Singer/songwriter Michelle Branch posted the following message on her official forum:

Welcome everyone!!

Thanks for stopping by.

I've started working on the new album a few weeks ago and it's great to have a place where I can come and keep you posted (literally!)

I've got a ton of songs already and everything has kinda found its own sound. I don't know what to call it. I'll let you guys decide. I'm hoping to let you hear bits and pieces as we get further along.

It's been so long since I've been just plain MB. I'm so excited I can't even tell you.
Rumor has it; I'll be out on the road starting as early as February with the album being released shortly after that. I can't wait to get out and not only play new songs but also play so many old songs I haven't had the chance to play over the last few years.

Thanks for the love and support.

Be well.

Michelle

As previously reported, British beauty Leona Lewis will release her hightly-anticipated debut album “Spirit” in the UK on 12^th November via Sony/BMG. The set is preceded by lead single “Bleeding Love”, produced by Ryan “Alias” Tedder, who belted another tune entitled "Take a Bow".

Other producer/songwriter collaborations on “Spirit” include Dallas Austin & Alonzo “Novel” Stevenson (“Whatever It Takes”), Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem & Andrea Martin (“Better in Time”), Max Martin & Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald (“I Will Be”), Stargate & Johnta Austin (“Angel”), Walter Afanasieff (“Here I Am”), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith & Eric Hudson (“I’m You”), Billy Steinberg & Josh Alexander (“The Best You Never Had”), Salaam Remi & Kara Dioguardi (“Forgiveness”) and Nina Woodford (“Yesterday”).

Johnta Austin is currently shooting the video for his new single “The One That Got Away”, to be directed by Ray Kay (“Soldier” – Destiny’s Child / “Forget You” – LAX).

The track was produced by Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen, who previously collaborated with the singer/songwriter on tracks for other artists such as Chris Brown (“With You”), Leona Lewis (“Angel”), Trey Songz (“Can’t Help But Wait”), Joe (“Ghetto Girl”) and Mario Vazquez (“I Bet”, “We Gon’ Last”,”Fired Up”).

The release date of Austin’s debut album “Ocean Drive” is yet to known, but it’s expected to sport additional alliances from Jermaine Dupri (Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson), Bryan Michael Cox (Toni Braxton, Claudette Ortiz), Scott Storch (Mariah Carey, Silena Murrell) , Phalon “Jazze Pha” Alexander (Angie Stone, Ciara) and Teddy Bishop (LeToya Luckett, Aaliyah).

Glam-model turned singer Tila Tequila is getting ready to shoot the video for her new single “Stripper Friends”, produced by Bloodshy & Avant: Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg (“Piece of Me” – Britney Spears / “Brave” – Jennifer Lopez / “Speakerphone” – Kylie Minogue).

Her as yet untitled debut album is slated for a 2008 release, and will feature collaborations with Jonathan “Lil Jon” Smith (Mariah Carey, Teedra Moses), Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson), Damon Elliot (Kelly Rowland, Solange Knowles) and Beau Dozier (Nicole Scherzinger, Samantha Jade).

R&B newcomer Candace Jones posted a new song on her official MySpace profile entitled “A Million Pieces”, and wants your opinion whether it should or shouldn’t make the final track list of her upcoming debut album.

The as yet untitled set is expected to drop in 2008, and among the producer alliances are Raphael Saadiq (Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston) and The Corna Boyz: Pierre Medor & Dwayne Nesmith (LeToya Luckett, Keri Hilson).

[Visit] Candace Jones @ MySpace

“Untouched” is set to be the 2^nd single lifted from The Veronicas’ sophomore album, “Hook Me Up”, which was released on November via Atlantic/Sire Records. The track was produced by Toby Gad, whose best known for his work with Fergie (“Big Girls Don’t Cry”), Keke Palmer (“Skin Deep”) and Elizabeth Withers (“Be With You”).

“Hook Me Up” boasts additional alliances from Billy Steinberg & Josh Alexander (Fefe Dobson, Katharine McPhee), Shelly Peiken (Samantha Jade, Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Greg Wells (Paris Hilton, Che Dorval).

Here is the cover and official track list for Season six American Idol contestant Blake Lewis’ debut album, “Audio Day Dream”, due 4^th December via Arista/J Records. The set will be preceded by lead single “Break Anotha”, produced by Ryan “Alias” Tedder (Leona Lewis, Jesse McCartney).

Expect additional collaborations with Keri Hilson (Toni Braxton, Paula Campbell), Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem (Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears), Evan “Kidd” Bogart (Lucy Walsh, Jessi Malay) and Steph Jones (Paula DeAnda, Jordin Sparks).

