Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer is a singer, songwriter, and musician known for her eclectic and energetic style, which has drawn comparisons to Kate Bush, Tori Amos, and Fiona Apple. She has been a prominent figure in the Boston music scene, and has collaborated with artists such as Jason Webley, Zoë Keating, and Ben Folds. Palmer's music often incorporates elements of punk rock, cabaret, and classical music, and has been praised by critics such as Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus. She has also been named as an influence by artists such as St. Vincent and Regina Spektor.

● Early Life and Education

Amanda Palmer was born in Lexington, Massachusetts, and grew up in a family of artists and musicians, including her father, Jack Palmer, a musician and composer. She attended Lexington High School and later studied theater at Wesleyan University, where she was a member of the Wesleyan University Theater Department and performed in productions such as The Rocky Horror Show and Chicago. Palmer's early musical influences included David Bowie, The Cure, and The Velvet Underground, and she began writing her own music and performing at open mic nights in the Boston area, including the Club Passim and the Middle East.

● Music Career

Palmer's music career began in the early 2000s, when she formed the Dresden Dolls with drummer Brian Viglione. The band released their debut album, The Dresden Dolls (album), in 2003, and gained a following in the Boston area and beyond, with fans including Neil Gaiman and Cory Doctorow. The band's music was praised by critics such as The New York Times and Rolling Stone, and they toured with artists such as Nine Inch Nails and Foo Fighters. In 2008, Palmer released her debut solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, which featured collaborations with Ben Folds and Jason Webley. She has since released several solo albums, including Theater Is Evil and There Will Be No Intermission, and has collaborated with artists such as Edward Ka-Spel and Patrick Wolf.

● Personal Life

Palmer is married to author Neil Gaiman, and the couple has a son, Anthony, born in 2015. She has been open about her experiences with depression and anxiety, and has used her music and public platform to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues, including working with organizations such as The National Alliance on Mental Illness and The World Health Organization. Palmer is also a prominent figure in the polyamory and kink communities, and has written about her experiences with non-monogamy and BDSM in her blog and in interviews with publications such as The Guardian and The New Yorker.

● Discography

Palmer's discography includes several solo albums, as well as albums with the Dresden Dolls and other collaborations. Her solo albums include Who Killed Amanda Palmer (2008), Theater Is Evil (2012), and There Will Be No Intermission (2019). With the Dresden Dolls, she released The Dresden Dolls (album) (2003), Yes, Virginia... (2006), and No, Virginia... (2008). She has also released several EPs and singles, including Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under (2011) and Strung Out In Heaven: A Bowie String Quartet Tribute (2016), which features arrangements of songs by David Bowie.

● Film and Theater Work

Palmer has also worked in film and theater, including composing music for the film The Hunger Games and performing in productions such as The Rocky Horror Show and Cabaret. She has collaborated with artists such as Jason Webley and Zoë Keating on theater and dance projects, including the production The Bed Song, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2013. Palmer has also worked with companies such as The Wooster Group and The Builders Association, and has performed at festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury Festival.

● Activism and Philanthropy

Palmer is a vocal advocate for artists' rights and social justice causes, and has worked with organizations such as The Electronic Frontier Foundation and The American Civil Liberties Union. She has also been involved in several high-profile crowdfunding campaigns, including a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $1 million for her album Theater Is Evil. Palmer has also supported charities such as The Trevor Project and The National Network to End Domestic Violence, and has performed at benefit concerts for organizations such as The Red Cross and The Salvation Army. She has also been recognized for her philanthropic work, including being named as one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2012. Category:American musicians