Elisa Peimer: Press

SKINNED BACK: We love the fact that singer/songwriter Elisa Peimer tells it like it is in her songs. The woman simply does not mince words. For proof, all one needs to do is investigate her first full-length album, "Shed This Skin."

The project offers a truly gorgeous array of nicely crafted songs that are underlined by lyrics far smarter and more clever than your average confessional pop. Peimer has developed an appealing vocal style that sees her glide with notable ease from white-knuckled belting to seductive whispers.

Peimer has earned high marks for taking her music to the clubs of New York. She's become a staple at venues that include Mercury Lounge, Fez, Arlene Grocery, and CB's Gallery.

Adding to the artist's increasing profile is the use of two cuts on the album - "Leaving Here Tomorrow" and "Lullaby" - on the daytime dramas, "As The World Turns," "Another World," and "Guiding Light."

For more information on this fine artist, call 212-366-6099, or visit her Web site, elisapeimer.com.

Elisa has the voice of a rocker, and the musical style of a mid 80's pop Goddess. The nice thing about this music is that there is a modern country crossover feel to it. I'm not sure why I get that vibe, but I there's no denying it's there. The music that you'll hear on this CD is performed with a soulful touch that simply can't be faked. Elisa pours her heart into many of the songs on this CD and it's made for a great production. The songs on this CD take me back to the time when Benatar, Heart, and The Motels ruled the charts. This is definitely a CD to be proud of. The songs reflect a beauty that has long been lost in today's modern pop styles. It's always nice to hear real quality in new music.

Elisa is a sweet little rocker. We encountered her first at the Acme Underground club. You can check out her concerts there below, but we really saw some amazing talent. With a gifted voice, this young energetic beauty starts you out in an upbeat rockin melody called “Before you Say Goodbye” followed by “Leaving Here Tomorrow” a ballad extraordinarie. Her rock writing is amazing and execution is exceptional. I think we can compare the voice to Pat Benatar and it is clean and fresh. The songs are catchy and well done, check them out and leave a comment yourself! The EP has two other tracks alternating between the ballad and the rocker too.

Singer/songwriter Elisa Peimer shines in the four-song journey through some very personal territory. Each tune is a beautifully crafted vignette that left us wondering why there were only four songs! We weren't prepared for it to end. This is a pleasant beginning, and we're looking forward to more…

love irony, surrealism and general bizarreness, it’s the fact I’m British. With that in mind my favorite new fact of the week is that the producers of both "As The World Turns" and "Beavis & Butthead : Buttoween DVD" choose the same track from this CD to feature on their respective products."HuuHuuu that’s cool", as someone might say.


To be honest it is a lot easier to see it accompanying the bad acting of the former than the bad language of the later. Still Ms. Peimer’s debut product, an E.P called cleverly "E.P", is a smooth as silk piece of work, with near perfect production. If you heard this CD and someone told you this was the latest release from Warner Brothers Records, and that they had spent a fortune on it, you would not doubt it for a minute.


The E.P consists of two pure ballads, and two jangly guitar pop ballads. All four songs have "background music for dramatic/emotional scene" stamped all over them. This is both a good and bad thing, certainly Elisa is a success waiting to happen, and I would be shocked at anything else befalling her. Against that is the problem of being trapped as a saccharine sweet member of the Lilith Fair crowd. If the tracks here are a sampler of her songwriting talented, that is superb, if instead this is her entire range then it might begin to get a little bland. Then again I have never had a sweet tooth.


Behind Ms. Peimer rich, and thank the Lord not whinny voice, are a group of talented musicians including Jefferson Thomas on Guitar and Shelly Riff on Keyboards. There is no doubting though that the four tracks here are mainly a podium upon which to display the voice and lyrics of Elisa Peimer. She has talent, of that there can be no doubt, I did thoroughly enjoy this E.P, but I don’t think it is likely to become a regular within my CD player, then again I don’t think for a second I am the intended audience, you may be. So give her website a visit and listen in to the next big thing.

It's been a while since I've thrown in a CD and said wow, but that was definitely the case when I listened to Elisa Peimer's self entitled CD.

This CD had 4 quality tracks. My favorite is track 2 with the song "Leaving Here Tomorrow". This song has hit potential written all over it. "Leaving Here Tomorrow" is a ballad, which is beautifully written. It has soft piano and guitar. Elisa's voice comes through with pure feeling and power. Elisa's voice is that of an angel, it's so pleasant you never grow tired of it. It's also powerful and is very well trained. One of the best voices I've heard.

