Amanda Palmer

Infobox musical artist
Name = Amanda Palmer
Background = solo_singer


Img_capt = Amanda Palmer in 2008
Birth_name = Amanda MacKinnon Palmer
Born = birth date and age|1976|4|30
Origin = New York City, NY (born) / Lexington, Massachusetts (raised)
Died =
Genre = Alternative rock
Punk rock
Dark Cabaret
Occupation = Artist, Performer, Musician, Songwriter
Instrument = Voice, Keyboard, Piano, Ukulele
Associated_acts = The Dresden Dolls
Evelyn Evelyn
URL = http://amandapalmer.net
Years_active = 1995 - Present
First_album =
Latest_album =
Notable_albums =
Notable_songs =
Label =

Amanda MacKinnon Palmer (born April 30, 1976) is a performer most noted for being the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the "Brechtian punk cabaret" duo The Dresden Dolls. [cite episode | title = Band Tries to Make It Big Without Going Broke | url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6885355 | series = All Things Considered
credits = interview by [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100196 Chris Arnold] | network = National Public Radio | airdate = 2007-01-17 The [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6885355 web page] also has audio and a transcript of the interview, and links to several of their songs.]

Biography

Palmer grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. She attended Lexington High School, where she was heavily involved in the drama department, and received her B.A. from Wesleyan University. She worked for some time at an ice cream shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts called Toscanini's. She staged performances based on work by the Legendary Pink Dots, an early influence, and was involved in the Legendary Pink Dots electronic mailing list, Cloud Zero. She then formed the Shadowbox Collective, devoted to putting on theatrical shows (such as the 2002 play, "Hotel Blanc", ["Boston Phoenix" [http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/music/live/documents/02157185.htm review of "Hotel Blanc"] ] which she directed) and street theatre, and busked as a living statue called "The Eight Foot Bride" in Harvard Square as well as in many other locations. She references this line of work on The Dresden Dolls' self-titled CD, with the song "The Perfect Fit":

"I can paint my face
And stand very, very still
It's not very practical
But it still pays the bills"

as well as on the "A is for Accident" track "Glass Slipper":

"I give out flowers
To curious strangers
who throw dollars at my feet."

A group of white-painted living statues appears in the music video to the single "Sing" from the Dresden Dolls' album "Yes, Virginia...."

Despite the fact that Palmer never learned to read music (though she briefly took lessons at two different times), she started a solo effort, appropriately named "Amanda Palmer and the Void."

The Dresden Dolls

In October 2000, Palmer met drummer Brian Viglione and together they formed the Dresden Dolls. In an effort to expand the performance experience and interactivity, Palmer began inviting Lexington High School students to perform drama pieces at her live shows. Currently, the Dirty Business Brigade, a troupe of seasoned and new artists, perform at many gigs. The invited costumed characters mingle with the crowd before and during the show, and veteran groups sometimes join in with a choreographed stage act. Life-sized marionettes, coin-operated boys, living statues, and other undergroundlings greet fans while circus and burlesque draw the audience into the Dolls' music, creating a participatory atmosphere that allows the audience to experience numerous types of art simultaneously.

In 2006, the "Dresden Dolls Companion",Dresden Dolls Companion, by Amanda Palmer, eight foot music publishing, June, 2006, ISBN 157560888X ISBN 978-1575608884] was published, with "words, music & artwork" by Amanda Palmer. In it she has written a history of the album "The Dresden Dolls" and of the duo, as well as a partial autobiography. The book also contains the lyrics, sheet music, and notes on each song in the album, all written by her, as well as a DVD with a 20 minute interview of Amanda about making the book.

