: Watch online and read along to...
Our Outback Adventure
We're back home after our outback adventure and getting used to living in a house again. It's amazing how we happily lived in a pop-up camper with basic cooking and sleeping facilities for ten weeks. We set out from the Southern Highlands in early May and headed north...
Album review of Goodbye Frankie in Tamworth Country Music Capital News
Luke and I are chuffed with the album review of Goodbye Frankie in the July / August 2021 issue of Tamworth Country Music Capital News. Jon Wolfe acknowledges Luke’s prowess on the guitar, banjo and ukulele, and his gentleness in delivery. Jon describes our songs as...
Luke Johnson at the Taphouse Moss Vale during April 2021
Luke will be performing at the Taphouse (Southern Highlands Brewing) in Moss Vale every Thursday and Sunday in April: Thursdays 5.30pm to 8.30pm Sundays 3.00pm to 6.00pm Not only will Luke be performing original songs from his new album GOODBYE FRANKIE, he will also...
Luke Johnson’s Goodbye Frankie Album now available
Luke Johnson's Goodbye Frankie Album is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Youtube Music and Amazon Music. Songs include: Goodbye Frankie / Blue Sky / Heart of Australia / Believing / Like the First Time / Shot in the Night / Too Late for Love ...
Luke Johnson’s upcoming gigs
Luke Johnson, singer-songwriter guitarist, will be performing in February and March 2021 at the following venues: Saturday February 6 Exeter Village Market 9.30am to 12 noon, and Hendriks Cognac & Wine in Mittagong from 4pm to 8pm Sunday 14 February Sutton Forest...
Preview of the Goodbye Frankie album
For a sneak preview of Luke Johnson's Goodbye Frankie album on Spotify, click on the following link: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lukejohnson1/goodbye-frankie Enjoy!
Goodbye Frankie album cover reveal
Very excited to reveal the album cover for Goodbye Frankie. The songs on the album are all performed by my husband, Luke Johnson. Luke and I co-wrote the songs, which were recorded, mixed and mastered in the Southern Highlands in 2020. In most of the songs, Luke plays...