![Wife and husband Michelle Morgan and Luke Johnson have come together to form Studio 8, and will release their first album Into the New as a couple in 2024. Picture supplied Wife and husband Michelle Morgan and Luke Johnson have come together to form Studio 8, and will release their first album Into the New as a couple in 2024. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/123048163/5e24fd07-b660-4f8a-a1d3-2e8e37d1c028.png/r0_0_1200_800_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
When Luke Johnson and Michelle Morgan are inspired to write music, they make their way through their backyard to their cabin studio, which is where all of the magic happens.
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The husband and wife have been writing songs together for more than 30 years, with their very first being about their move to the Highlands from Sydney called Goodbye Frankie, which was on Luke's first solo album.
As their family grew and they worked, writing music slowed down, but picked up once again during the pandemic.
They have officially reunited as a duo and are now known as Studio 8, following Luke's years performing as a soloist releasing two albums, and Michelle joining him on stage in 2022.
Since they have come together, song ideas have flowed.
Their debut single Red Dirt Rodeo which was released earlier this month, takes inspiration from their trip through the Aussie outback, noting the trials and tribulations of a rodeo with its lovers, dreamers and cowboys.
"We came to the realisation with rodeos the ups and downs can be pretty scary and a metaphor for life," Michelle said.
As they were throwing out ideas for phrases in the song, nothing stuck until Michelle bolted upright in bed and knew what the title had to be.
Once they had breakfast, they made their way to their cabin and she said it "came out pretty quickly".
The trip also became the heart of the majority of songs on their first album Into the New, which will be released in April, 2024.
"They're all pretty upbeat, happy songs, they're uplifting," Luke said.
"We want them to love the songs and be moved by them."
Back to the Bush will be released on January 15 in the lead-up to their performances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which has been a regular haunt for the couple.
The songs also pays tribute to the festival and is also a nod to Michelle's siblings being born in the city.
"We've played there several times and it was a natural thing to do...it's such an uplifting experience," Luke said.
The song has made it through to the semi-final t in the Tamworth Songwriters Association's annual songwriting competition.
The third single that will be released prior to the album is You Got the Moves, which is a dedication to the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley.
The couple appreciates late singer's musical talents, enjoys singing his songs and performed at the Parkes Elvis Festival.
Luke and Michelle have been regular performers across the Highlands and will take to the stage at The Mill from 1pm to 3pm, on December 3.
They will also bring their music to various stages in Tamworth and the Parkes Elvis Festival in January.
Learn more about the songwriting duo and listen to their work on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and studio8music.com.au/.
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