Amanda Palmer: Full Life Interview

In this oral history, Amanda Palmer discusses growing up in the suburbs outside of Boston, her experience in the school system, and her early musical influences. She talks about her childhood interest in the piano and resistance to traditional teaching methods. Palmer details her college experience and mental health. She details her early twenties and her experience in Boston as a living statue and member of the Cloud Collective. Palmer talks about forming the Dresden Dolls, signing with Roadrunner records, the bands trajectory to success and eventual hiatus, as well as her solo career as a musician and author. Palmer concludes the interview discussing the purpose of music as well as her experience with reproductive healthcare and gender.
Amanda Palmer is singer-songwriter, pianist, author, and performance artist best known for her work in the Dresden Dolls, her solo work, theater pieces, and her book The Art of Asking. Palmer continues to create music and art. She lives in New Zealand with her son and her partner. The Dresden Dolls announced a reunion in 2022.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history

[@stevew4208]

I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda on an Amtrak train today. A wonderful personality.

[@jessicapartington7298]

I love hearing about her record collection. It's such a personal thing to share about yourself. I would love to talk music with Amanda someday!

[@luxxaeri]

I know there was a list of questions and in a way it’s nice to get a clear timeline but I would have loved to lean into what she was feeling emotionally during the time. There was a few topics alluded to but I feel like we missed an opportunity to cover them. Thank you for the interview 💛 love Amanda as always, she speaks as if she’s writing a book. I always appreciate her attention to her word choice, she paints such an clear picture.

[@josmeeusen1136]

She represents a mix I cannot stay away from. Also her art represents that mix. That mix? You name it, it's all there. Like a river after flooding with trees, chairs, houses and cars n stuff.

[@wendydrobot]

S/O to WFNX!!! They used to put on all these free shows and giveaways on Lansdowne St., which is the first time I ever saw the Dresden Dolls. That station and 'Leftover Lunch' really changed my life at that time.

[@brunohiss]

Bravo! Amazing interview!
Kudos on your interviewer skills!
Love your channel!

[@iukiyak]

great interview. there is so much inspiration in it for music fans but also for (prospective) parents. also, love the Dresden Dolls!!

[@ltsyoutube5549]

I love AFP so much. ❤️

[@JoeCroninSHOW]

Nice

[@slandersir7255]

38:00

[@slandersir7255]

1:27:00

[@slandersir7255]

1:47:00

[@chilenapromedioRU]

I used to respect her so much.
But her supporting the genocide of innocent Palestinian civilians, JUST NO.