In June 2007, as part of the Dresden Dolls, she toured with the True Colors Tour 2007, [ [http://www.truecolorstour.com/ True Colors Tour web site.] ] including her debut in New York City's Radio City Music Hall,cite news
first = Nate
last = Chinen
coauthors = photos by Hiroyuki Ito
title = Power to the People (and Some Pop Too)
url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/20/arts/music/20true.html?8dpc
work = The New York Times
publisher = The New York Times Company
pages = B1,B5
date = 2007-06-20
accessdaymonth = 9 Nov
accessyear = 2007
quote = A much more musical brand of theatricality animated the Dresden Dolls, a duo consisting of the pianist Amanda Palmer and the drummer Brian Viglione. Their set was a concise demonstration of cabaret-punk. Ms. Palmer, singing throatily at an electric keyboard, held her own not only on the band staple “Coin-Operated Boy” but also even amid the bombast of “War Pigs,” the Black Sabbath screed. ] and her first review in the New York Times.

July 2008 saw the release of the second Dresden Dolls book, the "Virginia Companion".Virginia Companion, by Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione, Cherry Lane Music Company, July 2008, ISBN 1603780793 ISBN 978-1603780797] It is a follow-up to the Dresden Dolls Companion, featuring the music and lyrics from the "Yes, Virginia..." and "No, Virginia..." albums.

Amanda Palmer and the Onion Cellar

Palmer conceived a musical, The Onion Cellar, which the Dresden Dolls performed in conjunction with the American Repertory Theatre at the Zero Arrow Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from December 9, 2006 to January 13, 2007. [cite web
url = http://amrep.org/onion/
title = THE ONION CELLAR
accessdaymonth = 3 Dec
accessyear = 2007
work = Web site of the American Repertory Theatre
publisher = American Repertory Theatre
quote = Inside the small confines of the mysterious club The Onion Cellar, the internationally renowned rock duo The Dresden Dolls provides nightly entertainment while a series of stories unfold around them. As singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione play their songs, the Onion Cellar becomes a space where rock and roll meets cabaret with humor and humanity. "World Premiere."] [cite web
url = http://www.thephoenix.com/OnTheDownload/PermaLink.aspx?guid=3634f0e3-a628-4230-90fc-d39925783c24
title = Dresden Dolls take the ART
author = On The Download editors
work = On The Download
coauthors = photo by Kelly Davidson
accessdaymonth = 21 Aug
accessyear = 2006
date = 2005-04-20
publisher = The Phoenix Media/Communications Group
quote = The Dresden Dolls are taking the world by storm. This punk cabaret duo from Boston are incredible musicians whose smart, personal, intricate songs and mesmerizing live performance have earned them a cult following. Now don’t tell anyone, but there’s a rumor that the Dolls may be appearing at a bizarre underground club somewhere in Cambridge – an Onion Cellar, where the audience peel onions for emotional release, where you never quite know who’s sitting next to you, where your life could change forever.]

olo career

Palmer's solo album, "Who Killed Amanda Palmer", was released on 16 September 2008. [cite web
url = http://dresdendollsdiary.blogspot.com/2008/05/fishpeoplebelly.html
title = fish/people/belly
accessdaymonth = 10 May
accessyear = 2008
last = Palmer
first = Amanda
authorlink = http://www.myspace.com/whokilledamandapalmer
date = 2008-05-10
work = The Dresden Dolls Diary
quote = the solo record got re-mastered and it's.....mind-blowing. it's so good. it's sooooooo gooooooooooooooooooooooood. so i feel safe in a deep way. because as long as the record is amazing then i can fuck everything else up and it's technically ok. it will be released september 16th. that is now like christmas day for me. it is four months away. that seems long.] Ben Folds produced and also played on the album. [cite web
url = http://www.spin.com/features/news/2007/04/070425_apalmer
title = Dresden Doll Preps Solo Debut
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
date = 2007-04-25
work = spin.com music for life
publisher = spin.com
quote = The Dresden Dolls' Amanda Palmer chats with SPIN.com about her forthcoming solo effort.] [cite web
url = http://www.theshadowbox.net/ddbb/viewtopic.php?p=356594&highlight=#356594
title = here to dispel.
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
last = Palmer
first = Amanda
date = 2007-04-01
work = Speculation: Solo Album Title
publisher = The Dresden Dolls
quote = ... i am recording the solo album....in nashville, at ben folds' studio, with ben, who is producing the record and playing on it.] The title is a play on an expression used by fans during "Twin Peaks"' original run, "Who killed Laura Palmer?"

