Interview withAmanda Palmer - Dresden Dolls
Their fans had to wait two long years for the next release. Now the dolls return with ‘No, Virginia’ to close the Virginia cycle. Amanda Palmer took her time to answer us a few questions…
Amanda Palmer (AP): I loved how classic it sounded, especially with the darkness and lightness rubbing against each other. Finishing School was a close second but it was a little too funny for me.
RoD: Your style is referred to as 'Brechtian Punk Cabaret'. How big was Brecht's influence on your musical and artistic work?
AP: Oh, that was more a head-tilt than a way of saying: We Come From Brecht! I studied theatre in school and I loved Weill's work and Brecht's lack of sentimentality in his lyrics, and his whole position with the audience. Loved it.
RoD: How do you allocate the tasks in the studio? Do you even allocate them or is there just one of saying what is to do and how it's done?
AP: I let the producer run the day and the task-list. A lot of it depends on how I'm feeling and how my voice is feeling. If I'm feeling strong vocally, we'll cut vocals. If I'm feeling weak, we'll mix or do overdubs. You juggle.
RoD: Why weren't the five unreleased tracks included on the last album?
AP: It would have made the record too long and clunky. Short is good, nowadays.
RoD: Is there a specific concept behind the new album? The name 'No,Virginia' already indicates it to be some kind of continuation or maybe the opposite direction?
AP: I like the way the title picks up where the last record left off. It's sort of just a joke. The unwanted children of the last marriage, but those are the most interesting ones.
RoD: The new album will also include a cover of the Psychedelic Furs song 'Pretty in pink'. Do you have a special connection to this song?
AP: I loved the Psychedelic Furs and I also loved all of those old John Hughes soundtracks, those were some of my favourite records. We were asked to record something from that era for a compilation and I chose that one at random. I always loved the lyrics, they're so goddam mean.
RoD: In 2006, you worked on a theatre play with the name 'The Onion Cellar'. How was it to work on it instead of 'just' making music?
AP: I never like "just" making music, so it was refreshing to use other parts of my brain.
RoD: How was the overall reaction of the audience on that theatre play?
AP: They loved it, generally. I, on the other hand, was very disappointed by the end product.
RoD: Would you do that again or are you already planning to make another one?
AP: That one is over forever, it wasn't what I wanted. But I may very well do another one. Stay tuned.
RoD: You already played at venues all around the world. Is there any specific place, where you'd like to play a concert? Can be an exceptional one as well…
AP: There are certain places I love playing...sometimes I can't even remember the names of the venues, but I'll have these great dream-like memories of them. There’s a club in Switzerland that has a giant spinning-skull disco ball that I dream about returning to. The food there was amazing.
RoD: Speaking of concerts. Are you already planning a new tour for the upcoming album?
AP: Yes! The band is about to do a two-week tour of the states and we'll be playing some festivals in the summer. Mostly I am preparing for my solo record (called "Who Killed Amanda Palmer" and produced by Ben Folds) so the dolls won't be doing a ton of touring.
RoD: Thanks a lot for your time.
{jos_sb_discuss:21}
Comments powered by CComment