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Is Michelle Branch two-faced? No, she’s two of everything!
Apparently, Michelle Branch was no happier singing the hits “I’m Feeling You” and “Game of Love” on Carlos Santana’s all-star albums than we were hearing them.
In an angry, rambling rant allegedly posted on her website Sunday (since removed, but saved for posterity after the jump), the young singer-songwriter not only dumps on her collaborations with the Bay Area guitar great but her record company, fans and, oh, pretty much the entire universe.
It’s hard to tell exactly what set her off, but it seems like Branch’s main point of contention is that her record company Maverick has been holding back the album she recorded with her back-up singer Jessica Harp under the name, The Wreckers.
She writes, “I understand that you are frustrated with the fact that there isn’t any music for you to listen to. Don’t you think Jessica and I are frustrated too?? We finished this record over a year ago and were sent on a lame ass tour we didn’t want to be on. It was a horrible idea to headline a show playing music that nobody had ever heard. Maverick wanted to make a quick buck, and unfortunately, we were obligated by contract to do so. I was 5 months pregnant when we started that tour and believe me… it was the last place I wanted to be.
Who wouldn’t want to work with this guy?
“Then I got pushed into doing a Santana song I didn’t want to do (I didn’t write it either, Shanks wanted me to sing it so bad, that was a bargaining tool), Maverick wouldn’t let me do it unless Jess was on it so they would get “free” promotion for a record they didn’t even understand or believe in for the most part. The record wasn’t released because Maverick didn’t want me promoting an album pregnant. they thought it would look bad to my young fans…bull.”
The best bit of the post, however, is where she claims, “I would give nothing more than to play music in a sh– bar and fold clothes at The Gap for a living.”
So what’s stopping you, Michelle?
…
The full text of Michelle Branch’s alleged post:
“Alright, I don’t even know why I am still awake seeing as I have to be up in a few hours to feed Owen.
What I am most frustrated at, I suppose is…I pay money to keep this website up so all of you “fans” can talk about our music. Why would I want to spend the money so the majority of you can sit around and b1tch about us?
I understand that you are frustrated with the fact that there isn’t any music for you to listen to. Don’t you think Jessica and I are frustrated too?? We finished this record over a year ago and were sent on a lame ass tour we didn’t want to be on. It was a horrible idea to headline a show playing music that nobody had ever heard. Maverick wanted to make a quick buck, and unfortunately, we were obligated by contract to do so. I was 5 months pregnant when we started that tour and believe me…it was the last place I wanted to be. Then I got pushed into doing a Santana song I didn’t want to do (I didn’t write it either, Shanks wanted me to sing it so bad, that was a bargaining tool), Maverick wouldn’t let me do it unless Jess was on it so they would get “free” promotion for a record they didn’t even understand or believe in for the most part. The record wasn’t released because Maverick didn’t want me promoting an album pregnant. they thought it would look bad to my young fans…bull.
As far as ‘biting the hand that feeds you’..
I would give nothing more than to play music in a shitty bar and fold clothes at The Gap for a living. My “being famous” has done nothing but ruin my relationship with my parents, mostly my Father and it has made me hate doing what I used to love more than life itself…playing music. I have been pushed around and now most of you see me as someone who I never really was, and most of you can’t accept the plain fact that people change and grow up and I’m not the little girl you think I am. I have a family of my own now, a baby…the last thing I could imagine doing is making music. I’m fine financially (although I don’t make millions contrary to popular belief.) and being a famous musician has brought nothing to my life besides strife. (Okay, I met my wonderful husband and bandmate because of it.) I have maybe written two songs in the past year. That’s ridiculous. This isn’t fun for me anymore. I’m sick of sucking d– to get my music heard, putting on a fake smile, and saying things that are acceptable.
On the contrary, The Wreckers album makes me very proud and excited again. It’s almost like my first day at a new school. it’s a fresh start. I’m finally excited to tour (although I need to find a nanny!) and I am looking forward to seeing what fans think.
You know, I CAN take the criticism. I just don’t understand why I should pay for an arena for you to do it. If you are a “fan” why do you speak about Jessica and I in that way.
I never wanted to be put on a pedestal..I just wanted to make music. And believe me, many times I have thought I was going to quit. It’s too much energy to pretend it’s fun. You can call me a baby if you’d like, but life is too short to spend it being miserable.
This board is going to be shut down tonight. I think we all need a break. When the Wreckers album finally comes out, we’ll see the ones who decided to stick around. As for the rest of you, I meant it when I said ‘f-off’
M”
