Singer Michelle Branch, 23, is best known for hits like "Everywhere" and the 2002 Grammy-winning duet with Carlos Santana, "The Game of Love." But, as Mary Morningstar tells us, Branch has moved in a different musical direction with the new Country duo The Wreckers.
"Stand Still, Look Pretty" is the title track from The Wreckers' debut album. Michelle Branch formed the duo with her best friend, singer Jessica Harp.
"Toward the end of my last solo tour, I was trying to figure out what else I might want to do, so I started thinking about making the singer-songwriter Country type of record I'd always wanted to do," said Branch.
Michelle and Jessica bring together influences from rock, blues, Country and folk and are both accomplished songwriters.
Seven years ago, Jessica and Michelle met during a stopover in a Kansas City airport. Before they formed The Wreckers, Jessica spent three years writing songs with Michelle and performing in her touring band.
In 2005, The Wreckers recorded the song "Good Kind" for the soundtrack to the U.S. television teen drama One Tree Hill. Also last year, they collaborated with Santana on "I'm Feeling Good," which appears on his latest album All That I Am.
Stand Still, Look Pretty was completed long before its release. After the recordings were finished, Michelle found out she was expecting her first child with husband Teddy Landau, who performs bass in her band. She gave birth to their daughter Owen last August. Michelle feels the year off from her career gave Maverick Records more time to develop a good marketing plan for The Wreckers' debut.
Branch toured with the Dixie Chicks in 2003, and says she took lessons on how to balance family life and performing. For instance, she had a bunk on the tour bus converted into a crib, which has now been put to use.
The Wreckers will open concerts for Country trio Rascal Flatts through the end of July. Later in the year, the duo is scheduled to join Country superstar Brad Paisley's "Time Well Wasted" tour.
