Growing up in Northumberland, Michael first began learning drums at school aged 9. He continued his drumming education at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Leeds College of Music, where he focused on playing jazz in many ensembles including the Conservatoires UK Big Band.

Michael moved to Manchester in 2007 to be part of the band Everything Everything. In January 2010 they were included in the BBC's Sound of 2010 list and since then have performed in America, Japan and all over Europe playing tours and festivals. In the UK, the band has played Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival, Reading and Leeds, as well as touring extensively.

Since releasing their critically acclaimed album Man Alive in August 2010, Everything Everything have had the pleasure of playing many sessions and television appearances, including: BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale Sessions for Huw Stevens, Zane Lowe and Fearne Cotton, Live at Abbey Road and The Mercury Prize Sessions, both for Channel 4, and Later... with Jools Holland for BBC 2. Michael also recorded with Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) on her new material.

So far in 2011, the band has won The South Bank Breakthrough Award and were nominated for the NME Best New Band, XFM Album of the Year, and The Guardian Debut Album awards. They have just completed the NME Awards Tour with Crystal Castles and are very much looking forward to writing their second album as well as continuing to tour extensively.