Interview: Elise Lieberth Goes Deep About New Single, "Live in Peace," and Lays Out 2021 Plans

One of the most beautiful things about music is that it can mean anything to anyone. So many great songs are great because they are open for interpretation, and can mean different things to different people based on when they hear it, what’s going on their life, where they first hear the song, and so much more. Elise Lieberth’s approach to music as a tool and vehicle for healing and self-love serves that mission very well, ensuring that no matter who hears it, when they hear it, where they hear it, or what they’re going through, they’ll be able to relate and to take a very special, personal meaning from the song. As luck would have it, Elise realeased a brand new original, Live in Peace, TODAY - and it’s got a beautiful message paired with a Nashville sound. I had the extreme pleasure of talking with Elise about this new release, how her musical career has developed, what music means to her, and what’s in store for her in 2021. I hope you enjoy this interview with powerhouse singer-songwriter Elise Lieberth. Make sure to listen to her new single, Live in Peace, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube.

Tell me a little bit about yourself - How long have you been playing music as a musician? How did you first get into playing music? 

I am a wife, mom of 4, singer, songwriter, recording artist and entrepreneur. I have been singing my entire life. I started writing songs in elementary school and dabbled in various bands after high school, including a disco band,  but it wasn’t until 2010 that I decided to record my first original EP.  I was a single mom of 2 and was pretty sure my ship for pursuing music had sailed, but I knew I had to at least record a few songs and see what happened. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I had written a song that was meant to be a duet, so I reached out to a local artist, Tyler Ward, to see if he would be interested in recording it with me. I found out he was just starting to produce music as well. It was one of those things where timing was just right, We sat down and co-wrote 7 songs together, and they all came so easily. After releasing them to the world - people responded really well to them. 2010 and 2011 were really exciting times for me musically!

You found a lot of success on YouTube - can you tell me the story of how that took off?

I had been working with Tyler for about 3 months on my EP, Letters from Elise, and I had heard that big-name artists were going to be releasing a remake version of We Are the World. Tyler was well-connected with local artists in the area, so I called him and suggested that we put together a big collab with other artists and do a cover version to release on the same day. To our surprise, our version went viral and really allowed people to discover the artists involved from there. I continued to release cover songs and original songs. 

How did you transition your YouTube success into playing in-person shows?

I have always loved to perform, and since I was seeing success on YouTube, I was being contacted by venues and local cities to perform, so I kinda had to put a band together. I took a pretty long hiatus after re-marrying and having more children, so I wasn’t actively performing in the Denver area from about 2012-2019. When I finished my last original album, Invincible, I knew at the very least that I needed to do an album release show. Surprisingly, 250 people showed up for that and it made me realize how much I missed being on stage. Unfortunately, COVID hit hard shortly after, making it tougher to play shows. My heart really is with writing and recording more that performing, so I hunkered down this last year to write more and I am so excited to start releasing these next songs!!

What inspires you to make the music that you do?

I have been through a lot of hard times in life. People often tell me I should write a book, because some of the things I experienced and witnessed seem like something out of a movie. As a woman of faith and someone who is slowly healing, I believe there is power in our stories; I believe the things I went through could potentially help others heal and understand they aren’t alone. So for me, making music is therapeutic, healing and inspirational.

How would you describe your musical brand?

I would say my brand is about healing, growing, learning, owning mistakes, and loving yourself and others.

What have you accomplished as a musician in the last year that you’re most proud of?

A cover song that I did over 10 years ago ended up going viral on TikTok, which gained interest from a record label. While the deal itself was not the most beneficial for me as an artist, it was the coolest thing ever to have a song signed to a label!!!

Are you from Colorado? How does living in Colorado influence your music?

Yes, born and raised here in Colorado. Let’s just say it is much easier to write and be inspired with all of these beautiful mountains outside my door! Live in Peace was actually written in Pagosa Springs, Colorado while we were on a little getaway!

What’s your favorite thing about the Colorado music scene? 

While my music doesn’t really fit the Colorado music scene’s vibe a whole lot, I do think it is so much fun to discover local bands and see how much support the community gives them. 

If there’s one thing you want people to take away from your  music, what is it? 

I want people to know they aren’t alone in their pain, but that they can absolutely heal. 

