Search
Close this search box.

Stay up to date

Subscribe to our weekly
e-newsletter for news and updates

Advertise with us

AMANDA PALMER 2025 INTERVIEW: NAMM ORAL HISTORY PROJECT – AUSTRALIAN MUSICIAN EDIT

Photo by www.pixievision.com

Singer, songwriter, one half of the Dresden Dolls and solo performer, author,  diversity champion, fighter of the good fight, supporter of freaks, muckraker, fun lover, and mother Amanda Palmer was honoured on Saturday January 26 at 13th annual She Rocks Awards at the Anaheim Hilton as part of the 2025 NAMM Show.

Amanda’s appearance at the event to accept her award was notable given the current swell of external white noise she has been subjected to. Added to the gravitas of the occasion, it was the new Presidential administration’s first week of rule and they took no time in showing their true colours, implementing directives which are in direct contrast to Palmer’s more compassionate views. Then there were the recent devastating LA fires, which impacted countless folks in the local arts community, many of whom still attended the NAMM Show in a show of unity. Needless to say, emotions at the She Rocks Awards this year were running high and the love in the room was tangible. The show, which Australian Musician attended featured an exceptional performance of former honouree Starr Parodi and her daughter Isolde Maria Parodi Fair, who had just lost their family home in the fires in Pacific Palisades. Parodi was presented with a new She Rocks award to replace the one lost in the fires, and the two performed a mash-up of Fair’s song “Time Traveller” and Mama’s and Papa’s “California Dreaming.” I’m not crying, you’re crying! (The performance can be seen at the 39.50 mark on the She Rocks livestream below) Other respected female music industry guiding lights such as Paula Cole, Samantha Fish, AIJIA, Alecia “Mixi” Demner and more were honoured too.

SHE ROCKS AWARDS 2025. Copyright 2025 scottmitchellphotography.smugmug.com cr 1.25.25

The She Rocks accolade was significant for Palmer as not only were her music career achievements being recognised but her passionate work as an activist was also being acknowledged. Plus, the honour coming from the Womens’ International Music Network was just icing on the cake. “Right now, in this moment in time in my life, it has never felt more profound,” she told Australian Musician of the She Rocks honour in our exclusive interview.

On the night, Amanda Palmer gave a stunning speech about the power of volume in female voices, both loud and soft and the “freedom to be heard at any volume.” She also went on to thank the female executives in the room who made gear and instruments that helped to amplify female voices. Her acceptance speech was followed by a moving performance of her powerful song “Voicemail for Jill.” You can view the entire She Rocks show below courtesy of AXS TV’s livestream of the event. (Amanda’s speech and performance begins at the 1:05:56 mark)

In a break between She Rocks Awards rehearsal and the actual event, Amanda Palmer kindly sat down for an in-depth chat with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips.

The interview was recorded primarily for NAMM’s fabulous Oral History program, with Australian Musician given permission to run our own version too. The NAMM Oral History Program is an archive of recordings of interviews with people from all aspects of the music industry and includes everyone from Les Paul, Carol Kay, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock to Robby Krieger, Robbie Robertson, Hal Blaine, to Judy Collins and thousands more. The NAMM Oral History version of Amanda’s interview will be posted within the next couple of months.

Australian Musician however, is pleased to present our version here now. We would like to acknowledge the  generosity of Amanda in granting us this interview at a time when she has been otherwise quiet. In this very special interview, we discussed the power of music and creativity, her career milestones, love of the ukulele and much more.
Photo magic by www.PixieVision.com
Amanda’s jumpsuit courtesy of https://risendivision.com/

Check out our exclusive AMANDA PALMER interview here

 

Here’s the AXS TV She Rocks livestream

And photos of Amanda’s She Rocks Awards day at the NAMM Show 2025 by www.pixievision.com

 

Photo magic by www.PixieVision.com Amanda’s jumpsuit courtesy of https://risendivision.com/

Photo magic by www.PixieVision.com Amanda’s jumpsuit courtesy of https://risendivision.com/

At the Kurzweil booth
At the Kurzweil booth
Amanda and Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips

Share this

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn