Although she rose to fame during the teen pop era, Michelle Branch -- who was 17 years old when her debut album, The Spirit Room, began its double-platinum run in 2001 -- modeled her own songs after iconic alt-rock females like Lisa Loeb and Melissa Etheridge. Raised in Arizona, Branch sang throughout her childhood but didn’t pick up the guitar until her 14th birthday, when she received the instrument as a gift. Within a week, she’d written her first song. Branch’s parents eventually decided to home school their daughter, allowing her more time to focus on a budding musical career and play shows in the Sedona area. Following the release of her first independent album, 1998’s Broken Bracelet, Branch began attracting attention from major labels.
She signed with Maverick Records and began co-writing with John Shanks, a former member of Melissa Etheridge’s band who had since moved into production. Together, the two wrote “Everywhere,” which became Branch’s first hit single in 2001. Released that summer, her debut album quickly produced two more hits, including the Top Ten single “All You Wanted.” While working on a second album, Branch found time to collaborate with Santana on “The Game of Love,” which became the lead single for Santana’s 2002 album Shaman. “The Game of Love” peaked at number five and eventually won a Grammy Award, while “Are You Happy Now?” -- the first song from Branch’s sophomore album, Hotel Paper -- maintained her presence on the charts in early 2003.
Like The Spirit Room, Hotel Paper went platinum and spawned two Top 40 singles. While touring in support of the album, Branch became engaged to her bass player, Teddy Landau, and the two married in May 2004. One year later, she launched a country side project with her backup singer, Jessica Harp. Initially calling themselves the Cass County Homewreckers, the two eventually trimmed down their name to the Wreckers and released an album, Stand Still, Look Pretty, in 2006. The album went gold, due in large part to the lead single “Leave the Pieces,” which topped the country charts.
The Wreckers went their separate ways in 2007, with both musicians returning to their own careers. Branch spent several years writing songs and making guest appearances on other albums (including Chris Isaak’s Mr. Lucky) before issuing a short EP, Everything Comes and Goes, in 2010.
Andrew Leahey
AllMusic.com
