Amanda Palmer was just three-years-old when she first banged on a piano.
That was a few years ago now and she says not too much has changed.
“You know I wanted to be like my idols and so that meant being a star,” says Palmer. “So I would look at my Madonna records and my Cindy Lauper records and my Prince records and it was like ‘that's what I want to do! That's it!’ whatever it is.”
Whatever it was it is all working out so far.
However, these days she is pushing a slightly more grown up envelope.
“I’m constantly challenging myself to say ‘what are you feeling’ and especially if I’m conflicted about something ‘are you afraid to write about it?’ and if you're afraid to write about it, you should probably write about it,” explains Palmer.
Which includes the lyrics to ‘Oasis' - a song that deals with rape and abortion. The video was banned by every television network in the United Kingdom.
Palmer is one half of American punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls.
After some ferocious touring - which lead to band burnout - the Dolls decided on a short break. So Palmer is taking her solo album on tour and is being propelled by the same forces that have always driven her.
“That sort of deep urge I had for honest self expression and being able to challenge people,” says Palmer.
Although the lights will be slightly less flashy and there probably will not be a chorus of dancing girls, Palmer is still hoping to wow audiences at Wellington's Bar Bodega tonight.
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