Michelle Branch, who has not released a solo album since 2003, is gearing up for her latest release “Everything Comes And Goes” due later this year.

After taking time off to pursue other efforts, such as starting a family and pursuing a country career, Branch is ready to return to her roots and re-ignite her solo career which started a decade ago.

Branch took time after her performance to sit down and answer some questions.

Q: What advice would you give to young musicians trying to get their start?

MB: You know, it’s so weird because when I got started “American Idol” didn’t exist and it still felt impossible for people to hear your music. I did it the old fashioned way.

I played every place you could imagine: PTA meetings, Girl Scout meetings. Anytime someone asked me to play, I said yes because you honestly never know who is going to be there seeing you. My advice would be play out as much as you can.

Q: What did you think about Bowling Green?

MB: When you are on the road, sometimes the bigger cities you hit are so jaded because they get shows all the time, so it’s actually a lot more fun if you go off the main path and go to cities that don’t get major shows all the time. It’s really great. We had so much fun. We went bowling yesterday. We went to El Zarape, Jimmy John’s. We did see the whole town though. It reminded me of the town I grew up in.

Q: How many times have you been to Bowling Green previously?

MB: First time.

Q: What would you say is your biggest musical accomplishment in your career?

MB: I got signed more than a decade ago and I’m still out playing shows and still making music a decade later.

I think back to early interviews where people would asked me where do you want to be in 10 years and it seemed like it was so, so far away and I’d say ‘I hope I’m still playing music.’ And I am. Its really just a huge blessing.

Q: Your new CD “Everything Comes And Goes,” is your first solo album in six years. How much have past experiences during this time influenced your songs and writing ability for this new release?

MB: So much has changed in that six years. Being in The Wreckers was a huge influence on me musically. I moved to Nashville and started becoming part of that whole writing community.

The new album definitely has country instrumentation and has that influence on it, however, its still me at the end of the day. I wrote all of the songs. I felt like it won’t alienate my fans who like my pop stuff. I tried to keep them in mind too.

I think the subject matter is also a little different because I am singing about stuff I actually know about as opposed to when my first record came out. I was 14 or 15 when I wrote some of those songs. So some of the stuff I was writing about was just fiction to me. Now I have just lived a little more.

Q: Does it ever get routine doing concerts and performances or is each one a unique experience?

MB: If you let it get routine, if you go in with that mindset, it can totally be. There’s been times when I’ve been on the road where you forget why you’re there and you get disconnected. You forget why you love music so much.

It sounds really strange, but you have to be aware of it and you have to let yourself realize how fortunate you are to be doing it for a living. Now, I haven’t played solo shows in so long, its been almost three years I’ve been off the road and now I’m just now dying to go and play shows. People have to get a cane and pull me off stage when my time’s up.

Q: Can you explain the unique dynamic of bringing both your husband, daughter and friends along with you on tour?

MB: It’s so great. I toured for so long and it’s a very isolating experience. You travel around and you have your band and your crew.

When I started, I was 16 or 17 and I was on the bus with 11 guys and sharing a bathroom with them and touring around and had no family with me. It was really hard because we’d all have a day off and they all would go out to bars and I was too young to go with. I would just sit in the room and just write.

There were times when I felt really lonely and when I started having my little family, I realized how lucky I was. I’m really fortunate to have my husband and daughter with [me]. It makes touring a whole different thing because I get to actually get to see the cities I’m in. I have my family so I’m like, ‘hey lets go out and find something to do today instead of sitting in a hotel room.’

Q: What can fans expect in 2010 other than your new CD? What are some resolutions you made entering the New Year?

MB: My resolution for the past five years has been to drink more water. Very exciting. Not to swear in front of my daughter which I’m not very good at. She knows all of the bad ones. I’m really hoping to get back out on the road.

When I was in The Wreckers, we didn’t play any of my old stuff, so its been the first time in a long time that I am playing some old songs. I feel really good doing it and I just can’t wait for people to hear my music.

Q: Is there anything coming up in the next month where fans have a chance to possibly see you?

MB: No. We had a few shows later this month and they’ve been postponed until I get a full band. I’m really off the road for the next six weeks.

For news, updates and more on Michelle Branch, you can visit her Web site (www.michellebranch.com) or become a follower of her Twitter account (@michellebranch)

Reporter’s note: Photographer Mike Hays contributed to this interview.