Collegiate Times

Fed up with industry standards and stressed out by the nonsense to have her music heard, Michelle Branch has, well, branched out. Teaming up with confidant and fellow musician, Jessica Harp, the two have put together a fresh release that focuses more on the expressionism of young hearts than anything else.

Michelle called and we talked about traveling the world and exploring all that a life of music has to offer.

So, who are The Wreckers … How did you two meet?

Well, we're good good, good friends. We've basically known each other for seven years, and we've been joking about starting a band since then. We were both indie artists trying to get record deals through websites, and people started saying we sounded alike and, eventually, I got a record deal, and she came out on the road singing backup.

Are you ship wreckers or home wreckers or what?

Ha-ha, never heard that ship wreckers one before. Hanging out with Jessica, we used to get into relationships where guys forgot to tell us they were married or already dating. We're not proud of those moments ha-ha. My husband and I, ironically, came up with Home Wreckers, but my mom would've killed me, so we shortened it.

How would you describe your music now compared to some of the older stuff?

Um, well … the instrumentation is a lot different. This album is a little more organic and has country instrumentation like the banjo and mandolin. The biggest difference is that I don't sing lead. I sing harmony for Jessica because I'm a huge fan of hers, and it's great to see people discover her and hear what I've always believed in from the start. If you followed my stuff before, I think you'll like it.

What's it like being in a female duet?

It's amazing. For me, being a solo artist was so lonely. Traveling around the world and, at the time my first album came out, I was 16-years-old. It was strange being on stage in front of thousands and then going back to the hotel by my self in a strange country. So, to have Jess out with me makes a huge difference. Not only do I get to work with my best friend, but we get to hang out and share all of the good times.

Who does most of the song writing?

It's a mix. I'm a really lazy writer though. I only write when it really hits, and it's always some strange place without a guitar … like on an airplane where I have to write on a napkin. I've never sat down and forced the issue.

What's the most difficult part of being on the road as much as you are?

Well, I have an 18-month-old daughter, so it causes difficult moments.

She doesn't get up on the stage and jam with you?

Ha-ha not yet.

What advice do you have for young girls?

My advice is that for some reason, when you're younger, you have no fear, and you can do anything you want. There will be people that tell you it can't happen, and that's something I dealt with in high school. We went to some career class, and they laughed at me saying that I wanted to be a musician and asked "What's your Plan B?" Not only people that want to do music, but people that want to do anything, there's no reason that you can't try your hardest and actually do it. Who knows what could happen? I grew up in a teeny tiny town.

Hear the duo's new album, "Stand Still Look Pretty," live tonight in Burruss Auditorium 6:30–11:30pm. Tickets are available through the UUSA Box Office or at www.tickets.vt.edu.