Amanda Palmer birthday post

I've been known to annoy the shit out of people concerning my adoration of Amanda Palmer. Repeatedly. Now who knew that today on her 33rd birthday that is PRECISELY what I am supposed to do? To wit, her birthday post on her website's blog:

what i want for my birthday. really.

hola comrades!

i’d like to thank you all for your many birthday wishes…they’ve come flooding in via twitter, myspace, theshadowbox.net and email…the love has been profuse, profane and profound and, just…thank you. thank you and i love you. i’m so happy.

i’ve spent all week composing an epic open letter to robert smith. he turned 50 on tuesday. i was hoping to get it posted up for his birthday. i failed. it was just too much, too long. i think it might turn into a novel. which he’ll never read. i digress.

it’s april 30th and i’m 33. this is what i’ve always referred to as JESUS YEAR.

yes, the year christ bit the bullet.

it’s easy to get pissed at him. he accomplished so much in so little time. betch.

i am also angry, in a similar way, at the beatles. “please, please me” came out in 1963, “abbey road” in 1969 (“let it be” doesn’t count) and in between they put out god knows how many songs into the universe and changed who fucking knows how much about the world and the people in it and what they were doing and thinking. when they disbanded, john lennon was TWENTY-NINE (and was the OLDEST FUCKING BEATLE). betch.

this shit is just ridiculous. let’s not get into it.

i’ve accomplished plenty, and i’m proud of what i’ve done, and i have no regrets, and everything is just fucking awesome.

period.

let’s leave it at that.

NOW. lots of you have asked me WHAT I WANT for my birthday. i am going to actually ask, for the first time in my life, for a gift. from you. my people.

here is what i’d like for my birthday:

please take this moment in time and think about one person, any person, who you think might like my music and my art. someone who doesn’t know it. someone who does not have amanda fucking palmer in their life and might like her there. this does not have to be a peer. it could be a child, a mother, an ex, an uncle, an befriended enemy, a co-worker, a long-lost friend, a teacher, a whatever. ANYONE.

picture them in your mind. picture if their life might possibly be made better if you brought some afp into it.


NOW:
please send/get to them them either of the following (in any format your lifestyle or computer literacy allows for. and explain why you are sending this. explain why you like this artist. explain that it’s her birthday and she’s asked you, as a favor to her, to do this. the worst they will do is delete your email, tell you to fuck off, or disown you)

either
1) a copy of WHO KILLED AMANDA PALMER. if you don’t think they have the attention span for the whole album, send them a track.

or
2) a youtube clip of one of your favorite AFP videos.

here are some options:

leeds united:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJ9z_LowBI&fmt=18

the shocking oasis video, (banned in the uk!!! use this fact to impress your younger siblings):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C17yfGyJjM&fmt=18

the who killed amanda palmer video series by michael pope:
astronaut:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O6GqCwjh-k&fmt=18
ampersand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh46Rsgtl2s&fmt=18
runs in the family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_JFjY5Y0Os&fmt=18
the point of it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AResxnZrY5k&fmt=18
strength through music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-WXhw1KLwk&fmt=18
guitar hero:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJVWSu5Nfi8&fmt=18


and if they’re a hard sell, try……

me playing creep in the audience at the middle east (always a good way to convince people i’m not too evil):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek5ZNgw8Vdk&fmt=18

and if ALL ELSE FAILS…..

send THIS (and if YOU haven’t seen it….just….go watch it. it’s amazing. i had a blog to write about it, but i fucked off. i will later. promise.) it’s me, in harvard sqaure last summer, lip-synching “everybody’s gotta live.” even your great-grandmother will like it. i swear:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glq_vb0A-yg&fmt=18

please let me know how it goes. twitter, comment, email, whatevs.

i want to know how this experiment works.

whether you fully understand it or not, i rely on you to make my life work. this is part of how we do it. i am so glad you’re here. i am so glad i’m here. i am so glad we’re here.

i can’t think of a better gift.

love,
Amanda Fucking Palmer
Lexington, MA

Happy 33rd birthday, Amanda!

The attached video contains a wondrous collection of all things I love:

a) Amanda Palmer
b) a black The Who t-shirt
c) The Rocky Horror Picture Show

April 30, 1976. Amanda Palmer is born. And the world smiled.

"And Flash Gordon was there in silver underwear..."

Amanda Fucking Palmer

I first saw Amanda Palmer as she sang in The Dresden Dolls way back in May 2005 as a fly-by-night trip from Greensboro to Chicago. They opened up for Nine Inch Nails on an intimate club/theater tour. It was awesome! And just one of those crazy "fly to a different city just to see a band" experiences that leaves a permanent mark. I found The Dresden Dolls (and Amanda especially) to be intoxicating.

Last November, I caught Amanda in Asheville for another quick and harried concert. Work until 4pm, drive the 2 1/2 hours to Asheville, see the show, then drive the 2 1/2 hours back home. Still, so incredible in the cozy venue of the Orange Peel.

My most recent Amanda sighting occurred last night at The Arts Center in Carrboro, NC on the Chapel Hill city line. This concert took the cake. Leaving NIN out of the equation, this Amanda Palmer experience blew that one away. Easily.