“I think for a long time I felt like I had to scream to get my point across until I finally realized maybe that’s not the best way,” said Palmer in an [http://venuszine.com/articles/music/features/4292/The_Dresden_Dolls_Amanda_Palmer_grows_up_and_dies_on_her_solo_debut article] in [http://www.venuszine.com Venus Zine] .

In July 2007, Amanda played three sold out shows (Boston, Hoboken, and NYC) in rare "with band" performances. Her backing band was Boston alternative rock group Aberdeen City, who also opened along with Dixie Dirt.

In August 2007, Amanda traveled to perform in the Spiegeltent and other venues at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, and also performed on BBC 2's "The Edinburgh Show". She collaborated with Australian theater company, "The Danger Ensemble"; both again appeared at the Spiegeltent in Melbourne and at other venues around Australia in December 2007.

In September 2007 Amanda collaborated with Jason Webley to release Evelyn Evelyn's debut EP "Elephant Elephant" via Jason's [http://www.elevenrecords.com/ Eleven Records] .

In June 2008, Amanda established her solo career with two well-received performances with the Boston Pops. [cite web
url = http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/06/20/all_dolled_up_at_the_pops/
title = All dolled up at the Pops - Palmer brings the edge but the fest needs more
accessdaymonth = 07 Jun
accessyear = 2008
last = Eichler
first = Jeremy
authorlink =
date = 2008-06-20
work = The Boston Globe
publisher = NY Times Co.
quote = Last night in Symphony Hall, Amanda Palmer brought some spark and much-needed edge to the Boston Pops's EdgeFest. On her own terms, Palmer, in strong gravelly voice, gave a richly satisfying performance that had this crowd roaring far more than most in Symphony Hall. But even she couldn't overcome the deeper tensions that make the EdgeFest a strained format.] [cite web
url = http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Music/63574-All-Dolled-up/
title = All Dolled up, Amanda Palmer and the Boston Pops, Symphony Hall, June 19, 2008
accessdaymonth = 28 Jun
accessyear = 2008
last = Smith
first = Rachel
authorlink = http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Authors/RACHEL-HOLLIDAY-SMITH/
date = 2008-06-20
work = The Boston Phoenix
publisher = Phoenix Media/Communications Group
quote = Last night, Amanda Palmer kicked off this season of the Boston Pops EdgeFest, the orchestra’s collaboration with younger, “edgier” bands and performers drawing the iPod generation into Symphony Hall. The choice of pairing Palmer with the Pops lead me to wonder if the Pops had ever listened to a Dresden Dolls album or seen The Onion Cellar or, you know, met her.] [cite web
url =
title =
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
last = Palmer
first = Amanda
date = 2007-04-01
work = Speculation: Solo Album Title
publisher = The Dresden Dolls
quote = ... i am recording the solo album....in nashville, at ben folds' studio, with ben, who is producing the record and playing on it.]

She has amassed an online following of over 60,000 people. [cite web
url = http://www.myspace.com/whokilledamandapalmer
title = Amanda Palmer - Alternative / Rock / Other
accessdaymonth = 07 Jul
accessyear = 2008
publisher = myspace.com
quote = Amanda Palmer has 61053 friends. This friend count is as of the access date, and is the number of distinct myspace accounts that have asked for regular bulletins from the artist.]

cite web | url =]

Personal life

Amanda's residence in Boston, the Cloud Club, was the subject of a 2006 Documentary on the Boston Channel website as well as YouTube.

