The Details Behind Amanda Palmer's Amazing Impromptu Music Video
from the connecting-with-fans dept
On Friday, we posted a guest post from singer Amanda Palmer, all about her thoughts on connecting with fans. If you didn't get a chance to read the whole thing, at the end she included a music video that she did. However, the story behind that music video is so good that it deserves a separate post of its own. We already know that Amanda has been a big fan of using Twitter to reach out to fans, and she did exactly that in this case -- but not to film a video. Just to hold an impromptu "flash gig" on the beach with two days' notice. Cool idea. Other bands should try that as well.And then... one of her fans suggested the morning of the gig that she learn this song by Cat Stevens. So she did. And she went to the beach and a bunch of her fans showed up and she played some music and everyone was happy. And then they realized that the setting was great to film a music video. One of the people there was Danna Kinsky, who hardly knew Amanda, but is a filmmaker, and had her camera. Another person there was Lindsey Barnes, a photographer, who agreed to shoot some photos of the group. And, with the help of Kirsten Vangsness to corral and organize people, they created an impromptu music video...
The whole thing was thought up, organized and completed in 20 minutes. There was some after the fact editing and sound work, which appears to have taken a few weeks, but the end result is really amazing. It's a better music video than an awful lot of expensive professional music videos... and it was a spur of the moment thing. As the video notes at the end, musicians shouldn't fear Twitter, but learn to embrace it:
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Filed Under: amanda palmer, connect with fans, fans, reason to buy, video
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* well she wouldn't have those fans and people around her (that could film it etc) if it wasn't for her record deal
* you have my attention and you play a song you didn't write? pfft
* mike had a hard-on for amanda palmer - enough posts about her, already!
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It isn't exactly simple.
Oh yeah, your #3 is sort of true as well. Mike is working very, very hard to promote his little club, dedicating about 1 in 10 posts to promote it. It's almost comical at this point, it's not CwF, as much as making fans tired of the shilling of the "product". But hey, his blog, his way, whatever.
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Who said it was "the best connection." It was the song she wanted to play and record for this audience at this time -- in part because a fan (oh look!) had asked her to learn and play it. That certainly seems like connecting.
And I honestly don't understand the argument against cover songs. Pretty much *all* musicians play covers at one time or another, and it's actually become incredibly popular for well known acts to also cover songs of others. The Beatles, for example, did cover songs as well, and it often helped connect *more* with fans, because the fans of those original songs liked hearing the covers as well.
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FACE PALM!
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If you can't see the difference between a tool (hammer, instrument) and a product (house, song), then there isn't much more to add here.
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I can't hear you over the sound of someone else's keyboard.
Give it a rest already.
FACE PALM!
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I have to admit, I am looking forward to the other artists' offerings in the group as I'm not extremely familiar with any of them.
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What does Yusuf Islam have to say about this?
Just asking. I like the video just fine, but since it was a tune that is under "copyright", I couldn't help thinking that if Coldplay and Joe Satriani could accidentally (or deliberately and maliciously) "steal" the music of Mr. Yusuf Islam, what does the future hold for Ms. Palmer?
Is he cool with it and all is well? Does she have a deal to feed him the royalties he is due?
Or is this a big "f**k you", Mr. CopyRight I. Property - We just sang this song because we love it and you should be happy we remember your work.
I honestly don't know what to think about this.
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Re: What does Yusuf Islam have to say about this?
I think I've heard several artists speak about covers in the past, and as long as they don't claim it to be an original song, it's fair game.
I could be wrong but I believe that's what I've heard.
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Will there be a backlash?
Any thoughts? And I'm not inviting the trolls to comment. I'm interested in hearing from people who follow music PR and music news closely. I follow the pre and post-SXSW coverage each year. So many bands are talked about heavily around that time and then they seem to disappear from sight in six months. So there's a certain risk in being the buzz band of the moment.
Is there an equivalent risk in being the tech-buzz-artist of the moment?
