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Signed: Michelle Branch Moves to BMG; ‘Descendants’ Star Liamini Segura Inks With Music Manager
Billboard's latest "Signed" roundup reports that singer-songwriter Michelle Branch has joined BMG, which will release her EP of re-recorded songs, Everywhere and Back Again, on 6 November. The article also rounds up several other recent artist signings, including Descendants star Liamani Segura joining Lighthouse Management + Media, Grammy- and Pulitzer-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens signing with WME, and post-hardcore band Chiodos joining SharpTone Records.
Branch's EP will feature re-recorded tracks from across her career, including songs from her debut album The Spirit Room, alongside guest collaborations yet to be announced; its lead single is a reimagined version of "The Game of Love", originally a Grammy-winning hit with Santana that reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Segura, known for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, recently signed with Def Jam Recordings and will tour on the Worlds Collide Concert Tour this autumn. Giddens is releasing her seventh solo album, Hope Is the Thing With Feathers, on 18 September and has launched the Biscuits & Banjos Foundation, while Chiodos released its first new single in over a decade following a 20th-anniversary tour of its debut album.
In short
- Michelle Branch signs to BMG, re-recorded EP out 6 November.
- Liamini Segura joins Lighthouse Management + Media as manager.
- Rhiannon Giddens signs with WME; Chiodos joins SharpTone Records.
Explained simply
Artist signings and record label announcements are a regular feature of the music industry, marking important career transitions and deals between musicians and the companies that help distribute, manage and promote their work. These moves often indicate turning points in an artist's trajectory.
Michelle Branch is an American singer-songwriter who achieved major commercial success in the early 2000s, particularly with "The Game of Love", a Grammy Award-winning collaboration with the rock band Santana. Though she has had periods away from the spotlight, she has maintained an audience and reputation as a significant artist in the pop and rock genres.
The music industry involves multiple types of player beyond just record labels, including management companies and talent agencies that help artists develop their careers, secure deals and reach audiences. Regular announcements of signings across various artists reflect ongoing industry activity and continued investment in both established musicians and emerging talent.