In their latest Big 10 college tour to find unsigned bands, Maverick recording artists Michelle Branch and Jude will be co-headlining at Little Brother’s, 1100 N. High St., tonight.

Maverick Recording Co. and Kenneth Cole Productions teamed up for Cole’s “Unlisted” shoe line campaign, along with the two up-and-coming musicians. The “Unlisted Battle of the Bands” Sept. 30 showcased a variety of talented local acts, with the winner opening for Jude and Branch when the tour comes to town.

Scott Gorsuch was the lucky victor that will start the night. He will then go on to the next round where each “Battle of the Bands” winner will compete for a grand prize of $10,000 to make a demo, and the chance at a recording contract with Maverick.

Unlike other female teen-age pop artists, Branch started writing songs on her guitar at age 14. Her smooth guitar riffs and unmatched voice create a fun album that can appeal to many musical tastes. The eclectic pop-rock tunesmith can easily entertain her audience with catchy lyrics and alluringly honest vocals. Almost like a young Sheryl Crowe, Branch could easily take on the music world.

“I was highly involved in creating the album, from the ideas to singing and writing all of the songs.” Branch said.

Branch’s debut CD, “The Spirit Room,” has received high marks, and her video single, “Everywhere” has been on MTV’s top-10 video request show, “TRL.”

Jude combines his unique storytelling ability and sarcastic humor to create his latest rich and mellow album, “King of Yesterday.” His sensitive songwriting can be heard in such tracks as “I Will Not Die” and “Everything’s All Right.” His CD is romantic, yet edgy, as he incorporates a wide variety of instruments. But such funny lyrics as “Do I have to do sit ups if I wanna be a rock star” in “Sit Ups,” to the tender words in “The Not So Pretty Princess,” where he sings, “The not so pretty princess met a doctor with a knife and he said there was a lot of ways that he could change her life,” truly show his eclectic artistic vision. 

Tickets for the show are $10, and may be purchased at Little Brother’s or through Ticketmaster.