The Amanda Fucking Palmer Kickstarter debate

[Randall]

That was beautiful.

" it still hurts my feelings when people at the bar are talking during my set..." I hate to admit it, but I feel that way too. Also, playing to an empty house is discouraging. I think the best thing you can do in that situation is what she does: remember the first rule of show business, the show must go on.

Sometimes you just got to play to the bartender.

When I played acoustic gigs, audience chat was always very distracting (except for one or two magical gigs when people really listened). It makes you feel like you should just go home. It's one inspiration for my going back to electrified rawk (along with it being the most fun).

Quartjar played to five people (not counting bartenders) at our last gig. Two of those folks were married to band members, and one was a photographer hired by the venue. The two wild-card attendees loved us!

But I come at this from a very semi-pro position. We make a little $$ every now and then, but mostly not much. That's okay, we're not making a living from it. We do it mostly because we would hate to not do it.

On the whole, I'd love to sit in with any acts that I'm a fan of. Come to think of it, I am usually daydreaming of just that when I'm in the audience.

Well, lunch is almost over. Gotta get back to it.

edit: Also, what Keef said.

[Keef Riffers]

Yeah I mean she has weaponized the punk rock fantasy. It's the selling of the cult
Of fame. You too can be in the eye of the temple!!

This is like Guitar Center "rock guitar god competition" on steroids in reverse sort of.

It's pretty gawdamn sorcererous (is that a word) and awesome.

She was first though. Don't forget.

Look for this to roll of the line as the new Facebook/twitter/social media/street team aggravation.

PLAY WITH KNOZVILLES OWN "COPPER"!

COMPETITIONS TOMORROW FROM 1-4 pm at the moody avenue amvets*


20 dudes show up with pawn shop telecaster knocknoffs at the next bob pollard show.

Door guy: "no you were supposed to
Audition"

Bro: "oh, okay"

""RAISE THE FLAG TO THE NEW DRUNKSRIVERZ!""""

"PROWWWWAWWWD BROTHERS.."

[t3p]

I suspect you are being sarcastic with this, but I don't read that as either modest or immodest...just matter of fact. I've witnessed many artists being approached by fans relaying similar messages and know that it can touch a nerve and serve as a strong reminder of the impact that one can have on others...and it's useful to remember at times when one may be feeling a bit down and out oneself.

yes of course artists help us get through down times, but surely you have also witnessed artists whose egos could stand to be dialed back a bit

[AC]

yes of course artists help us get through down times, but surely you have also witnessed artists whose egos could stand to be dialed back a bit

Ya think?

[Keef Riffers]

I saw some dumbass driving around Nashville who had his SUV 100% wrapped in vinyl images and advertisement about HIMSELF and there was like one quote from some unknown bullshit paper "Johnny so and so is a fantastic new talent in Nashville!" -Hoboken examiner 2011

[AC]

Well, she should be touched, moved and inspired by fans who have been moved by her work and writing. I'm not cynical about human connections. But quoting that is just terribly self-serving and I think speaks volumes about her ego. It's self-aggrandizing, which is what I find so distasteful in her actions in all of this. It's not enough to be satisfied with moving people, she has to let everyone know how powerful her art is to people. Please.

Of course, I don't really connect with her music. I'd probably feel differently if it was Jon Langford or Corin Tucker who was at the heart of all this, more willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Nevertheless, it does raise some very interesting questions about fame, power and exploitation in this new model she's helped pioneer. And I'm glad people are forging a new way.

I get it. And we all tend to respond in different ways to these things. I totally understand why Amanda rubs some people the wrong way...as I said earlier, she's packed with attitude and therefore by definition polarizes people. But that ego is also part of what enables her to do what she does, both as a performer and as a business person, which is also what a lot of this dialogue is about: What does it take to be successful in this brave new world? (and of course there are endless answers depending on who you are, what you want, and how you define success...)

On another point, however, while I was a fan of the Dresden Dolls, I don't really believe that my comments here should be seen as being from the perspective of a fan of Amanda's music.

[Keef Riffers]

while I was a fan of the Dresden Dolls, I don't really believe that my comments here should be seen as being from the perspective of a fan of Amanda's music.

Understood, CYA. A mans gotta eat.

[AC]

Understood, CYA. A mans gotta eat.

Not really that. Just that I hope my comments have been from a more distanced perspective than whether I'm a fan of Amanda's music and whether Amanda has a big ego. Neither of which are relevant, in my opinion.

[the idiot]

she's packed with attitude and therefore by definition polarizes people. But that ego is also part of what enables her to do what she does, both as a performer and as a business person, which is also what a lot of this dialogue is about: What does it take to be successful in this brave new world?

Sure, but there are some forms of ego mania I find more palatable than others, I guess. Give me Lou Reed's egoism over her self-serving, hippie-dippy egoism any day.

[AC]

Sure, but there are some forms of ego mania I find more palatable than others, I guess. Give me Lou Reed's egoism over her self-serving, hippie-dippy egoism any day.

Well, that discussion is beyond the scope of my interest. But I must say that of the many adjectives that might be used to describe Amanda Palmer, "hippy-dippy" would never make my list.