June 10, 2010

Radiohead covers, done on ukulele

3630991821-1

Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls) has just released the first song off her forthcoming album of Radiohead covers, done all on her “magical ukulele.” The album will be out via her bandcamp page in late July.

Not only is this the first time I’ve been able to understand a few of these lyrics without having the look them up (love you, Thom), the effect of the ukulele is far more chilling and unsettling than I would have thought. Amanda said, “the ukulele is perfect for laying that genius [of Radiohead songs] bare. I tried to strip the songs down as far as possible without destroying them.” It’s a very interesting, dark musical arrangement for such a teensy instrument. No hula here.

If you want to buy the song, it costs 40 cents to download. As Amanda explains, “Because: 9¢ goes to Radiohead (for letting me play their song) and the remainder goes to Paypal (to cover their transaction fees).” The future of direct music?

[via Some Velvet Blog, in his new home]

Tagged with , .

5 Comments

  • That’s pretty effective at retaining the chill of the original while being its own thing.

    Justin — June 12, 2010 @ 7:55 am

  • Sigh, that was wonderful. I love Amanda.

    p.s. I’ll have a press kit to send you soon. :) You’ll like it, I’m just waiting for the artist to finish the music.

    Felicia — June 17, 2010 @ 4:20 pm

  • I must hear more of this…

    Nelson — June 17, 2010 @ 9:25 pm

  • So are you still being petty towards Pearl Jam? I Haven’t bothered checking you out since you blew them off… can’t say I feel I missed much…. Have you matured at all?

    Bill D — July 1, 2010 @ 11:19 pm

  • i can’t imagine why that would interest you.

    browneheather — July 2, 2010 @ 1:54 pm

Comments RSS

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Subscribe to this tasty feed.
I tweet things. It's amazing.

Bio Pic Name: Heather Browne
Location: Colorado, originally by way of California
Giving context to the torrent since 2005.

"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel."
—Hunter S. Thompson

Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. Rock on.

View all Interviews → View all Shows I've Seen →