A twinkling hot pink sequined brassiere, the sweet smell of marijuana in the air, the crowd wildly screams “F–k the pain away”, as a blow up penis bounces on stage. If you’ve ever been to see Peaches in concert, these images will ring true, and if you haven’t, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Peaches wasn’t always Peaches, yet her rise to fame, as one of the pioneers of electroclash is equally as riveting as the forever-young looking 41-year-old, herself.

I had the pleasure of knowing Peaches (a.k.a. Merrill Nisker) in the late 70’s, when she was a tweener, absolutely adorable and the comedian in her family. I was best friends with her older sister, and Merrill was best friends with my little sister. Many a good time was spent in the Nisker household. Her parents were very cool people, serving up amazing conversations and great snacks in their warm and open home. I was pleased as punch to learn that Merrill started getting hooked on music after hanging out at my house, singing along with my piano- playing brother. What an honour! Merrill taught herself to play guitar, and claims ” she can play many instruments, but not very well”. This lack of formal training certainly has not held her back.

As I followed Merrill’s career over the years, it all makes perfect sense how this electroclash phenomenon emerged, yet Merrill confessed that she had no plan or agenda. “It all just happened. I took old school sounds mixed it in a machine and taped it.” Although at times she’s added dancers and backup band as part of her entourage, Merrill’s music machine, the Rolland mc-505, is at the center of her music.

How many kids can say that they had “Peaches” at their 5th birthday party..well mine can! In the early 90’s, Merrill taught music for Associated Hebrew Schools in Toronto, and entertained children at their birthday parties with her guitar and theatrical antics. At the same time, Merrill was exploring and experimenting with her own music; was in the band “The Shit”, and in 1995 produced her first album, “Fancypants Hoodlum”. The “Peaches” persona emerged, pushing her into fame with her unusual, sexually centered, gender questioning and thought provoking music. She has produced three albums, Teaches of Peaches, Father Fucker, Impeach My Bush and has just completed her fourth album, which is yet to be named.

I smiled with pseudo sister-pride as Merrill told me about her work ; She has played with the likes of Elastica, Bjork, Marilyn Manson and the Queens of the Stone Age. Even Merrill’s room mate, Indie singer-songwriter, Feist (a.k.a. Leslie Feist), got in on her act as bitch lap lap, a sock puppet. Merrill has done remixes for many musicians including Yoko Ono and the B52’s, and has guest appearances on albums by artists such as Iggy Pop and Pink. She’s also doing a huge spring/summer DJ tour across Europe this year. When asked about her favourite artists, she listed Diamada Galas, Iggy Pop, Nina Simone , Grace Jones, Bowie and Prince. Merrill has a huge following all over the world. Even Madonna can boast to having a signed pair of Peaches’ bikini bottoms.

Merrill lives in Berlin with her long time boyfriend, Connie, who runs several underground music clubs in the Berlin area. Merrill is most proud of an art exhibit called “Peach Pit, a Fan Base” , which is a cave covered in human hair, constructed out of over three hundred articles of clothing thrown on stage during her shows. This art exhibit was installed at the Biennale de Montreal, 2007. Merrill hopes to be involved in more artistic projects in the future.

Merrill’s secret to success: ” I’ve always stuck to my guns and trusted myself. Making my own album, and inventing my own way.”

The best part about doing this interview was recognizing that Peaches is

underneath it all, the highly original, Merrill Nisker; unaffected, sweet, extremely bright and articulate. Always questioning, pushing the boundaries, forever evolving…a true artist.

More: www.peachesrocks.com

 > A version of this article by Rena Godfrey also appeared in the Canadian Jewish News.