
Amanda Palmer, of famed punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls, has only rocked the boat even more since she struck out on her own. After splitting from her record label, she hightailed it to Mick Wordley’s home studio to produce an album full of Radiohead covers - which she plays on the ukulele. Yes, you read that correctly: Amanda Palmer is coming out with a Radiohead covers record, comprised entirely of sing-song and ukulele style. Get all the amazing details after the jump!
Palmer says of the album, "I'm slaphappy with freedom and this is the perfect project to celebrate with. I'm really proud of the way this record wound up sounding...it's actually a lot more emotional than I expected. Radiohead songs almost play themselves because the songwriting is so genius, and the ukulele is perfect for laying that genius bare. I tried to strip the songs down as far as possible without destroying them."
Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on Her Magical Ukulele is set to drop on July 17th. Ironically, the album comes about after the Evelyn Evelyn member learned the ukulele to play Radiohead’s “Creep” merely as a joke for a friend. Her version, which you can listen to below, has since spread like wildfire. Perhaps its popularity (more specifically, tons of requests for it on last year’s tour, a Howard Stern broadcast, and a sing-a-long) is what spurred the rest of the album to come together.
"Creep" is just one of many Radiohead favorites you will hear. The album will also include "Idioteque", "No Surprises", "High and Dry", "Fake Plastic Trees”, and a special version of "Exit Music (For a Film)". The last track was recorded live at The Sydney Opera House with Australian arranger Lyndon Chester on violin, and San Francisco's Zoë Keating on cello. “Idioteque” is available through Bandcamp for less than anything on the McDonald's Dollar Menu, but Amanda Palmer is willing to accept more, if fans are so kind enough to donate. All donations, except a small transfer fee, will go to Radiohead for the release of rights on their songs.
The album will be available on vinyl, but act fast if you want it; only 1,000 copies are being pressed. Along with your purchase, you can get a hand-painted ukulele of your own, courtesy of Amanda Palmer herself. You’ll also have the opportunity to speak with her on the phone to make requests for the next ukulele Radiohead cover. What more could you want?
You can catch the spunky artist on tour with Evelyn Evelyn over the next week or so. If she tours in a similar fashion as she did in the fall, expect that ukulele to be attached to her hip.
