Surfacing

Turning the spotlight on musicians making a commercial breakthrough.

“Stand Still, Look Pretty”

The Wreckers

Maverick

Artist info:

Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp have voices so closely matched their harmonies take on an almost sibling quality. This serves the country-rock genre well, where choruses have to soar above the twang. This debut album shifts between quiet, introspective acoustic moments and rollicking Telecaster-fueled rock. It helps that their principal producer is Grammy-winner John Leventhal, who has guided efforts by Shawn Colvin, Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash. There’s enough of a pop sensibility to keep the Wreckers out of the standard contemporary-country fare and songs such as the title cut reveal depth, perspective and irony.

Back story:

The Wreckers was born out of a deep friendship between Branch and Harp that stretches back before Branch earned a Grammy for her 2002 duet with Carlos Santana on “The Game of Love.” Harp had been a struggling songwriter and backup singer in Nashville, sang on Branch’s debut album, made the rounds of major labels and even bowed out of a development deal with one. In the middle of a tour stop, Branch invited Harp to join her on tour as a supportive friend. That led to co-songwriting and late nights of playing guitar and harmonizing together in hotel rooms, all of which dovetailed with Branch’s desire to pursue a more country-oriented direction. The group is now supporting Rascal Flatts on tour and due to appear on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” “The View,” “The Early Show” and “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson.”

Influences:

Alison Krauss, Jewel, Sheryl Crow

Trivia:

The Wreckers’ album is Branch’s first since her 2003 solo album, “Hotel Paper.”