Born in Santa Monica, California, Palmer graduated the Berklee College of Music in Boston before moving to New York where she wasted no time in recording her self-titled, debut album (released on Reprise Records, a Warner Bros.-affiliated label). Palmer then spent the next year crisscrossing the US and Europe in its support, touring with such acts as k.d. lang, Shawn Colvin and Paula Cole. The tour's end landed Palmer in London, England where she hooked up with producer Howie B (U2 and Björk) to track her second album, Tender Hooks (given 4 stars by Britain's The Mail on Sunday).

It was at this time in Palmer's career that she was invited by David Bowie to sing on his album Hours. Palmer was featured on the opening track "Thursday's Child". Palmer spent the next year touring the world with Bowie.