"This singer-songwriter, only 28, is such a commanding presence that it may come as a surprise to learn that 'Brandi Carlile' is much more of a band than a solo act. The child of a Grand Ole Opry–loving family in rural Washington state, Carlile was playing around Seattle circa 2003 when she met the twins Tim and Phil Hanseroth, guitarist and bassist for the hard-rock outfit the Fighting Machinists. After that band got signed and dropped by Interscope and called it quits, the brothers found themselves starting a trio with Carlile and focusing on acoustic instruments for the first time. The three musicians began writing together, creating a songwriting partnership in which they share credit for all songs, regardless of who contributes what. And that collaboration has been fundamental to Carlile's music ever since."—Acoustic Guitar