Interview: Amanda Palmer, musician

Published on Friday 14 August 2009 13:14

Amanda Palmer, singer, pianist, lyricist, composer and formerly of the Brechtian punk cabaret duo the Dresden Dolls, hits the capital with her solo act this week. The controversial artist, who played her last gig in Edinburgh with a broken foot after a run-in with a car in Belfast, will be performing new tracks as well as highlights from her latest album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer?

A companion book of photos of her looking as if she has been murdered has also been released and features photography by Kyle Cassidy and accompanying writing by English fantasy writer Neil Gaiman. She plays HMV Picture House as part of The Edge Festival on Saturday. Visit www.theedgefestival.com for more details.

Describe your perfect weekend

Somewhere off the grid with (my partner] Neil Gaiman, involving good wine, fresh juice, long walks in the woods and stopping and making out against trees. We've been together for six months now. He is incredibly handsome, in a foxy writer kind of way.

What would you do if you ruled the world?

I would demand that everybody love each other and be nice.

What one thing would improve your life?

My own personal tardis so I could go back to the past and hang out with cool people: Mozart, Jesus, the classics. Neil introduced me to Doctor Who and I got into it.

Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say?

Kirsten Vangsness, who is this fantastically beautiful and funny TV actress who plays a kooky computer girl in Criminal Minds. She was on her way to get sushi with me. I've been in LA with Neil, taking time off and introducing each other to each other's LA friends and I've done a show. My new preoccupation is doing flash gigs. I announce it by Twitter, say at 9:30pm, saying I've got a gig at midnight. It's the most empowering tool for artists and connects you so directly with your fans. In LA we did them on the beach, in Edinburgh I'd like to do one in dark closes or under the castle.

What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Probably smoking when drunk. I never smoke when sober, but once I get past the third drink, God help you if you have a cigarette. Neil has smoked and quit, like me, but he's a full-on reformed figure whereas I still come out of the shadows and steal them, even thought I quit eight years ago.

When did you last feel sorry for yourself?

When you split up with Brian (her partner in the Dresden Dolls] perhaps? I really try not to do that but probably when my foot got run over by a car in Belfast. Even then it was my own fault for stepping out in front of it. The relationship with Brian was so long and tumultuous and had so many ups and downs that there wasn't any moment with a definable emotion. Brian and I were making each other so unhappy that taking a break felt positive and liberating for both of us.

What do you wish you'd never done?

I once stole a bunch of CDs from a band table at a gig when I was drunk, and that's one of the most comically awful things I could do because here I am with a bunch of fans being supportive of the artist they love. I felt so ashamed, and years later I told them what I'd done. I'm too ashamed to say who it was. Also, I have four or five giant regret events in my life where I think I could have died, and they're all drinking-related.

Would your mother be proud of you?

She is proud of me. Both parents are. I'd like to believe because I'm happy and balanced and doing what I love to do, but also because I'm successful and I've managed to make it by working very hard.

Who would you like to say sorry to?

I think I've tied everything up – not to sound too morose. I don't think there is anyone out there that I haven't apologised to.

What's the most you've ever spent on a purchase, apart from a car or property?

15,000 on a grand piano. I had always had hand-me-downs but I really wanted a good solid piano that would stay in tune. I bought it with a record advance in 2003.

What is the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you?

Getting my foot run over in Ireland was embarrassing but that had a good outcome. Neil and I ran into each other in London when I was on crutches and he claims it was that moment he fell in love with me. Amanda Palmer always seemed like the kind of girl who didn't need help and there I was on crutches.

What is your earliest memory?

Falling down the stairs when I was two years old. The worst part was running crying into the kitchen, where the adults were, and nobody believing me. That traumatic event is symbolic in that I have been screaming and demanding to be believed for years.

What song is the theme tune to your life?

I would pick How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths, because of the "I am human and I need to be loved" line.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Eddie Izzard. I'm a huge fan.

Should you vote?

If yes, how did you vote?

Yes, I voted for Obama.

What worries you in the wee small hours?

Nothing, I'm usually e-mailing and drinking wine.

When were you last naked in front of another person?

Yesterday, in front of Neil.

When did you lose your virginity?

When I was 15, to my boyfriend, who I was very much in love with. In a bed also, thankfully. My stepmother told me to do that, because I would remember that time for rest of my life.

What is your most treasured possession?

My set of sketch and composition books from high school. If I lost those I would despair. They have all my early artwork and drawings from friends who have died, and it's irreplaceable.

What do you remember better, your first car or first kiss?

I remember my first kiss (with tongue), with Brad Heald when I was 12 or 13. It was at his birthday party, in the closet in his basement, with all the skis and winter clothes.

If you didn't have your current career, what would you do?

I was a street performer for a long time, and it's pretty likely that if the music thing hadn't worked out I would do theatre.

What do you think of celebrity?

I think it's what you make of it. A blessing and a curse, depending on how you use it. I'm currently in love with my level of celebrity, which is where I can make people happy but no-one bothers me. It's a wonderful sweet spot.

What has been your greatest achievement?

The Dresden Dolls – all the things we accomplished and that we stayed together for so long and overcame so many obstacles.