Let's rewind a bit. UNC was playing a basketball game to make it to the Final Four at 5:00pm. The concert was merely a 1/2 mile away from Carolina Brewery in Chapel Hill. Sooooo....a drive for dinner and brews at Carolina Brewery while watching UNC stomp Oklahoma on the TV's. A fun time to be in the middle of so much "Carolina blue" watching the game...while I stick out with my black 2008 Amanda Palmer tour t-shirt. Funny.

The game is over and I walk to the Arts Center. A tiny little spot. So intimate and cozy. Close to the stage. The audience members are right on top of one another, and the stage is virtually reachable with the slightest reach of your arm. A lot of banter, a lot of give and take, a lot of audience participation. This was the final night of her lengthy tour since August, and it was bittersweet: she wanted to be done with such a long tour, yet did not want the limelight to extinguish just yet. It made for a very introspective and personal show. It. Was. Awesome.

Afterward, she stated she would sign items for fans once she emerged from backstage. The crowd waited. And waited. Finally we were all rewarded with an opportunity to meet Amanda. And I do mean ALL of us. She patiently spoke with whomever wanted to wait. She did not rush anyone along. She did not act like a celebrity prima donna. We were not wasting her time.

It came time for me. I bought a poster. My heartbeat began to flutter. I came up to her and asked her to sign my poster. It began easy enough...

Can you make it out to Christopher?
- Spelled the normal way?
Yes the normal way.
- I hope you enjoyed the show.
I did. I oh so much did.

And then our eyes met and apparently the muse spoke within me and I began celebrating her music and her style and that her songs are truly wonderful and they strike a chord within my heart. I then tell her, "The best adjective I can describe you when I hear your voice is 'enchanting'."

Her eyes well up with tears. She wraps her arms around my neck. And then she plants one upon my lips. No quick peck and be gone. Nice, soft, and slow. My mind immediately is dazed and I am in a fog.

Amanda Palmer just kissed me.

I don't remember much for the immediate time thereafter. I frankly was spellbound. Did a rock star just plant one on me? Wow. We then took a photo:



This was awesome.

No one ever seems to know what I'm talking about when I profess my love for her and her music. Who? Amanda Who? The Dresden Who? Well, as a public service and as an informational post, here is an array of various song styles and tempos and volumes that can give you a snippet of the reasons of my adoration for her.

First, some Dresden Dolls videos:



And now, some Amanda Palmer solo videos:



Here are two dark ones (as in visible light, not necessarily due to subject matter) that I took personally from my seat Sunday night:



And finally the one I most rock out to and dance around and bop my head:



And in case by some strange chance you missed it earlier:

Wow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

To all of you with loved ones, significant others, partners, etc. I wish you and yours a very happy Valentine's Day. May you use this day to remind each other what you mean to each other and profess your undying love to the end of time.

Me? I used to really adore this upcoming song. A tune that stated the determined adoration and commitment that one could have for another. If you were to die, and no one would be there to accompany you into the void, fear not...I would come with you. Death Cab for Cutie originally did it, and the exquisitely beautiful Amanda Palmer covered it. I Will Follow You Into the Dark.

A particularly touching verse boasted of world travels, of seeing the world with the one you love. With the one you adore. It'll be fine at the end of time, 'til death do us part, because our life was full and eventful and you know what, we saw it all. "You and me, have seen everything to see, from Bangkok to Calgary..."

Enjoy. Maybe this song could be a part of your life:


But now? For me?

Fuck Valentine's Day.

$500 well spent.

Over on Facebook (yes I am indeed on Facebook, and actually one of the last of the ONU pharmacy group to sign up), regular HofG reader and commenter "Duke" wrote:

Come on Flash...hows about a picture of the $500 money shot from your concert a few days ago?

The Dresden Dolls tune Coin-Operated Boy is funked up and disco-fied to a bass-thumping rave beat while the $500 breasts appear. Hazy and fuzzy, but technically NSFW (that's "not safe for work" you n00bs!)

One to never disappoint the readers, here you go:

Ampersand

I'm not gonna watch you while you burn yourself out baby
No I'm not gonna stop you
Cause I'm not the one that's crazy

Asheville Q&A with Amanda Palmer

Article hits the paper before the show Friday night:

Amanda Palmer gets some unexpected help

Jedd Ferris • published November 14, 2008 12:15 am

Amanda Palmer wanted to make her debut solo album a personal bedroom-style affair - just her quietly banging out some songs at home on her piano.

But then the singer of the punk cabaret group the Dresden Dolls got an unexpected call from Ben Folds expressing admiration and offering his Nashville studio to make the record. As a result, “Who Killed Amanda Palmer?” - a reference to the ‘90s serial drama “Twin Peaks” - turned into a much more multi-faceted artistic expression than initially expected.

With Folds producing and lending his talents on a handful of instruments, the disc jumps from whimsical indie pop to mellow piano ballads to moments of orchestral bombast. Palmer is about to release a companion book to the album with the help of graphic novelist Neil Gaiman, and she is currently touring behind the disc with some visual enhancement from the Danger Ensemble theater group.

