WERS 88.9 fm - Artist Interview: Amanda Palmer's Second Act

January 5^th, 2009

For Amanda Palmer, the multifaceted front woman of Boston's own Dresden Dolls, the year ahead stands to be a year of transition. Although she says it was a mistake on the end of the Boston Pops, her recent New Years Eve performance with the Orchestra billed her as being "formerly of The Dresden Dolls," a fact that speaks to the shrinking role the project plays in her career. In 2008, she released a critically acclaimed solo debut, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, and as we spoke in her South End apartment, nestled on the second floor of an artist commune known as Cloud Club, Palmer said she's planning to uproot herself from Boston and move to New York.

"I've been saying I'm going to leave Boston for four years now. It's gotten to the point where when I say I'm going to move to New York my friends just laugh at me. It's very difficult to move when you're on tour because you're always moving around. I really love this house, and that's hard to leave too, but most of my friends are in New York."

On stage, Palmer is powerful and charismatic, an alpha-female leading her pack in a sing-along of any number of tunes she's penned. But at Cloud Club, she was more at ease. As she answered questions about the state of the Dresden Dolls, her work with the Boston Pops, and the future of her solo career, she comfortably gave answers while a photographer snapped shots of the alpha-female with her guard down.

Surrounded by books, albums, backstage passes, and photos of her with friends like Ben Folds, Palmer spoke from the comfort of home, a home that is more than a residence. Cloud Club is home to a number of Boston-based artists who've played a part in Palmer's story, like Michael Pope, a film maker who has made a number of videos for both the Dolls and Palmer's solo efforts. Cloud Club's residents played a part in the story of Pan9, an art space/residence that was destroyed in a fire, but originally hosted some of the first performances by The Dresden Dolls. And in addition to Pan9, Palmer's childhood home in Lexington is another significant component in what has kept her local after achieving international fame.

Ever since she was performing in drama productions at Lexington High School for then-teacher-now-friend Steve Bogart, her artistic spirit has been flourishing in the Boston area, but as she discussed her future move, it became clear that more than her residency is in transition.

"The Dresden dolls are a special band. It was [drummer] Brian [Viglione] and I as a force. We lived and breathed the Dresden Dolls and that was our complete identity for eight years," Palmer Said. She added, "I still feel as much a part of the band, even though we're not touring, because I still see people discovering the Dresden Dolls. I'd love to tour with Brian again at some point but I don't think it will ever be the focus of our lives like it was for that chunk of time. "

Although no announcement has been made, and Palmer insists they have not broken up, the best way to describe the status of the Dresden Dolls would be an indefinite hiatus. Palmer said that she and Viglione have effectively "gone [their] separate ways," but reflects on their time together with a positive romanticism, saying, "The nice thing about having gone our separate ways is when we look at the band, we cherish it. We fucking loved playing together and it was such an education. That's where we grew up. We grew up in the Dresden Dolls. We grew up as neophyte musicians and then everything happened [from there]. But we both bring everything we did with us," adding, "Everything with the Dolls was about the philosophy of how we did things, [like] how we toured, and treated fans, and included people, I bring that into everything we do, and Brian does too.  That's fundamental to who we are, and the values we lived by, that was the flag we stood under. It would be like asking Henry Rollins about life without Black Flag.  You can't have Henry Rollins without Black Flag. For me it's a part of the story. It's a big start of a story."

As for Dresden Dolls fans, Palmer feels they will continue to take interest in her future endeavors.  "The hard core Dresden Dolls fans saw what I was doing and hopped on board, but the new fans, what I really love is that the new fans hearing about Amanda Palmer are rediscovering the Dresden Dolls, so it's turning into one big happy mish mash." However, to view Palmer's current work through the prism of the Dresden Dolls would be inaccurate. "[For a new listener to view my solo work within the paradigm of the Dresden Dolls] would be a lie. Because I really am not functioning within the context of the band right now, so that would be false."

Wandering from her kitchen into her living room, she sat down at a baby grand piano, and proceeded to pound out the first verse of Ben Folds' cover of Dr. Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit." She went on to play a few chords from a piece she'd been practicing for her New Years Eve gig with the Boston Pops. Palmer booked several performers she's collaborated with, like Sxip Shirley and Ms. Tess, to perform in other chambers of Symphony Hall before her set with the Pops. Palmer's performance featured material from the Dresden Dolls, her solo work, and a Lady Gaga cover. Housemate Michael Pope directed a film that played behind the Pops while they performed Bjork's  "Dancer In The Dark." The event also featured the première of a film she made with boyfriend/graphic novelist Neil Gaimen.

Palmer's New Years Eve performance effectively gave her audience a full take on every pocket she has her hands in, be it acting, producing, or composing. But of all the different tasks she is taking on, Palmer insists that at the core of it, more than a singer, or a pianist, or an actor, she is a performer. "If I couldn't perform I'd go crazy. I've been performing since I came out of the womb. It's what I've really wanted to do."

When asked about the target demographic of her music, Palmer said, "[My] music [is] for people who are not afraid to feel things," adding, "My music is very emotional, which is why I think people are so hot and cold about it. People who are really into it really love it and connect to it, and the people who can't stand it… I have a particular way of approaching emotions head-on that might rub them the wrong way, and I can understand that because I have that kind of response to other artists."

2010 stands to be Palmer's most scattered, yet productive, year to date. She'll be touring in support of Evelyn and Evelyn, a duo consisting of conjoined twins whose debut has been produced by both Palmer and Jason Webley. She hinted at a major theatrical project in the Boston area, but insisted that it was top secret. But beyond specific projects, the biggest change is in her move to New York. Palmer has toured all over the world, but Boston has always been "home." And that is about to change. As Palmer moves past the Dresden Dolls, embraces producing, acting, and the Big Apple, it seems as though 2010 will be the start of this performer's second act.

-Words by Andrew Bruss

-Images by Kristina Carucci