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Re: Will there be a backlash?
Sure, that's always possible, but who will the backlash be from? It seems that true fans don't get discouraged easily. The backlash tends to come from folks who weren't really fans in the first place.
Any thoughts? And I'm not inviting the trolls to comment. I'm interested in hearing from people who follow music PR and music news closely. I follow the pre and post-SXSW coverage each year. So many bands are talked about heavily around that time and then they seem to disappear from sight in six months. So there's a certain risk in being the buzz band of the moment.
That's a good point -- though I think a very different issue. Pure buzz is one thing, but continually doing new and innovative and cool things that fans like is quite different.
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Re: Will there be a backlash?
really, people are still buying that regurgitated written-by-committee shit that Britney Spears puts out despite that "fatigue" you've stated.
I'm curious as to what the limit will be for someone as talented and much less annoying as Palmer.
There's another aspect that never gets addressed here but I imagine some of these musicians are doing it because they're artists. Most are happy to just pay the rent and have enough food for the week so they continue doing what they do....creating. It's enough.
Yeah, it's hippy shit but not everyone is out to make a million. thank christ.
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In addition to being a member of the alphabet connection...
Just asking.
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Re: In addition to being a member of the alphabet connection...
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Re: Re: In addition to being a member of the alphabet connection...
[stands to give a standing ovation for such a stupid, stupid reply]
Gee, as though 90% of visitors to this site wouldn't know about this handy little add-on.
But what about those who don't use Firefox, genius?
My request was for those users. Given your brain's inherent problem (memory issues already? Get help!), it's no wonder you skipped the point of my post.
See you around, although you won't remember me.
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Re: In addition to being a member of the alphabet connection...
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Re: In addition to being a member of the alphabet connection...
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Thank you
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This story doesn't add up...
"And then they realized that the setting was great to film a music video. One of the people there was Danna Kinsky, who hardly knew Amanda, but is a filmmaker, and had her camera. Another person there was Lindsey Barnes, a photographer, who agreed to shoot some photos of the group. And, with the help of Kirsten Vangsness to corral and organize people, they created an impromptu music video...
The whole thing was thought up, organized and completed in 20 minutes."
I'm sorry but count me as a little skeptical about this story line that, magically in 20 minutes a videographer, and stage manager and the lighting is perfect and it all just came together.
Details that don't add up
1. There is a guy with a tuba- sure that's what I would take to the beach with no planning
2. People have those fake picture frames that HP or someone used in ads. Sure that's what I grab as I head off to the beach or a beach concert!
3. I am sure that I would have so many helium balloons that a heavy helium tank would have to be hauled to the beach with no premeditation
I am sure people here can find lots of other examples of premeditation to counter the above kool-aid mythology of it all just happened.
***As a footnote, The video is fine I just don't like to be led on about no premeditation. Just trying to have some fun here and get everyone to wake up their powers of observation.***
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Re: This story doesn't add up...
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Re: This story doesn't add up...
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Re: Re: This story doesn't add up...
It's called marketing. Amanda Facepalm Palmer is good at that, it seems.
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Re: Re: Re: This story doesn't add up...
Hmm. I thought it was clearly explained, but since apparently it wasn't:
* The gathering on the beach was announced 2 days earlier.
* The song itself was learned that morning
Both of those points were made in the post.
But the decision to film the video, the plan to do it, and the actual recording of it, took a total of 20 minutes. That's about 15 min of planning, and ~5 min of shooting.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: This story doesn't add up...
Come on Mike, admit it. It's a fake, a well constructed piece of "not quite what it is claimed to be", and you got suckered on it. I know it hurts, but could you imagine that perhaps Amanda Facepalm Palmer is using your blog to promote herself, playing you?
No, you are too smart to fall for that one, aren't you?
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It's as spontaneous as an act of congress.