Amanda practices meditation and has written an article "Melody vs. Meditation," [cite web
url = http://theworsthorse.net/amandapalmer/amandapalmer.html
title = Melody vs. Meditation
accessdaymonth = September 19
accessyear = 2008
date = 09/19/2008
work = May 2008 Issue, Shambhala Sun
publisher = original publisher = Shambhala Sun Foundation, but the article can be found, with permission at, theworsthorse.blogspot.com] for the Buddhist Publication Shambhala Sun on the struggle between being a songwriter and being able to clear one's mind in order to meditate.

She identifies as bisexual. [cite web
url = http://www.247gay.com/article.cfm?section=68&id=9942
title = Interview: Dresden Dolls' Amanda Palmer
accessdaymonth = 7 Dec
accessyear = 2007
date = 2006-07-17
work = 247Gay.com
publisher = GayWired.com
quote = I figured out that I was bisexual when I was a teenager. ] "I'm bisexual, but it's not the sort of thing I spent a lot of time thinking about," Palmer said. "I've slept with girls; I've slept with guys, so I guess that's what they call it! I'm not anti trying to use language to simplify our lives." [cite news
first = Trish
last = Bendix
title = Getting Real With Amanda Palmer
url = http://www.afterellen.com/people/2007/7/amandapalmer?page=0%2C0
work = After Ellen
publisher = logonline.com
page = 1
date = 2007-07-18
accessdaymonth = 4 Dec
accessyear = 2007 ] "I actually tend to like really femmey girls," Palmer said. "You can deconstruct this with armchair psychology and really nail me, but I like girls about my body type and about my mix of masculine and feminine." [cite news
first = Trish
last = Bendix
title = Getting Real With Amanda Palmer
url = http://www.afterellen.com/people/2007/7/amandapalmer?page=0%2C1
work = After Ellen
publisher = logonline.com
page = 2
date = 2007-07-18
accessdaymonth = 4 Dec
accessyear = 2007 ]

Awards and honors

*2007 - placed #6 on Spinner.com's "Women Who Rock Right Now". [cite web
url = http://www.spinner.com/2007/07/15/women-who-rock-right-now-no-6/
title = Women Who Rock Right Now: No. 6
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
author = Spinner Staff
coauthors = [hoto by Sarah Komar, WireImage
date = 2007-07-15
work = Spinner
publisher = Spinner.com
quote = Who: Amanda PalmerBirthplace: Lexington, Mass.Sound: Cabaret punk

Palmer -- one-half of Boston's Brechtian punk cabaret duo the Dresden Dolls -- ain't no damsel in distress. The former street artist chokeholds her demons, teetering between sinister screeches and whimsical whispers of alcohol, self-mutilation and sexual exploration, while discordantly pummeling the piano -- stocking-clad legs akimbo -- in a sultry, sinful self-deprecation exorcism. ]
*2006 - the Boston Globe named her the most stylish woman in Boston. [cite web
url = http://www.boston.com/yourlife/fashion/gallery/1102_top25?pg=54
title = Boston's Stylish 25
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
author = Christopher Muther
year = 2006
work = Boston Globe
publisher = The New York Times Company
quote = Dresden Dolls lead singer Amanda Palmer, quite literally, has a rockstar wardrobe. ]
*2006 - listed in Blender Magazine's hottest women of rock. [cite web
url = http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2295&src=blender_ed
title = Hottest Women of…Rock!
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
author = Mike Errico
month = December | year = 2006
work = Blender.com
publisher = Dennis Digital, Inc.
quote = Amanda Palmer -The pianist and singer of Brechtian Boston duo Dresden Dolls mashes up punk rock and cabaret, sings about transsexuals and explores the elaborate deceptions that alcoholics commit daily. ]
*2005 - won Best Female Vocalist in the WFNX/Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll. [cite web
url = http://bestuff.com/stuff/amanda-palmer
title = Amanda Palmer
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
author = Half Jack
work = Bestuff
publisher = bestuff.com
quote = In the 2005 WFNX /Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll, Palmer won Best Female Vocalist. ] [cite web
url = http://www.thoughtworthy.com/product.cgim?cookie_refresh=1&partner=twm&tab=ABOUT%20THE%20ARTIST&product_id=1383
title = The Dresden Dolls
accessdaymonth = 7 Dec
accessyear = 2007
publisher = ThoughtWorthy Media, Inc.
quote = In the 2005 WFNX/Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll The Dresden Dolls won Best Local Act and Best Local Album. Amanda Palmer also won Best Female Vocalist. ]

