John Standish

This is no ordinary artist/producer relationship. But then again, is there anything ordinary about art of music? When John Standish heard Michael playing her guitar and singing her heart out by a hot spring in the Rocky Mountains he had to ask, "Do you happen to have any recordings?" And by perfect circumstance, she just happened to have a single demo in her car of some rough early attempts at producing from her days at Exit. Michael was eager to talk with the inquisitive man because earlier that day, and unbeknownst to him, she had heard him singing and playing the piano for a crowd of long-time admirers at the communal lodge of the hot springs.

The two soon discovered, that at that time,they both resided in Colorado Springs. Standish offered to give Michael a tour of his work envirnment at the recording studio City Tracks. A week later, she went in wide-eyed and ready with a list of questions. No one really understands how musicians get where they are or how they become so knowledgeable about microphones and faders and knobs and panning, inputs and outputs, patch cords, and reverb... Well, for one, they go in open, ready to learn, with a list of questions. They prove their tenacity, have a joyful attitude, and do everything in the spirit of music creation, in the hopes of promoting and facilitating the process in others. And two, they find a mentor who works with the same qualities.

So when Michael eyeballed Standish and asked for his assistance on her recordings, it was heartfelt agreement to evolved together as servants of sound. She deferred to his experience and let him train her in the studio, teaching her everything he could about Pro Tools, and even helping her land some paid voiceover work when money was low, so she could keep working on her music. They worked long and bizarre hours. Standish went out of his way to have Michael in the studio late at night to work on music, even after he had been working on commercial projects 10 or more hours prior. He eventually helped Michael make critical decisions on the design of her own recording studio, an important and substantial investment. But "Johnny" got a great deal, with Michael bringing him composition after composition for him to breathe into. Their connection became so intense and surreal that collaborating was no longer an option for them.

Not to say they always work smoothly. Emotions run high in the studio. Michael wants zero learning curve and perfect recordings. They may be screaming when sessions fail. And sometimes, the passion is so tremendous, that the two are jolly with grandiose conversations. But, "when the levels aren't right and an entire session is spent slaving for a song that was at first a brilliant light, there is nobody I would rather be with than Johnny".

Michael began producing under Standish's supervision and with his stamp of approval, has been able to watch her go on to create with superior imagination and confidence.

John Standish is the co-owner of City Tracks recording studio in Colorado Springs, CO.He scores and produces for commercials, radio,and film. He was the keyboardist / voaclist for the 80's rock band Sassy Jones. His most current comprehensive working endeavor has been with Michael on her album, "Naked".