
She’ll also be doing a livestream performance of her debut album on September 10.Īhead of The Spirit Room re-release, we spoke to Branch about the making of the record, being an Asian American pop star in the early aughts, the future of her side project The Wreckers and her new album, due out in 2022. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Spirit Room, Branch will be releasing a special re-recorded anniversary edition of the album as well as a vinyl version in March 2022. It was released ahead of Branch’s 2001 debut album, The Spirit Room, a record that showcased her songwriting talent and helped her become a blueprint for today’s pop stars. The release of her debut single “Everywhere” in July 2001 captivated pop fans with its catchy chorus and blistering guitars (not to mention its homage to teen romance). At the center of the latter emerged a guitar-wielding, singer-songwriter from Arizona called Michelle Branch. "I wouldn't trade it for anything.While boy bands and bubblegum pop dominated the late ‘90s, 2001 took a turn towards more R&B-centric pop and a new class of female alt-rockers. When you're 18 with the best job in the world, you can put up with anything - nights away from home, radio promotions, even those pesky Britney references. "I don't know what home is anymore," she laughs.īut that's OK. Not long ago, she was in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Singapore. mini-tour in Atlanta, Georgia, at the end of February, it's off to Japan and Australia. I'd like to write songs for soundtracks, and I love to hear new bands and hope to help them." "But I know I'll always be a songwriter, so I want to explore that. "I might not want to be a performer forever," she says thoughtfully. Singing is important, she says so is the song. "I could explore what I was hearing in my head."īranch hasn't worked out where she wants her career to go. "The new record sounds exactly like I want it to sound," she says. "The Spirit Room" opened new doors for her music, she says. "I'd have an idea for strings, and I'd be told that we had no time and we can't afford it," she says. That wasn't always the sound she had in mind. "Broken Bracelet" was recorded in eight days and was "very raw and acoustic" in Branch's words. Or learning the way around a recording studio. "I feel like, one day someone will figure out that I have the best job and take it away."īranch is still figuring out some things on her own. Still, she doesn't regret the change for a moment. But I'd watched enough 'Behind the Music' to know what was going on." "I figured, you have a good song, people will play it. "There were a lot of things I didn't know were part of the job, like going around to radio," she says. Branch estimates she's been home for two weeks since the beginning of 2001.

There was a photo shoot for the album's cover, followed by a promotional tour, then some gigs as a support act, then working the radio stations to play "Everywhere," then a video shoot, then more touring. In January 2001, the 17-year-old entered the studio "The Spirit Room" was completed five weeks later. I was offered a contract and I asked, 'When can we make the record?' But we had to do the paperwork first," she laughs. That was before Branch started playing some live dates and recorded an independent album, "Broken Bracelet." The next thing she knew, Maverick Records - the label Madonna founded - had come calling.

Michelle branch everywhere professional#
"They supported me, but the odds of a kid becoming a professional musician are not on your side." "They made me go to school." she recalls.
Michelle branch everywhere how to#
Music was always playing in the house, she says, and though neither of her parents ever had show-business aspirations - Dad's a former plumbing contractor and Mom manages a restaurant - they backed hers.īranch has always sung, but she didn't learn how to play the guitar until she was 14.

"I've wanted to do this my whole life."īranch was born and raised in suburban Arizona. "I've been singing since I could talk, and playing guitar since I was 14," she says. Perhaps it's because her lifelong plan is panning out nicely. Moreover, she sings with a passion and rawness that gives the songs some real meat. Though only 18, the songs on her major-label debut, "The Spirit Room" (Maverick), display a clever wit and an ability to create the occasional Beatlesque hook. That she understands how the game is played is a sign that Branch is bright beyond her years.