Lyrically the song is extremely well written. It is written by all the rules that every hit contains. Powerful chorus, loaded with feeling. The chorus goes "I'm leaving here tomorrow, no turning back, I've seen this place too many times before, I close my eyes, too blind to see the doorway, but I sacrifice these feelings for a chance at freedom". Her song is loaded with words of feeling and honestly, that people can relate to. The bridge jumps out at you when Elisa's voice increases with power.

I have to say if I was to compare her style, it would be to Sarah McCaughlin or Jewel. Her lyrics are written with an honest style such as jewel, but her songs contain more power more like Sarah. However, I feel Elisa is unique in her way. Her catagory would probably be alternative/rock or pop. Her music is pretty cross over.

Track 3 "Leave The Light On" is much more uptempo and sung with power. It could possibly cross over to pop country.

Track 4 "Lullaby" has a sad feel and differs quite a bit from tracks 2 and 3. If you've ever heard the song "Adrian" by Jewel, it may remind you a little of the sad feel.

In conclusion, this is great song writing with quality music and a great sound and feel. Beautifully sung. If you like Jewel and Sarah, prepare yourself for a sound that out shines them both.

If I could instill one thing in people, it's a song should make you feel it and remember it and there is a method to a hit song. Give "Leaving Here Tomorrow" a listen and see how well it is really written. I very rarely hear CD's that move me, but this one surely did.

I wouldn't be surpirsed to see this girl on a major label really soon.

Go visit Elisa's site and listen to her songs, you'll sure want to run and buy her CD.

Yep, besides the title being Elisa's initials, this is also an EP. I don't know if I'm especially enjoying this because it's the holidays or what. Not that this is at all holiday themed, just that Elisa's beautiful voice and lush songs just seem to fit the atmosphere right now. Elisa is another wonderful Indiegrrl bound for success. I'd have to say "Before You Say Goodbye" and "Lullaby" are my favorites.

R.I.Y.L. Lisa Johnson, Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls

Elisa Peimer, EP (Hope Productions) (Formats: CHR/AC/AAA)

With one 1999 ASCAP Popular Awards credit under her belt this joyous, inspirational singer/songwriter and keyboardist has already been embraced by CHR power player Scott Shannon (WPLJ/New York) as well as three major daytime television soap operas and the producers of MTV's Beavis & Butthead Home Video line. A refreshing combination of acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards and mandolin, EP bounces from sweet and sentimental to intense inspirationals and is certain to give Jewel and Sarah a run for their money! Poetically pleasing, Peimer's passionate and powerful pop is a soothing addition to any CHR, AC or even AAA lineup. "Leave The Light On" and "Before You Say Goodbye" will undoubtedly capture the intellectual listener eager to find inspiration and insight in the sweet sensitive and highly orchestral songs of this old soul.

Elisa Peimer's four song EP, EP, is a blend of fast moving, addictive songs, and slow ballads. Prominently featured on the CD is Jefferson Thomas on acoustic and electric guitar, and Shelly Riff on keyboards. They supplement Elisa's acoustic guitar. The rest of the band includes Larry Borlenghi on bass, Scott Miller on drums, and Yael Shacham on percussion. Elisa's sound has a strong popular music influence. Elisa's vocals are a clear, focused wave that is neither overpowering, nor understated. Elisa's lyrics are a combination of metaphor and repeat choruses common to pop. The songs on EP are "Before You Say Goodbye" a fast paced lovesong about trying to keep someone from leaving, "Leaving Here Tomorrow" about a need for freedom outside a relationship, "Leave The Light On" about a desire for hope in spite of life's troubles, and "Lullaby" a creative contradiction to leaving a relationship. Elisa's style hints at more to come. Elisa's popularity is growing, and will be someone to watch in the future. Elisa is an Indiegrrl member.

A 4 song ep showing considerable promise, as a singer and a songwriter both.

'Before You Say Goodbye' rocks into being with 'I see you moving toward the door / I see that distant look in your eyes / I ask if you'd like any more / your answer doesn't come as a surprise'. Backing guitar so fresh, you'd swear it was built that morning.

'Leaving Here Tomorrow' reminds me incredibly of Peter Frampton's 'Baby, I Love Your Way'; if PF's could be cranked down a speed or 2.

