Indigo Girls sign with Hollywood Records

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The Indigo Girls have switched labels for the first time in their career, signing a new deal with Hollywood Records, the Disney-owned company currently booming with the "High School Musical" soundtrack.

The folk/rock duo's first release under the agreement will be a new, as-yet-untitled studio album, due September 19. They had previously been signed with Sony BMG's Epic Records since 1988.

Principals

Amy Ray and

Emily Saliers are recording with producer Mitchell Froom in his Los Angeles studio and have already finagled a guest appearance from Pink on the song "Rock and Roll Heaven's Gate."

Other cuts tipped for inclusion are "Money Made You Mean," "Dirt and Dead Ends" and "Last Tears," which features guest vocals from Brandi Carlile, according to the Indigo Girls' Web site (http://www.indigogirls.com).

Some of the new material is expected to be featured during a summer tour, which begins July 1 in Portland, Ore. Another round of dates is being eyed for the fall.

The group's Epic swan song, 2004's "All That We Let In," debuted at No. 35 on The Billboard 200. Last summer the label issued "Rarities," featuring career-spanning odds and ends plus some previously unreleased cuts.

Reuters/Billboard