Discography

Albums

As a solo artist

* "High School Demotape" (1997)
* "5 song Demotape" (1998)
* "Who Killed Amanda Palmer" (2008) #77 US [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Albums]

As part of The Dresden Dolls

* "The Dresden Dolls" (2002)
* "A Is for Accident" (2003)
* "The Dresden Dolls" (2003)
* "The Dresden Dolls" (reissue) (2004)
* "Yes, Virginia..." (2006)
* "No, Virginia..." (2008)

Collaborations

* "Everybody Hurts" (with "Cormac Bride" on "Stereogum Presents... DRIVE XV: A Tribute to Automatic For the People") (2007)
* "Elephant Elephant" (with "Jason Webley" as Evelyn Evelyn) (2007) [cite web
url = http://www.elevenrecords.com/09_elephant.html
title = Elephant Elephant
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
author = Evelyn Evelyn
year = 2007
publisher = Eleven Records
quote = About a year ago Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls and Jason Webley received Myspace messages from the most unusual profile either of them had ever seen - conjoined twin sisters, both named Evelyn. Intrigued and charmed, they began corresponding with the twins hoping to lure them into the studio. The result is an EP that sounds like something the Andrews Sisters might have recorded if they had grown up in the circus listening to new wave music.] [cite web
url = http://www.myspace.com/everythingevelyn
title = Evelyn Evelyn
accessdaymonth = 8 Dec
accessyear = 2007
author = Evelyn Evelyn
year = 2007
quote = ]
* "Stuck with You" (with "Voltaire" on "Ooky Spooky") (2007)
* "The Lovers" (with "Meredith Yayanos") on "Brainwaves" (2006)
* "Life", "Eight Days of Hell" and "Witch's Web" (with "…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead" on "So Divided") (2006)
*Amanda Palmer has appeared with Meow Meow.
* "Warsaw Is Khelm" (with "Golem!" on "Fresh Off Boat") (2006)
* "Circus Freak Love Triangle" (with "Hierosonic" on "Pornos and Razorblades") (2005)
* "Trudy" (with "Ad Frank and the Fast Easy Women" on "In Girl Trouble") (2003)

Cameo appearances

* '"Let Me Borrow That Top" (by Liam Kyle Sullivan aka. "Kelly") (2004) appearing briefly in the mall scene.

Bibliography

*"Dresden Dolls Companion", by Amanda Palmer, eight foot music publishing, June, 2006, ISBN 157560888X ISBN 978-1575608884
*"The Dresden Dolls - The Virginia Companion", by The Dresden Dolls, Cherry Lane Music Company, July 2008, ISBN 1603780793 ISBN 978-1603780797

ee also

*Brian Viglione
*Dark Cabaret
*List of Dark cabaret artists
*World/Inferno Friendship Society
*The Tiger Lillies
*Klaus Nomi
*Salon Betty
*Gavin Friday
*Nina Hagen

External links

* [http://amandapalmer.net/ Amanda Palmer's official site]
* [http://www.whokilledamandapalmer.com/ Who Killed Amanda Palmer] website
*Amanda Palmer's [http://www.dresdendolls.com/bio/bio_amanda.htm autobiography] and [http://www.dresdendolls.com/diary/ blog] on the [http://www.dresdendolls.com Dresden Dolls website]
*MySpace|id=whokilledamandapalmer
*YouTube user|amandapalmer|Amanda Palmer's

Notes