Amanda Palmer, pianist and singer for The Dresden Dolls, has a solo album out — titled, in Twin Peaks-inspired glory, Who Killed Amanda Palmer?.
Sadly, however, she’s having problems with her label. (Links from her blog)
For example, they wanted her to edit her video for the song “Leeds United”, because her bare belly “looked fat.” Seriously.
They’ve called her album “uncommercial” and “cottage industry,” and apparently have a problem with the fact that she, in her words, doesn’t want to wax and starve herself, and write shiny pop songs that will make her a superstar.
Fans have started posting shots of their bellies on the internet, in solidarity, and Amanda has recently asked her label, Roadrunner Records, to drop her. They’ve refused.
She spent $80K of her own money on the album (which apparently, the label won’t be reimbursing).
The A&R guy from the label told her: “I’m a guy, Amanda. i understand what people like.” (!!!)
Go out and pick it up immediately (even though it will make more for the label than for her, which sucks — but at least get it from her website, where she’ll get a bigger cut). It’s fucking amazing. When she tours in your area, go see her — because that money goes to her, not the label.
I’ll close this with her words:
“do you have any idea who i am, what band i’ve been in, what kind of music i write, who my fans are….who didn’t send you the memo that i’m not britney spears? […]
i had a meeting with the owner of the label. he said he thought it was a shame that someone as smart and talented as me could not make a commercial record that they could sell. and he thinks that someday i’ll see the light and write some better songs.
i told him i made exactly the record i wanted to make.
more than exactly. i think i’ve made an INCREDIBLE FUCKING record.
i really do.he shook his head and felt sorry for me.
i feel sorry for them. they are trying to sell pieces of plastic in a digital world.
but they’re barking up the wrong tree if they think they can katy perry or avril lavigne me into the walmarts of the world.”