Depressing subjects, but treated musically in a way that makes the singer - and perhaps you the listener - come out feeling stronger than she went in. She takes you on a short emotional trip, one you've been on many times before, with many other songwriters, but you're glad she's along. Like a friend who can take your mind off things, for just a little while.

I look forward to a full album, because I can guess there are going to be some treasures there. This ep is like finding the treasure map.

Elisa Peimer's four-song EP is short but sweet - really sweet. And very catchy without seeming trite. The songs, two fast, two slower ballads, are sincere and personal, but Elisa's apparent openness as a vocalist and songwriter allow the listener to share her musical experience. While she's been compated in other reviews to Jewel and the Indigo Girls, Peimer's work is edgier, hip and displays a zest for life and all that encompasses. "Before You Say Goodbye" and the deliciously delightful "Leave the Light On" show off a more raucous style of roots-pop that gets your toes tapping and head bobbing with reckless abandon, allowing Peimer to show off a wide range of vocal style and ability. The two slower tracks, "Leaving Here Tomorrow" and "Lullaby", however, leave no room to doubt her ability to produce heartfelt lyrics and a smooth, lilting style. "Lullaby" is a beautiful song that draws you in and take shold of your inner child by the hand and soothes the soul.

Elisa Peimer is a promising and delightful talent who absolutely sparkles with charisma and a true gift for songwriting. For more information on Elisa and her upcoming performance schedule, log onto www.elisapeimer.com.

Good things are happening for New York-based singer/songwriter Elisa Peimer. Two out of the four songs on her recently released EP CD have found homes on both television and film. Leaving Here Tomorrow will be featured on the upcoming Beavis & Butthead home video trailer and also on the soaps Another World and As the World Turns, which will feature the song Lullaby from the CD as well. That won't be the end of Elisa on TV though, since Columbia-Tristar has licensed her songs to appear on the popular series Party of Five and Dawson's Creek in the future. Of course all of these good things didn't come without a lot of hard work first from Elisa and a little luck mixed with determination. Her recent success comes after a well-received appearance on the popular New York radio program The Scott & Todd Show. Listeners called in to find out where they could buy Elisa's CD and, before you can say sold out, the Border's on Park Avenue was out of stock! "The Scott & Todd Show was one of those total fluke things where you say, let's just do something outrageous and see what happens. So I picked the most popular morning radio show in New York and sent in my CD, never seriously expecting anything to come of it," says Elisa. "When Scott Shannon emailed me, asking me to call his office, I couldn't believe it. The experience was fantastic! Hearing yourself on a nationally syndicated radio show for the first time is something else. And they played parts of all four cuts on the album, which was very, very cool. It was definitely one of the most exciting promotional experiences I've had."

Elisa's 'let's just see what will happen' marketing approach has done her pretty well in the past year. She's successfully gotten her CD in such retail chains as Border's, Barnes and Noble, and Sam Goody's with just a few phone inquiries.

"I hand-picked a couple of stores in town, called them up, and asked them if they'd be interested in selling my CD. They said yes, and bought a few copies," Elisa explains. "I definitely recommend selling your CD to a retailer who lets you do instore performances. I've done quite well at the local Border's because I've played there."

No stranger to gigging around, Elisa has amassed quite a faithful following on the local scene no doubt added to by her appearance at the 1998 Intel Music Festival. Given that she's played so many live shows before recording her first CD it's no surprise that her audience played a large part in her song selection for EP.

"To quite a large extent, the reactions of my audience help me decide what songs are my strongest and those are the ones I wanted to put on my first EP," states Elisa. "Sometimes as the writer, it's hard to be really objective as to what's a genuinely good song. I might think something's great, but it doesn't translate well to other people."

Elisa is currently working on her first full-length CD. For more information about Elisa, visit her website at: http://www.elisapeimer.com

This week's feature is "EP" by elisa peimer. this is the first cd i am featuring that was sent in to me, and believe me, this cd is incredible. elisa has one of the most beautiful voices i have ever heard. from soft and delicate, to bold and strong, her voice never wavers. it is always clear and bright. and although this is technically a demo style cd with only 4 songs, it sounds larger than life. the overall production quality is impeccable, which only says more about elisa since she not only wrote and performed on this cd, she also produced it! when i first listened to this cd the songs "before you say good-bye" and "leave the light on" jumped right out at me. they are the 2 more upbeat, catchy tunes. but over time "leaving here tomorrow" and "lullaby" began to grow on me. particularly "leaving here tomorrow", which has become my favorite song on this cd. it is a beautiful, heartfelt song about letting go and moving on which displays the strength of elisa's words as well as the strength of her voice. this cd is refreshing in that it portrays an inner strength and determination without the overload of angst and bitterness of so many of today's major label stars. in conclusion i'd like to say that this cd is a real treat, my only disappointment is that there aren't more songs!

