Michael is a writer with a special interest in New Zealand vernacular music and folklore. He research has included a ground-breaking MA thesis about folk music collecting in New Zealand, followed by a PhD dissertation covering local vernacular traditions like tramping songs and the ‘Māori strum’ guitar style. He has had journal articles and book chapters published in New Zealand and overseas. He lives with his family in Wellington and works at the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Michael can also be found at notunlikeatrumpet.wordpress.com.