Tell me about your new single, Live In Peace. What inspired it? What does it mean to you? 

This song is actually very personal to me. It’s something that I believe can be relatable to everyone in their own experiences, whether it is healing from past family trauma, a death of a person that hurt you, and even keeping the coffin shut on a past relationship. It was inspired by a family member expressing her hurt to me for being open about my father’s mental illness after he passed away tragically, and how it affected me. She asked me, “Why can’t you just let the dead rest in peace?” and my question to her is “What about the living?” - just because someone dies, it doesn’t mean the hurt and the pain die with that person. In fact, unless we look those hurts and pains in the eyes and forgive a person that never apologized, you can truly never live in peace. While it is hard and painful to revisit past trauma, it is important to do so that you can truly move on in a peaceful and loving way. I am going to do my best to heal from everything I have been through, so that my children and their children don’t continue to suffer for the hurt and pain I experienced and passed along to them. I want to break generational curses and behaviours of being silent, sweeping everything under the rug and burying heads in the sand - and I want to break the stigma around mental health - that it is OK to not be OK - and it is OK to get the help you need. I tell my story because I know many people are silenced by family, or made to feel like they deserved what they experienced as an innocent child, like I have been made to feel… but I am done being silenced, because I truly want to live in peace. 

The song features Justin Weaver, the guitarist that has toured with The Chicks. What made you reach out to him to be a part of the recording? How did he come to be a part of the track?

I was recording this track with local producer Christopher Bloom. We wanted this song to have a Nashville, country flavor because the hook, “I’m just down here trying to keep your coffin shut,” felt so country. Chris had the connection to Justin, and once we sent him the track, he basically did his magic and transformed the entire song into even more that I had imagined. It was a complete honor to have him be a part of this track. 

What was the recording process like for Live In Peace? Did you record remotely or in-person?

A little of both - Chris is a local producer here in Colorado, so after sending him my rough draft of the song remotely, we got together to flush out the song better and change the structure around. Chris did his magic in studio and the guitar tracks from Justin Weaver were done remotely since Justin lives in Nashville!

Who are your musical role models? Do you look up to any local or non-local musicians? Why?

Sara Bareilles is a huge role model for me. Not only is her voice a powerhouse and incredible, but her songwriting is phenomenal. Honestly the person I look up to the most musically is my good friend RachelA. She is from Denver as well, and I just love her heart. Her talent and creativity are endless, and she is hands down the most talented person I have ever had the privilege of meeting and getting to know. 

What is something you have learned or taken away from the last year that you’ll apply to the rest of your life?

Take chances!!

If you could give a piece of advice to musicians just starting out, what would it be? 

Don’t take yourself too seriously; leave your ego at the door; be open to change and ideas that align with who you are as a musician, and don’t be afraid to take chances.

What’s your favorite show that you’ve ever played? Why was it so special to you?

The album release party for my last album, Invincible, was my favorite show ever. Friends and family traveled from all over to come watch, and the room was packed with so many of my closest people…I was extremely sick that night and my voice struggled a bit, but the energy and love that I felt truly made the night feel magical for me.

If you could play your dream show, what would it look like? 

I would love to play a show at Red Rocks! That would be a dream. I would also be the happiest person alive if my favorite band NEEDTOBREATHE ever needed female vocals and asked me to join them on stage for a song or 2! 

What’s your favorite song to sing? Original or cover.

Beautiful is my favorite song to sing, I co-wrote it with RachelA and it really  just means a lot to me and I cant hep but get emotional singing it!

Who are some of your favorite local Colorado musicians and bands?

RachelA, Wildermiss, Shanna in a Dress, and Float like a Buffalo!!

Where can fans catch your live shows in the coming months? 

I don’t have anything lined up at the moment, but hopefully this summer!!

What’s a great local Colorado business for people to support?

Blue Spruce Brewing Company - best Chili beer EVER!!!

What are you looking forward to musically in 2021? 

This year, I am focusing on writing and recording more originals, while sprinkling in covers from time to time. I plan to release a new original song every 6 weeks!

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out from your musical journey?

My husband, my children, my momma, RachelA, Chris Bloom, Jeff Hendrick - they have all believed in me and have helped or watched my dreams come to life and I am incredibly grateful for each of them!