Forget Peaches, Amanda Palmer is electro-pop’s new synth disco queen with shoulder pads.
At least for the next decade, the 21st Century’s difficult T(w)eens. And like a difficult teen, the land of music proper is unsure where to put Amanda Palmer, what box to pop her in. So they corner her off with the freaks and anarchists and queers and intellectual radical post-pop new human punk-ists. Thank God, really. She’s like a new gen Kylie, but with underarm hair.
But unlike Our Kylie – who was so eager to run away to London (London… really? No wonder she’s only JUST breaking the US market) – Our Mandy is eager to be with us! Here! In Australia! With her broad boisterous Boston accent! Which we’ll forgive! Because she wrote an album specifically for us, called Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under! And because it’s full of music that makes us dance. And think. That and she makes us laugh.
And laugh we shall this Friday, February 4, when Amanda Palmer blows Perth apart with her long anticipated appearance at The Fly By Night. So lock up your sons, daughters, and signifying others… Ms Palmer is gonna get you off. OUTinPerth rang her up in Canberra moments before heading off on an anarchist bike ride with 100 fans, ending with a secret gig on a secret island only anarchists know exist. Ummm… whomever said Canberra was dull, please take note!
Amanda Palmer, why did you make an Australian themed album? Because I love the fucking Australians. I feel incredibly at home here. Artistically and emotionally. I started touring here back in 2005 with The Dresden Dolls and I looked up one day and realised I had a core of Australian and New Zealand themed songs. I pondered the idea of putting out a tour EP and by the time I added a couple of cover songs and a couple of collaborations with Australian song writing friends and I had a full album.
What is it about Australia you do love so much? I think I love how messy and brave the people are. The quality and enthusiasm of my fans in Australia is unparalleled.
In the video to your lead single, Map of Tasmania, there are a variety of vagina wigs – or merkins – on display. Amanda Palmer, are you bringing merkins back? Only for the film clip! At my show in Canberra last night I had this collection of gorgeous boys and girls rock up, all dressed in black fishnet body suits with fuzzy pink merkins that spelt out my name when they all stood in a row. That was the best Australian present I’ve gotten on this entire tour. I’ve got a picture, I’ll post it on my blog (http://www.amandapalmer.net).
Well that was my next question, what can fans expect when they come to see you, but I think it should now be what can Amanda Palmer expect from her fans?! It’s definitely a collaboration every night. I fucking love my fans. I feel like one of the luckiest artists in the world. They are so intelligent and creative.
Amada Palmer appears at The Fly By Night on Friday February 4. Tickets are available now from Fly By Night by calling or (08) 9430 5976 or visiting www.flybynight.org. Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under is out now through Liberator Music.
And for those heading to Mardi Gras, watch out for Amanda Palmer’s first DJ set at the official Mardi Gras Party. See www.amandapalmer.net for more details.
Image Courtesy by Jo Duck
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
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