Blake Lewis – Audio Day Dream (Official Track List):

1. Silence Is Golden (Intro)
2. Break Anotha
3. Gots To Get Her
4. Know My Name
5. How Many Words
6. Surrender
7. Hate 2 Love Her
8. Without You
9. Here’s My Hello
10. What’cha Got 2 Lose?
11. She’s Makin’ Me Lose It
12. Bshorty Grabs Mic!
13. End Of The World
14. 1000 Miles
15. I Got U
16. I Choose Noise (Outro)

Blackground recording artist Kasey Butler has set all the songs on her official MySpace profile to "Download", so make sure you head over there and store songs such as "Miss Your Girl", "My Turn", "If You Were a Girl", "I Got You" and "Scream" on your iPod!

Butler's as yet untitled debut album is set for a 2008 release, and it's said to feature collaborations with producers Soulshock & Karlin: Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin (Skye Sweetnam, Ashley Parker Angel), as well as songwriters Lisa Simmons (Kelly Rowland, Fantasia Barrino) and Lil Eddie (Kylie Minogue, Joanna "Jojo" Levesque).

[Visit] Kasey Butler @ MySpace

Latin songstress Cristal Q posted a new song on her official MySpace profile entitled "Watch This", so feel free to visit and tell me what you think of it!

Her as yet untitled debut album is expected to drop in 2008 featuring collaborations with Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Samantha Jade, Britney Spears), Bryan Michael Cox (Alicia Keys, Jessica Simpson), Taurian "Adonis" Shropshire (Mariah Carey, Amerie), Jim Jonsin (Danity Kane, Mario Vazquez) and songwriting team The Clutch: Patrick "J. Que" Smith, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, Keri Hilson & Ezekiel Lewis (Jennifer Lopez, Tiffany Evans).

[Visit] Cristal Q @ MySpace

Hamada: - Tell us about how you started your musical career?

Lucy: - I grew up in a very musical family, and performing is what I always wanted to do. I was a pre-professional ballerina for 10 years, and also acted. My first professional gig was playing keys/singing in my friend Ashlee Simpson's band. From there I got my own record deal with Island Def Jam Records.

Hamada: - Why did you name your debut album "Lost in the Lights"? And what can we expect from it?

Lucy: - The title "Lost in the Lights' is about the "Lucy Walsh Vibe"... It's about diving into life and not being afraid to experience both the bad and the good. It's about color, and fun, and passion. 'Lost in the Lights' is a vibrant '80s and classically inspired pop record.

Hamada: - Whom have you worked with in terms of songwriters/producers? And which ones you'd love to hook up with in the near future?

Lucy: - On "Lost in the Lights' I worked with producers Jonathan "J.R." Rotem ("S.O.S."- Rihanna, "Beautiful Girls" - Sean Kingston), Christopher "Tricky" Stewart / Terius "Dream" Nash ("Umbrella" - Rihanna), Lester Mendez (Jewel/Shakira) and Matthew Wilder (No Doubt). I wrote and co-wrote almost all of the record. My dream collaboration is with Tom Delonge (Blink-182)

Hamada: - What are some of your favorite songs on the album? And can you tell us brief liner notes about each one of them?

Lucy: - I go through phases of loving different songs off my record. At the moment 'Crash' and 'Lullaby' are my favorites ... Both you can hear on my official MySpace profile. 'Crash' is an over-the-top party song, and 'Lullaby' is a very intimate moment on the record with just me playing the piano.

Hamada: - You've worked closely with pop star Ashlee Simpson during the era of her debut album "Autobiography". How was that experience like? And will we see the both of you performing a duet soon?

Lucy: - It was a blast playing with Ashlee, and its so much fun to be on a tour bus with friends. Ash and I aren't planning on a musical duo in the future, but you never know!

Hamada: - Billboard magazine published a very positive review about your new single, "So Uncool", stating that it's the kind of song that will fill the void Britney Spears left when she married Kevin. How did that make you feel?

Lucy: - Its cool to have a review in a magazine like Billboard! any comparison to someone (like Britney) who has sold tons of records is fine by me ... As a new artist, I get compared to other singers a lot, and its interesting to hear peoples opinions.

Hamada: - What drives you musically?

Lucy: - The ability to move and inspire people is what drives me musically. I remember being 5 years old, listening to 'True Colors' by Cyndi Lauper and crying my eyes out. My mom said she was going to take away the song if I didn't stop crying...but I wasn't sad, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It's neat that I can pass that same experience onto people of all ages through my own music.

Hamada: - If you weren't a singer/songwriter, which alternative career you would have pursued instead? And why?

Lucy: - I'd have my own cooking show because my two favorite things are food, and being in front of a camera!

Hamada: - Tell us something that most readers will be surprised to learn about you?

Lucy: - I play classical piano, and study piano, voice and theory with private coach Dr. Joel Ewing every morning. I'm a classical nut! ROCK ON …

[Visit] Lucy Walsh @ MySpace

[Purchase] Lucy Walsh - Lost in the Lights (Def Jam)