One of my absolute heroes in this world is Amanda Palmer, some would know her from her work with the "Dresden Dolls". The reason I admire her so much is of course her music, but it's also the way she's used social networking to promote herself and her music. Her style is described as "Punk Cabaret", it's not for everyone, but it's different, it's real, and there's not an auto-tune in sight.
I had the pleasure not long ago of taking my daughter to one of her shows at the recent "Fringe Festival". Amanda had set up an impromptu stage out in the parklands, and just played. We heard it, recognized her immediately and rushed down to watch. Here is one person, playing a keyboard captivating an audience, most of which would have never heard her before. Most musicians would be in the green room, smoking, snorting, drinking. Not Amanda, she saw an opportunity to promote her music and jumped on it.
She finished her set so we walked up through the park to the entrance so we could go to her official show. As we reached a set of pedestrian lights there she was, waiting at the lights to cross. We where right next to her, like a meter away, and I couldn't speak. I wanted to say hello, I wanted to congratulate her on her music, and not selling out to the major record companies. I had a million things I could have said to her, I said nothing. I just stood there awestruck. An opportunity lost forever...
This is the subject of todays song.
