This past year was a huge one for music with so many bands releasing new material it was hard to keep up, even for us here at Ghost Cult. So many legacy bands, modern classic acts, and up and comers dropped new music this year, some may wish they had waited until 2017 to drop it like it’s hot. Without further ado, here are our picks for the new tunes you need in your life in 2017. Continue reading
Shock and sadness swept the internet yesterday as word came down that actress and cultural icon Carrie Fisher had died at age 60. Fisher, best known as Princess Leia Organa in five of the eight released films in the Star Wars film franchise, passed away from complications from a heart attack she suffered before Christmas. Musicians, artists, and fans from across the world flooded social media with their reactions of anger and grief:Continue reading
Record Store Day continues to help lend support to small businesses and local music stores that keep the experience of artist discovery alive every April and November.Today’s Record Store Day Black Friday event will see releases from across rock, metal, punk, indie and pop music this year. More details and a full shopping list for the discerning fan can be found below:Continue reading
Songstress and activist Amanda Palmer is winding down a whirlwind year in which she had a baby, released a book, recorded and released several new albums, toured both solo and with the Dresden Dolls, has made recent a new musical project for 2017, book some upcoming tour dates, has new holiday merch out, and her expected Record Store Day release coming tomorrow, the limited edition version of her ‘STRUNG Out In Heaven’/’Purple Rain’ on custom vinyl.Continue reading
Amanda Palmer’s recent David Bowie Tribute EP Strung Out In Heaven to will see a vinyl version release on the upcoming Record Store Day Black Friday event.Continue reading
Amanda Palmer, continuing to return from her hiatus after the birth of her son last year, has produced a tribute album to David Bowie with the help of multi-instrumentalist Jherek Biscoff and other noted collaborators. Dubbed Strung Out In Heaven, the EP was released with the help of Palmer’s Patreon supporters . You stream the lead track ‘Blackstar’ featuring (Anna Calvi), and buy it from her Bandcamp page as well. The minimum price is $1 – $.54 of which will go to Bowie’s publisher for the use of the songs. The remaining proceeds from the first month of sales (until March 5th) will go to the cancer research wing of Tufts Medical Center, in memory of Bowie.
There is special artwork for each track created by noted artists from around the world, which you can see below. Palmer continues to create projects and engage her audience via Patreon. You can support her there:
Strung Out In Heaven EP track listing
1. Blackstar (Featuring Anna Calvi) 08:32
2. Space Oddity (Featuring Neil Gaiman) 05:07
3. Ashes To Ashes 03:59
4. Heroes (Featuring John Cameron Mitchell) 03:37
5. Helden (Single Version) (Featuring John Cameron Mitchell) 03:38
6. Jherek Bischoff – Life On Mars? (Instrumental) 03:58
Personnel:
Amanda Palmer – Vocals
Jherek Bischoff – Double Bass/Arrangements/Conducting
Serena McKinney– Violin 1
Alyssa Park– Violin 2
Ben Ullery– Viola
Jacob Braun – Cello
Anna Calvi – Vocals/Guitar (Blackstar)
Jono Manson – Amanda’s Engineer (The Kitchen Sink)
Alex Thomas – Anna Calvi’s Engineer (Bruce Grove Studio)
Chris Fogel – Jherek/Strings Engineer (Hyperion Sound / ELBO Studios)
Bryan Carrigan – Jherek/Strings Asst. Engineer (Hyperion Sound / ELBO Studios)
John Cameron Mitchell – Vocals (Heroes and Helden)
David Mack (United States) – Ashes to Ashes
Sarah Beetson (United Kingdom) – EP cover and Space Oddity
Félix Marqués (Spain) – Life on Mars
HA-HA (Australia) – Helden (German Version)
Bill Sienkiewicz (United States) – Heroes (English Version)
Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman, photo from AfP online
Amanda Palmer starts a brief UK book tour tomorrow. Shows will include signings for her Art of Asking book, Q & A style chats, some solo performances from Palmer, combinations of guests for musical performances, and occasional appearances and talks by Palmer’s husband and noted author Neil Gaiman. She will wrap up the summer opening for Morrisey on July 25th. Following the tour Palmer is taking some time off for the birth of her first child.
Palmer has also released a new song, a new version of ‘The Things About Things’ as released on all digital formats and detailed on Palmer’s Patreon account.
Palmer commented on her blog about the UK, webcasts, Patreon and the new track:
“a few quick notes for the UK:
some shows are sold out or close to sold out, but there are still a handful of tickets. i’ve also added some events, including a FREE live radio show at the HAY FESTIVAL on saturday, if you’re around there at 3 pm and want to see me read an open letter for the BBC in their broadcasting tent! My official Hay Festival show is that night (music and interview) and only £8.00, so come, come come.
BELFAST: you’re the only city that looks like it might not sell out before show day. TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE SHOW (june 14th, at limelight)!
“in news:
a new (beautiful) recording of “the things about things” was the last, um, thing. people seemed very happy with it. all the info (including where to find it on bandcamp, my site, iTunes, etc), plus a story about the writing of the song, and the lyrics, are up on my patreon page.”
Amanda Palmer Tour Dates and events
Jun 13: Seafront Marquee At Dillons Park, Dalkey Book Festival, Dalkey, EI
All ages- Amanda speaking session at 4PM
Jun 13: Seafront Marquee At Dillons Park, Dalkey Book Festival
Free Book signing at 4:45
Jun 13: Academy – Dublin, EI
The Art Of Asking Book Tour /Post-Show Book Signing
Jun 14: Limelight- Belfast, County Antrim, UK
The Art Of Asking Book Tour /Post-Show Book Signing
Jul 06: Bearsville Theatre- Woodstock, NY
An Evening With Amanda Palmer & Friends
With Pwr Bttm – Lady Moon & The Eclipse
Jul 11: Columbus Theatre- Providence, Rhode Island
An Evening With Amanda Palmer & Pwr Bttm
-plus Special Guest Neil Gaiman-
Jul 25: San Jose Event Center – San Diego, CA
Morrissey wit Amanda Palmer opening
Amanda Palmer, photo by Shervin Lainez
Amanda Palmer has announced a brief “An Evening With” tour of the USA on her blog, which will feature the artist solo in eight stripped-down performances, with only voice, keyboards and ukulele. This will be her first extensive touring of 2015 and her first musical endeavor in a while, which she commented on in her blog. Amanda has been promoting her book The Art of Asking (Piatkus) with Q & As, readings and book signings. Her book will also be available on the tour as well.
Tour Dates and ticket info below:
AN EVENING WITH AMANDA FUCKING PALMER
Saturday, April 4:: DC – Lincoln Theater
tickets will be available friday Feb 20th,10am EST here.
(9:30 Club/I.M.P. Member’s pre-sale starts 10:AM, Feb 19th. join their mailing list before Wednesday the 18th for presale details: http://www.930.com/mailing)
Sunday, April 5:: RICHMOND, VA – The National
tickets will be available friday Feb 20th,10am EST here.
Monday, April 6:: RALEIGH, NC – Fletcher Opera Theatre*
Thursday, April 9:: ATLANTA – Variety Playhouse*
Friday, April 10:: BIRMINGHAM, AL – WorkPlay Theatre*
Saturday, April 11:: NEW ORLEANS – Civic Theater*
Tuesday, April 14:: AUSTIN – Paramount Theatre
tickets will be available friday Feb 20th,10am central here.
Wednesday, April 15:: DALLAS – Granada Theater
tickets will be available friday Feb 20th,10am central here.
*ticket links tbd. follow http://amandapalmer.net/shows for updates!*
ALL SHOWS ARE ALL AGES