Elisa Peimer's "EP" Spotlights Singer's Smooth, Lilting Poetry

Although you may get flashbacks of the Moody Blues from the first song, "Before You Say Goodbye," it is soon obvious that Elisa Peimer's "EP" is in fact a unique blend of poetic bliss and misery that is as fresh and welcome as a blood red rose in the dead of winter.

The first cut is upbeat, as is the third song, "Leave The Light On," both chock-full of fun, infectious harmony that will no doubt become a Peimer trademark. Her four song self-titled EP is a hip blend of contemporary pop and soft rock that will have you humming in the shower for days. And yes, these wonderfully folksy songs will be reminiscent of the best of the legendary Indigo Girls, but with a twangy edge that is a welcome change from progressive alternarock that is still mourning grunge. "Leave The Light On" could be the Motel 6 theme song (I can almost hear Tom Bodell chiming in at the end with his trademark phrase), but it is more personal than commercial.

The entire EP has a certain smooth-as-taffy feel that comes off more professional than slick and the fact that there are two slow and two fast songs to sample is that much more delectable. The resulting composition is bewitching and entrancing without being the least bit whiny. As Peimer's lilting voice slides over various notes like she's honey coating each bar, listeners are drawn into her hauntingly achy world. Yeah, she gets sad sometimes, but this is one chanteuse who knows everything will be okay in the end. It's an optimistic message that hits home, even when all seems lost.

As she waxes poetic in "Leaving Here Tomorrow," Peimer's voice modestly makes its way into the piece, sounding a lot like Jewel, but with a little more oomph. On "Lullaby," Peimer's voice blends perfectly with the orchestral background, never bending from the weight of the beautiful background. It is the ideal way to cry out an old love or sway a small one to sleep for the night - an adult lullaby innocent and sweet.

Kudos to Peimer's accompanying musicians, Jefferson Thomas (acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin), Shelly Riff (keyboards), Larry Borlenghi (bass), Scott Miller (drums) and Yael Shacham (percussion), who manage to find a voice of their own without making a big deal of it. All meld into delightfully fresh melodies, lending themselves to one memorable musical collage.

"A&R PICK"

Growing up in and around New York City doesn't seem to have hardened singer/songwriter Elisa Peimer. Her warm, personal songs display a decidedly non-cynical strength and confidence. The four tracks on this well-produced EP exemplify Peimer's wide range of moods, as they run the gamut from rootsy pop-rock to gentle ballads. Peimer's vocals and acoustic guitar are fleshed out by her backing band, yet her vocals command the most attention. Peimer's range and her display of emotion are impressive - her voice soars sweetly on "Before You Say Goodbye and it dips to an almost bluesy growl on "Leave The Light On." Regular gigs at hometown hot spots including Fez, Arlene Grocery and Mercury Lounge have already polished this performer's professional, radio-ready sound.

Unfortunately, demo recordings are not always gone over with a fine tooth comb. New artist or engineers alike do not have the time or money to back a new band's demo like they do a "made" artist's new full length CD. Hence, the reactions and critiques most artists pine for are not usually what they encounter. Yet every one of the feels their music is the proverbial "it". For this reason it is always a pleasant surprise when a demo is worth a second and third listen.

Elisa Peimer's four song demo is worth a full length CD. Her voice is sad yet strong, her music is catchy yet melodic. The first song is an upbeat, soft rock tune about a woman trying to stop a guy from leaving. Without ever taking a downbeat, "Before You Say Goodbye" is a perfect selling track for radio airplay. The chorus sticks to your brain and goes with you for the rest of the day. If the critique of her demo had to stop right here, thumbs would be held high. It only gets better.

There are two ballads both with heavy piano or acoustic guitar in the mix. Although ballads are a dime a dozen and every band seems to feel the need to write one, the song "Lullaby," the final cut of the demo, releases a hormone that clams the soul. Her voice is beyond the sweetness of a chocolate covered cherry.

Elisa has been a respected singer/songwriter in the New York area for 10 years, performing in many groups. She now forges her own path, offering an enticing collection of light hearted Adult Contemporary songs well suited for any one who loves Mature Music.