Theatre Is Evil

Singer, songwriter, piano-slayer and super blogger Amanda Palmer is preparing to release her first new studio album in four years, in conjunction with her new band, The Grand Theft Orchestra, featuring Michael McQuilken, Chad Raines, and Jherek Bishoff. Entitled THEATRE IS EVIL, the album was recently recorded in Melbourne with producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Murder By Death, Modest Mouse, Xiu Xiu).

Palmer and GTO will embark on a six-city summer tour, unveiling the new album as a series of intimate performances alongside a dynamic visual art exhibit featuring thirty contemporary artists including Francis Bean Cobain, Shepard Fairey, Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses), David Mack, and Cynthia Von Buhler.

Arguably her most pop-influenced album yet, THEATRE IS EVIL showcases Amanda's powerful vocals and talented songwriting in ways that might purprise even her most ardent fans. Written over the course of several years (since the release of her last studio album, WHO KILLED AMANDA PALMER), the album offers a collection of sounds and rhythms heavily influenced by the music Palmer grew up listening to - most notably 80's synth rock and Brit Pop.

True to form, the undispted queen of crowd-sourcing and fan engagement enlisted her community of loyal supporters to launch her ambitious global release, selling nearly 25,000 copies of her new album in multiple formats via Kickstarter, along with a variety of unique merch items including hand-painted turntables, two different coffee table art books featuring art from the group exhibit, and numerous Amanda Palmer experiences. All told, Palmer's pre-sales have already earned the artist over $1 million, garnering accolades from the likes of Forbes, CNN, The New York Times, and The Economist.