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"I have to add this, for a song that she "just happened to learn" and for these apparent flash mob moments, Amanda seems to be doing the EXACT same very well rehearsed performance in different places. "
Have you ever heard U2 do a cover? They do them 'wrong.' I.e., it's pretty much the lyrics Bono remembers off the top of his head, sort of like how you sing in the shower.
HTH HAND
You might find this surprising, but they're pretty consistent.
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Wow...
Go Amanda!
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Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
"* The song itself was learned that morning "
Then how would you explain a quick YouTube search where there is posted Amanda singing the same exact song dated 6/10/09 and wearing a totally different outfit (312 views). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAgTSIepxD4
The date on the YouTube video Mike posted above is 7/1/09.
I think there is some myth making going on here. I understand you are just going by what is presented to you but this was as carefully scripted event as the parade that magicly forms in Disneyworld seemingly out of the blue.
If you are going to report what other people say then start it off with something like "according to Amanda..." rather than give it so much weight as if you had researched it.
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Re: Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
Try reading the information about the video - it clearly says "Amanda Palmer Live @ Ninja Beach Gig Encore at the end of 21st St., Hermosa Beach, CA 07/01/09"
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Re: Re: Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
Odd, isn't it?
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
PLus it is called "Amanda Palmer Ninja Beach Meet-Up #2" - Hmmm.
http://www.polyvore.com/amanda_palmer_ninja_beach_party/set?id=10413886
"We were supposed to wear formal/prom wear and bring crazy props"
Hmmm. Spontaneous indeed!
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Re: Re: Re: Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
The least you could do is admit to a massive gaffe. Calling Mike out when you mistook 6 of 10 for June 10 sure makes you look bad. Sometimes the best course of action is retreat.
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Re: Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
As someone else pointed out, that video is not from 6/10 but is the 6th out of 10 videos from that *same* day's gig.
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Re: Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
you're not paying very good attention and the info in said video you linked to as it points out that it was recorded the same day as the above "music vid"
the video is labeled 6/10 i.e. 6 out of 10 videos......nowhere did i see 6/10/09. don't come huffing and puffing based on your sheer distaste of mike/amanda...do YOUR research
and by the by, i apologize in advance if i somehow got confused....i mean......it makes total sense i might've....and that the same uploader has a magic calendar wherein they saw tegan and sara play a show on "15/22" whenever the hell that falls in the calendar year
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Re: Smoking Gun did not learn song that morning
If you want my job of most ignored douchebag on Techdirt you're welcomed to have it.
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I stand corrected
Sorry.
My original thought was that this has an element of premeditation to it and was not totally spontaneous.
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Re: I stand corrected
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What is funny in the end it is likely Techdirt and Mike that have been "PNW3D", becoming the unwitting accomplices that help to make the myths "real" by giving them coverage.
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Really? I don't see that at all. The only so-called "evidence" that this was not accurate was a supposed earlier performance of the same song that turned out not to be true. There is zero evidence that the claims made in the video and the post are not true.
> The myth of the flash mob is replaced by the reality of people getting warning far ahead, getting told what to wear, etc.
The fact that it was two days notice was mentioned both in the blog post above and in the video. How is it a "myth"? And two days isn't exactly "far ahead". And the only thing that was announced two days in advance was the fact that there would be a gig on the beach. The video itself was what was planned out in 20 minutes.
> Then Amanda takes the act on the road and repeats it in other placed. Spontaneous things don't keep happening exactly the same way over and over again.
They filmed videos elsewhere? I'm not sure if you've just never been around the music industry, but if someone does something that works well at a performance, they usually use it again. If she found that the crowd liked this particular song, why not play it again?
But the issue here wasn't about playing this song. It was about the video - and you have presented no evidence at all that the story behind it was false. The only evidence you presented was shown to be false and you (I think it was you) claimed there were other earlier videos and someone asked you to prove it. Yet you didn't. You just came back with more baseless assertions.
If anything that makes me even more convinced the story was real. There's no evidence to the contrary at all.
