Amanda “Fucking” Palmer, front-woman of The Dresden Dolls, recently parted ways with her record label. She’s celebrating her new-found musical independence with the release of a Radiohead ukulele covers EP including the tracks “Creep”, “Idioteque”, “FakePlasticTrees”, “No Surprises”, “High and Dry” and a live string-quartet version of “Exit Music (For a Film)”.
To mark the launch of the EP, Amanda will host a Record-Release Webcast “Luau Party” on July 20th at 6pm EST from her home in Boston. Donning a coconut bra, Amanda will sing, chat, and run various contests and giveaways. With guest performers, friends, fans, and beau Neil Gaiman on hand, Amanda will strum out several Radiohead songs, take requests via Twitter, show us how to mix the world’s best pineapple-tini, and yes, hold a limbo contest. (She’s also recently threatened via blog, to play a cover version of the “Double Rainbow” song on piano – watch out).
Palmer, a very vocal supporter of direct fan-to-artist support, has made the album available online through Bandcamp for a donation of 84¢ or more, 54¢ of which going directly back into Radiohead’s pockets for the legal use of their songs (with the remaining 30¢ going to PayPal to cover the transaction fee). Palmer will be also be offering a limited edition numbered 1,000 piece run of the album on clear-red wax, as well as several packages ranging in price from $20-$1,000.
The most extravagent package comes with a ukulele that Palmer painted herself, it’s aptly titled the “I PAINTED THIS FUCKING UKULELE MYSELF” bundle, and costs $1,000. In the package you get:
- A download of the EP in the format of your choice.
- One of six Mahalo ukuleles, hand-painted by Amanda & inspired by Radiohead Lyrics from the record.
- A personal phone or Skype call with Amanda, during which she will play the UkuleleHead song of your choice, or simply just talk to you about Your Mom.
- A recording of Amanda singing a haiku written by you (or whatever 20 words or less you choose!) while accompanying herself on her magical ukulele!
- A t-shirt, the EP on vinyl, an AFP hurricane glass, a vintage-ad-homage poster, a custom ukulele pick, a signed “glamour shot”, a recycled can-lid magnet, and more!
Goodness gracious!