Elisha Francesca is an honest singer-songwriter and musician currently based in Melbourne, Australia. She writes from the heart, revealing a message of hope to those who need it, focusing on sincerity, grace and artistry to country music.
With her debut EP titled, Thoughts & Feelings (2021), Elisha’s desire is that her message will encourage her listeners in their day-to-day life as she shares just that – thoughts and feelings.
Elisha’s musical journey began as a six-year-old where over the years she trialed multiple instruments and styles of music. She started singing lessons at the age of 17 years with Jaanz School of Singing teachers Tania G and Tarryn Stokes, then wanted to find a different method of singing for a more unique sound, that's when she found Michael Paynter (MSquared Productions, Jimmy Barnes, The Veronica's, Ice House) who taught her much about using different tones and chest voice, finishing off with classical opera singer Cosimo Ciccone (Gabriella Cilmi) who expanded Elisha’s vocal range in such a short amount of time.
In 2015, Elisha moved to the U.S and started studying at a bible and music college where she was vocally coached by Grammy Award Nominee Madison Cunningham and gospel artist Genise Jarman (Matt Redman) along with piano tutorage by Leonard Jarman (Tori Kelly, Israel Houghton) and Danny Mills (Charlie Puth, James Marsden),drums by Spencer Kim (The Eagle and Child) and Paul Mabury (Lauren Daigle) and finally bringing Elisha to where she is today with guitar and songwriting under the mentorship of Scott Cunningham and Danny Donnelly.
Between travelling and studying, Elisha found herself surrounded by all kinds of music and songwriters. She was provided many opportunities from performing on stage at B.B Kings Blues Club in Memphis to jazz club Bamboulas in New Orleans, leading Christian churches/conferences in praise and worship across California and supporting Christian artists such as Jadon Lavik and Bill Welsh.
It wasn’t until Elisha visited Nashville in 2018, that she realized her calling was to write songs of country, infused with blues and gospel.
On returning home to Australia, Elisha applied for and was accepted into the CMAA Academy of Country Music in Tamworth for 2020. The Academy introduced Elisha to the Australian Country music industry and provided a range of opportunities for her, such as performing for artists such as Kasey Chambers and a very special moment performing for Australia’s very own Queen of Country Joy McKean.
Her exposure in Tamworth saw Elisha supporting established country artists including Lyn Bowtell, Carter & Carter and was booked for many more festivals throughout 2020 including supporting artists Catherine Britt and Amber Lawrence, however, a now all too familiar tale of 2020 cancelled all of Elisha’s live shows.
This led the Melbourne based singer-songwriter to EoR Studios in Edithvale to work with producer Damian Cafarella (Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes, Kasey Chambers) where she recorded her debut single “Home”, debut EP “Thoughts & Feelings” and singles, “Wild Horses (Two Beautiful Souls)" and "Don't Take it to Heart”.
All songs were recorded and mixed by Damian Cafarella and mastered by Josh Reynolds (Little Big Town, Jason Aldean) who is based in Nashville, TN.
Elisha's next single release is "Hope" which will be available on all digital platforms from the 20th March 2023.
This sunny little song co-written with Matt Scullion does what a good friend would do when you find yourself feeling like you are sitting with the weight of the world weighing on your shoulder; it will sit with you and lift your spirits.
With words of gentle encouragement and a reminder that ‘it is ok not to be ok all the time’, but it is important to hold on to Hope. And that this too, whatever it is, shall pass. This song was inspired during the time of bush fires that raged the country in 2020…Where there is Hope, there is a chance/life. Sometimes that is all you need.