Palmer visits the Orange Peel on Friday night. She shared some thoughts on a variety of subjects.

On Ben Folds

“The disc evolved into more than I initially anticipated when Ben called me up and asked if he could produce my record. It was a blessing that came at the right time. As soon as he got involved, the project really took off. It was going to be short and simple and uncomplicated, but it blossomed into a full production monster. I just started saying ‘yes' to spontaneous randomness that Ben was suggesting. I was up for anything.”

On recording in Nashville

“Nashville treated me just fine. I was living in a straight line between Ben's studio on Music Row and a yoga studio. I was planning on recording at home, but Ben's studio had a really inspirational vibe. It was old school and storied. It felt like walking into a church. I felt honored to be there.”

On the Danger Ensemble

“I'm bringing a crazy theater circus with me. It's been hard to try to describe to people what exactly it is. It's like a weird Madonna show meets 'The Wall' in three dimensions. There are definitely moments of solo piano in the show, but interspersed between every other song there are four actors on stage doing beautiful choreographed theater. It feels like a live music video. Some of it is very slow and reflective, and some is fast and furious. Every show feels like we're really putting something on.”

On the companion book

“It came about just as randomly as everything else. I had a collection of photos I wanted to use for the album artwork, but the record label cut the packaging budget. In typical Amanda Palmer style, I decided to do it myself and put out a book. I asked Neil to write some text, and miraculously he said yes. I wanted a touchable piece of art to go along with the music. It's exciting, especially in these times of trying to figure out where the income is going to come from, now that the chances of selling a CD, even to one of your fans, is slim.”

On enhancing music with art

“I was brought up in the early MTV days, when every artist was a multimedia artist and wore cool costumes. I was also started doing music theater when I was a little kid. I put music and theater in the same box, and I think they enhance each other naturally. I'm excited about things that add to the atmosphere of a band. I'd be bored just writing songs and delivering them.”

Who Killed Amanda Palmer?

Friday was a busy night. I worked 8-4, raced home to let the dogs out, feed and water them, then hit the road for the 2 & 1/2 hour drive over to Asheville for a concert.

Amanda Palmer live at The Orange Peel - Social Aid and Pleasure Club. The lead singer of the duo The Dresden Dolls out on a solo tour for her CD Who Killed Amanda Palmer?.

Show starts at 9:00pm, doors open at 8:00. Got to downtown Asheville by 7:00. Time for dinner! But where? Hmmmm....I vote Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria. A good choice. 55 taps of good beer, great pizza, and walking distance to The Orange Peel. Big win. Huge score. Catawba Valley Brewing's Uber Pale Ale and Hyper Monkey Coffee Stout were consumed. Tasty wares from a western NC brewery.

Then it was off to the show. The Orange Peel was a warm and personal arena. Standing room only, outside of some tall tables with swiveling bar stools in the back. Bar stools because The Orange Peel had a full bar....open throughout the entire show. Western NC's Wedge Brewing's Porter and Pisgah Brewing's Pale Ale, plus Sweetwater (GA) Brewing's 420 Pale Ale all quenched the thirst just fine in the venue.

Two bands opened with 30-minute sets each: the sister cabaret act Vermillion Lies and then The Builders and the Butchers. Vermillion Lies was kitschy and intriguing, but just odd enough to not want to buy anything off iTunes to add to the collection. One of the sisters (Zoe) was just pretty enough to gawk at, and became even prettier when she worked the crowd and hugged me. (I am a starfucker.) The Builders and the Butchers was rocking and hippie enough to warrant a $9.99 purchase online for the iPod. Thunderous percussion as a backdrop for banjo and ukulele. Enjoyable.

Then at 10:00pm, the beautiful Amanda Palmer took the stage with the "Danger Ensemble". Four performance artists from Australia who would, appropriately enough, perform during some numbers. Solo works from Who Killed Amanda Palmer? plus older works from The Dresden Dolls were played for 2 hours and 45 minutes. One of the encores was Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer, which was interrupted for an onstage deconstruction of the lyrics: "It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not" followed by "take my hand and we'll make it I swear". Well, which is it Jon?

The Danger Ensemble is unabashedly a "street performance troupe", coming on tour with Amanda for no pay. This is no big budget tour. There may have been 800 people total at the show. 800. So the troupe made their way through the crowd with their boots off soliciting donations for the tour. Amanda made the proclamation that if someone gave $500 she would show the audience (her words) "[my] tits".

Someone gave $500.

The final encore was a mini-rave onstage which ended with Amanda doing a burlesque routine and removing her top. She is a woman of her word. There was thunderous approval.

An intimate performance. Great sound coming from just a piano (plus the occasional accompaniment by a violinist).

Then, it was the 2 & 1/2 hour drive back home to Greensboro. 3:30am and I fall into bed with the dogs. Kimberly is out of town in Florida for yet another healthcare PAC conference so she missed out. When we saw The Dresden Dolls open for Nine Inch Nails on a small club tour in Chicago a few years ago, Kimberly wasn't that impressed. Chris was. So it worked out well for seeing Amanda perform once again for those who enjoy her.

A great time in, according to Amanda, "this blue oasis in a red sea".