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Pretty simple, the link I posted before was from a guy who was notified two days before to show up "We were supposed to wear formal/prom wear and bring crazy props". That wouldn't be a requirement for just Amanda Facepalm Palmer pushing her book and playing the ukulele. It is very obvious that even at that point, it was clear that video was going to be shot, and that people with props and outfits would be needed.
It's the setup that is key, there is obvious planning that went into this supposed spontaneous moment. Select the right time, the right place, you just happen to have a video crew, a stage manager, and a bunch of other required people on hand. You just happen to have learned a song that morning, yet you were inviting people 2 days before to dress up for the video?
Come off it. It's a pure setup, wel disguised I will admit, but a setup, total marketing from end to end.
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I still can't see why you think this is a smoking gun. We said the notification was from two days prior. That doesn't change the story. In fact it was a PART of the story.
As for wearing crazy outfits/props, that had nothing to do with the video itself (though helped spark the idea for the video).
Frankly, even if she had planned it out, I'm not sure what difference that would make? It would still be a fan built and fan created video made in a very short period of time. Even if you were right (which there remains no evidence of), the story is still the same and still a good example of connecting with fans.
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They just happen to have an HD camera crew (nice higher end camera too, I saw it briefly in the other guys' video from the other side), the perfect location, the stage manager, the people who just happened to be in the right costumes for the event, the correct song (which was a main song in her little CwF tour), and so on. It wasn't spontaneous, it was well planned like any good piece of marketing. I am sure that the few unaware fans that came to the deal really feel like they had a life changing experience. Everyone else did their part and the charade is complete.
I give Facepalm a full round of applause, not only did she pull the wool over the eyes of a few fans, but apparently she did it to you too!
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"People were told what to wear" - If you knew anything about Amanda, you would understand how NOT NOTABLE this was. People dress up for Amanda's shows *all* the time. I've been to two shows where she said via blog to dress up just so that everyone would look nice. The last time she had a Ninja Twitter Beach gathering, people brought cameras! (Can you believe it? How shocking!) Since there was obviously a high likelihood that people would bring cameras, Amanda told people to dress up. Suggesting people dress up because there is a HIGH *CHANCE* fans will bring cameras does NOT EQUAL PLANNING THE VIDEO. Pleas edon't assume that your "evidence" exists for the SOLE REASON of supporting your case.
"What as an HD Camera crew doing at the beach" - There was no "crew" & I'm not sure how she ended up there; there's two possibilities:
-There was a nice lady who had an HD video recorder with her. Is that... really so difficult to believe? That someone with a nice camera would... use it? She was at the beach and decided to film things. That's not out of the ordinary. I'm sure that on any given day there are a bunch of people with cameras.
-She heard about the gathering via twitter. Bringing the camera would be obvious; Amanda has a very publicly open policy on recording her shows. And if she had the camera and was a director, why not? Again, this is not WEIRD and it's NOT evidence of fowl play.
"She didn't learn the song in one day." Ridiculous point. Already dealt with.
"She told people to bring props" - Again, this argument is just a result of you not understanding Amanda and her community. People bring weird things to her shows all the time. The last show I went to had people blowing bubbles. Picture frames you speak of could have been a gift for Amanda. I assure you that something like that is completely normal for an Amanda show. If this had really been planned you would have a LOT more to complain about than some picture frames like in a commercial.
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Anonymous Coward - Think harder
I didn't go - my cat got sick. Such is life. But for you, Anon. Coward, in being so insistent that something like this was just a publicity stunt, completely ignore that fact that people like me might "get" Amanda's intent - All of it: The fun, the publicity, the adventure, the "connection" that we wouldn't have otherwise, and that doesn't happen often enough.
I would have been, frankly, shocked if someone hadn't shown up with some kind of video camera. Your comments about the light show that you haven't been to SoCal - at least not often. And as others have said here, you obviously "know" Amanda palmer and her audience less than even I do, and I've never seen her live, or purchased her album or her book.
Your standard of spontaneity is laughable. Your cynicism is sad.
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From the perspective of an attendee
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