Michelle Branch has partnered with Santana and Gregg Alexander to release a new version of the 2002 hit "The Game of Love." Other industry updates include a 20th-anniversary tour for Chiodos and new signings for Myles Erlick and Highway Home.
The 2002 Grammy winner returns: Michelle Branch and Santana's reimagined hit
Michelle Branch has unveiled a reimagined version of "The Game of Love," collaborating once again with Santana and New Radicals' Gregg Alexander. The original track, which first appeared on Santana's 2002 album, was a commercial powerhouse, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, according to the report.
This revival comes as Michelle Branch enters a new professional chapter, having joined BMG. The President of North & South America for BMG has praised Branch's contribution to pop-rock history, suggesting her work defined the genre for an entire generation. This move signals a strategic effort to leverage Branch's established catalog while pivoting toward new creative directions.
From Carnegie Hall to the Biscuits & Banjos Foundation
Michelle Branch is expanding her footprint beyond the recording studio, recently completing sold-out performances at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Carnegie Hall. As the report notes, Branch is scheduled to release a new EP on September 18 via Nonesuch Records, maintaining a high level of visibility through both prestige venues and new releases.
Beyond the music, Michelle Branch has launched the Biscuits & Banjos Foundation. This organization is dedicated to music education and honoring the influence of the African diaspora on American culture. This pivot toward philanthropy and education echoes a broader trend among early-2000s stars who are transitioning from pure pop stardom into roles as cultural curators and community advocates.
Chiodos and the 20th-anniversary push for 'TAPDAT'
In the alternative scene, Chiodos is returning to the spolight after a hiatus of more than a decade. The band has released a new single titlled "TAPDAT" and is leveraging nostalgia with a 20th-anniversary tour celebrating their debut album. Their current itinerary includes appearances at major festivals such as Louder Than Life and the Warped Tour.
The band is further cementing its comeback with a headline tour across North America this summer. By anchoring their return to a milestone anniversary, Chiodos is tapping into the same legacy-driven market that is currently fueling the reimagined works of artists like Michelle Branch.
The rise of Estes and Myles Erlick's August 14 EP
New talent is also making significant inroads via Blue Highway Records and ONErpm. Blue Highway Records has signed Estes, an artist-writer whose album The 90s Called earned her the 2024 Association of Independent Music Publishers' award for Rising Artist-Writer. The label has also added Mullen to its roster, who will support Tyler Braden on an upcoming Australian tour following the release of an EP featuring the song "Can't Compete With Carolina."
Similarly, Myles Erlick has signed with Huff Co. and ONErpm. Erlick, noted for his multi-instrumental skills and country-pop blend, is preparing for an August 14 EP release that includes the singles "Thread" and "I Wanna Be Your Man." Meanwhile, the country trio Highway Home—consisting of Conner Sweeney, Eamon Owen, and Stanton Langley—has secured booking representation from WME following their Warner Records release, "No More Drinkin' Songs."
The missing details on the BMG 'exciting projects'
While the announcement of Michelle Branch joining BMG is official, several specifics remain unclear. Branch mentioned that "a lot of exciting projects" are currently in the works, but the report does not specify if these include a full-length album or further collaborations with Santana. Furthermore, it remains unverified how the September 18 EP release via Nonesuch Records integrates with her new partnership at BMG,as the two entities are distinct labels.
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