In America, parents often give their children names in honor of their favorite actors and dancers. For example, Misha Barton was named after Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Natalia Oreiro was named after Natasha Rostova. Michelle Branch was named in memory of a favorite song by The Beatles, of which her mother was a "fan".
Childhood Michelle Branch
Michelle Jacquet Desevren Branch was born on July 2, 1983 in Phoenix, Arizona. Michelle was born seven weeks premature, weighing only 3 pounds. She has loved music all her life, listening to The Beatles since she was in the womb.
Naturally musical Michelle recorded the band's first cover version The Beatles at 3 years old. True, so far this is just karaoke, and the first listener of the single is a beloved grandmother.
At the age of 8, she began taking vocal lessons, but was soon forced to give them up. The reason for this was the move. At the age of 11, together with her parents, older brother David (born March 11, 1979) and younger sister Nicole (born 1987), she left for Sedona (Arizona).
In addition to the desire to sing, Michelle showed the ability to play the guitar. She started writing songs. Her work was very intriguing. Even in high school, she chose classes so that there was an opportunity to develop her creative abilities.
At the age of 15, Michelle left school and was transferred to home schooling. But with a condition from her mother - if her grades become low, she must return to school. Thankfully, that didn't happen and she was able to focus more on her music.
Michelle Branch's first solo performances
Her parents helped organize local concerts in her hometown in an attempt to encourage a career in music. At these concerts, she covered songs by Sheryl Crow, Jewel and Fleetwood Mac. The girl continued to write her songs, hoping that someday they would be just as popular.
One day, when Michelle was at home, a friend of the family called. She was informed that one of the well-known producers would be in her office in the near future. And if Michelle wants such a professional to hear her songs, then you need to urgently come.
Unable to leave Nicole alone, Michelle hit the road with her sister. She stole a golf cart from her neighbors and rushed off without a driver's license to meet her luck. When they got there, John Shanks wasn't interested in auditioning for some crazy girl.
But Michelle was persistent, and he did listen to the tape in the car on the way home. A few months later, John unexpectedly called her and offered to sign a contract. Thus began the stellar career of Michelle Branch.
Michelle Branch career
In 2001, Michelle signed a recording contract with Maverick Records. She then co-produced the debut album The Spirit Room with John Shanks. It went platinum almost immediately. The album included singles: Everywhere, All You Wanted and Goodbye to You.
Michelle Branch became friends with musician Justin Case and helped him sign a contract with Maverick Records. Together they recorded several joint songs, released in the 2002 album.
Michelle's next musical alliance was with musicians and songwriters Santana, Gregg Alexander and producer Rick Nowels. The result of this collaboration was the hit The Game of Love (2002), which received the Grammy Award for Best Duet.
The second album Hotel Paper was released in 2003. It was also a significant commercial success and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200. She received a Grammy Award nomination for the single Are You Happy Now?.
Why not become a screen star?
Encouraged, Michelle decided to try herself as a TV presenter and actress and turned her attention to television. She has acted in several films and television shows as a celebrity. In 2004, she co-hosted MTV's Faking the Video with Nick Lachey and JC Chase.
Duo The Wreckers
The artist and her friend and colleague Jessica Harp created the duo The Wreckers in 2005. They released their debut album Stand Still, Look Pretty in 2006. It included the single Leave the Pieces, which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The Wreckers contributed to Santana's album All That I Am'. She also accompanied the Rascal Flatts on an American tour in 2006. The duo disbanded in 2007 so that everyone could focus on their solo careers.
In the late 2000s, Michelle performed in several concerts with her younger sister Nicole (backing vocals). She also sang songs for other artists. Among them is Chris Isaac, who was on the albums.
Singer today
In 2010, Michel released another album, recorded as the Everything Comes and Goes EP. The single from the EP "Sooner or Later" did not become a hit. It reached the top 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. Three songs from the EP were released in 2011 - Texas in the Mirror, Take a Chance on Me and Long Goodbye.
For the next three years, she worked on the West Coast Time album. Branch left Maverick/Reprise in 2015, signing with Verve Records the same year.
With the collaboration of producers Gus Seiffert (Beck) and Patrick Carney (drummer for The Black Keys), she worked on her first album during 2016. Hopeless Romantic was released in March 2017. She left the label in September this year.
Michelle, along with Patrick Carney, performed a cover version of A Horsewith No Name on the fourth episode of BoJack Horseman, The Old Sugarman Place, which was featured on the soundtrack.
Branch has written and co-written all the songs on the albums. Critics praised her thoughtful lyrics and interesting guitar chords. Michelle's musical influences are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Aerosmith, Kat Stevens и Joni Mitchell.
Interesting Facts
- She plays instruments such as cello, guitar, accordion, drums and piano.
- Her nicknames are Mitch and Chell.
- Her height is 1,68 m.
- She has 9 tattoos.
- She primarily uses Taylor and Gibson guitars.
- He likes to perform barefoot and always throws a plectrum into the auditorium after a performance.
Michelle Branch's personal life
On May 23, 2004, the singer married Teddy Landau (bassist of her band). He was 19 years older than her. The singer gave birth to a daughter from him, but family life did not work out, and the couple broke up. At the moment, Michelle is married again, she has two children growing up.
The artist is not limited only to music. She has her own line of lipsticks and nail polish in Flirt Cosmetics. Like many American stars, Michelle is an animal advocate and the owner of several domestic cats.
