Amanda Palmer prepares solo record, tour

Published at 4:15 PM on July 14, 2008

By Christina Hansen

The Dresden Dolls’ Amanda Palmer will set off on her own this summer for a string of tour dates in anticipation of the release of her debut solo album this fall.

As one-half of the dynamic punk cabaret duo the Dresden Dolls, Palmer is known for her throaty vocals, pounding piano melodies and racy lingerie. Her upcoming solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, features an eclectic group of guests, including the Dead Kennedys’ East Bay Ray, Annie Clark (better known as St. Vincent) and cellist Zoe Keating. The album will also feature the contributions of producer Ben Folds and arranger/composer Paul Buckmaster.

Palmer has also been collaborating with graphic novelist/screenwriter Neil Gaiman (Beowulf, Princess Mononoke), who wrote the liner notes for her upcoming album. Palmer and Gaiman are currently working on a book of photography to coincide with the release of Who Killed Amanda Palmer on Sept. 16, via Roadrunner Records.

Fans of the Dresden Dolls concerned that Palmer may be pulling a Gwen Stefani-esque disappearing act need not despair, though. Palmer will be reuniting with her partner in crime Brian Viglione for several music festival performances this summer. The duo will be playing songs from the newly released No, Virginiaafter a lengthy touring hiatus.

And just in case two musical projects and a book have not proved Palmer’s versatility as an artist, she will be the featured performer at one of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s wildly successful Boston Pops concerts this summer. No word yet on whether an orchestral version of First Orgasm will be included in the evening’s program.

Who Killed Amanda Palmer:

1. Astronaut
2. Runs in the Family
3. Ampersand
4. Leeds United
5. Blake Says
6. Strength Through Music
7. Guitar Hero
8. Have to Drive
9. What's the Use of Wondrin
10. Melissa Mahoney
11. The Point of It All
12. Another Year

Palmer Dates:

August

4 - West Hollywood, Calif. @ Troubadour
6 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Great American Music Hall
8 - Chicago, Ill. @ Lakeshore Theater
9 - Toronto, Ontario @ Rivoli
11 - New York, N.Y. @ South Street Seaport
19 - Hamburg, Germany @ Docks
20 - Cologne, Germany @ Gebäude
21 - London, England @ ICA

October

17 - Milan, Italy @ Music Drome
23 - Paris, France @ La Boule Noire
24 - Ghent, Belgium @ Handelsbeurs

Dresden Dolls Dates:

July

3 - Rothbury, Mich. @ Rothbury Festival (The Dresden Dolls)

August

14 - Salzburg, Austria @ Frequency Fest (The Dresden Dolls)
15 - Erfurt, Germany @ Highfield Festival (The Dresden Dolls)
16 - Hasselt, Belgium @ Pukkelpop (The Dresden Dolls)