Amanda Fucking Palmer doesn’t care about music critics, music websites, and their collective opinions of her art. She will likely not read this and we are okay with that too.
She makes music for herself, she writes for herself, she creates art projects for herself. The fact that she has connected so deeply with her rabid fan base owes to her desire to use her art as a personal and political bridge to unlock and activate people who share the same passion as her either for artists, causes, or just in general, to better humanity in this time of dim intellects, weak leaders, and societal disappointments.
AfP is gonna AfP hard until she can’t anymore and this is very clear. She’d prefer we not, but it’s worth discussing how deeply layered, emotionally gripping or beautifully composed all of There Will Be No Intermission (Self-Released/Cooking Vinyl) is and how it’s one of the best albums of 2019. It’s actually one of the best albums of any stripe of any genre the last few years, and maybe the height of her solo career so far. I know I am not typically the core audience she was speaking to when she made this album, but you’d have to be an unfeeling awful person not to relate on some level. You are either a balm to soothe the wounded among us, an ally in the collective fight, or part of the problem. If you are a fan, you likely agree with this and if you are unacquainted, then go out and purchase this music post-haste.
And you might be reading this as a hater, and wonder why a website that has Indie, last in a genre list of Metal, Hardcore, Punk, and Hardcore (in truth we cover more genres than you realize), has covered her so hardcore over the years. Because we cover ground-breaking artists of every kind, dumbass. Other artists we like that fall into this realm are Devin Townsend, OTEP, or Amigo the Devil. All good, just like Amanda we kind of do what we do here. We have haters, but as we have learned from AfP, if you have none, then you are doing it wrong.
We were on hand for her record release show in-store at Rough Trade Records in Brooklyn back March, and again at Albert Hall in Manchester earlier this month for her UK tour. Amanda doesn’t put on a concert as much as hosts a communal happening for fans: performing songs, telling stories that shaped her life, laughing, crying, giving, helping, defacto group therapy leader, healing, mom, sister, friend, and inspiring all those in within the sight and sound of her. She can make everyone in the room feel special, and she is as real in the room right now, in the same space as she is in a Tweet or a personal letter to fans. It’s not something you can quantify, few artists really work this hard to connect. At least half the set on this night in Manchester was the new album, a few covers, solo tracks and yes, a Dresden Dolls tune as well. She crowdsurfed and rocked too. Her new album is definitely a “winter”. It feels intensely sad at times, but also has the promise of the spring to come. The best artists temper their darker moments with hope and Amanda breeds belief and hope among those who are a little short in that department. It’s OK not to be OK, and we’re all going to be OK, eventually.
If 2019 has been a dropkick to the soul, now is a good time to turn out the lights, turn up There Will Be No Intermission, and just feel it. After all, “it’s just a ride”.
Thank you, Amanda Palmer, even though we know you don’t need a pat on the back for being you, and making your art. This year has sucked just a little less because of you and your music, and we, music fans, are thankful.
You can buy or stream her music here or join her Patreon here:
WORDS BY KEITH CHACHKES
PHOTOS BY LUKE DENHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
Amanda Palmer set list (Albert Hall, Manchester UK 3/11/19, from setlist.fm)
In My Mind
Runs in the Family
Oasis
Voicemail for Jill
Part of Your World (Alan Menken cover)
Machete
Coin-Operated Boy (The Dresden Dolls song)
A Mother’s Confession
Drowning in the Sound
Let It Go (Kristen Anderson‐Lopez & Robert Lopez cover)
Encore:
The Ride