“Ahhhhh, I’m SO jealous!” sighs Amanda Palmer, one half of The Dresden Dolls, as I mention that it’s another sunny day in Sydney. Evidently, Palmer’s hometown of Boston, from where she’s calling me, is getting a touch chilly as the unpleasant prospect of a long cold winter looms large.

But this reaction to my meteorological observations reveals not only Palmer’s love of sunshine, but also her unashamed crush on Australia. “Well, the weather doesn’t hurt!” she laughs.  “But mostly, I really sincerely f**king love the people. I love how open and blunt and no-bullshit everybody is, it’s really refreshing.” Little surprise then that she’s played solo shows here the past few summers, and released a solo album (her second) entitled Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under, with songs like Vegemite (The Black Death), Doctor Oz, and a cover of Nick Cave’s The Ship Song.

Luckily, she doesn’t have long to wait to return to these shores, her excuse this time is a January tour with her ‘Brechtian punk cabaret’ outfit, The Dresden Dolls.  It’s been almost six years since the singer/multi-instrumentalist and drummer Brian Viglione last brought their unique brand of alternative, rock and cabaret theatrics to Australia, and judging by the reaction of fans of Palmer’s solo antics, the tour is long overdue.

“When I announced the tour dates, the biggest [response] was ‘Oh my God, I’m such a fan of yours but I’ve never heard The Dresden Dolls.  Where do I start, what record should I listen to?’”  Palmer recalls. “I tell them ‘It’s not f**king rocket science, we only have two records!  We’re not Frank Zappa [with] a catalogue of 47 albums. Just go and listen to the first record and if you like it, listen to the second one!’”

Palmer is a self-confessed workaholic, and this trip to Australia is the icing on another hectic year. She’s just completed an eclectic series of shows with her husband, English writer Neil Gaiman.

Palmer has also been involved in the Occupy protest movements that have swept across the globe.  “Occupy Boston set up literally 20 blocks from my house,” she explains.  “I definitely stand behind the values of the movement and I’m also known for playing spontaneous outdoor gigs, so it seemed like a pretty good idea to head down there and play my ukulele.”  It transpired that each city she visited on tour had an Occupy movement, so she made time to visit, participate, and play some songs.

Of course, 2012 will be equally busy. More Dresden Dolls shows are likely, and Palmer is due to commence recording another solo album in March, followed by a bout of touring.  Exactly where in the world all this activity will take place is still undecided, but one thing is certain: the obligatory tour of Australia this summer is already locked in.

The Dresden Dolls are touring nationally in January. Head here for further details

By Rob Cannon

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