Music Monday: Amanda F****** Palmer

In an ongoing series of music interviews posted here every Monday, here is one with the former Dresden Dolls singer...

I usually take it with a pinch of salt whenever a famous musician tells me Ireland is the place they're most looking forward to visiting on their upcoming European tour. But it was actually very true in the case of Amanda Palmer, who was inspired to write a song about abortion called Voicemail for Jill when one of her trips to Dublin coincided with the Repeal the Eighth referendum.

"I am happy to talk to you about sex, marriage, and abortion all day but don’t forget that mostly I’m a songwriter—make sure you write something about the music, OK?" she said, laughing.

The American singer-songwriter, who is sometimes referred to as Amanda F****** Palmer, is a refreshingly honest and candid interview subject. She has a penchant for wearing her heart on her sleeve.

The former Dresden Dolls singer may speak the naked truth, but she equally had no qualms about stripping down to her birthday suit for the cover of her album, There Will Be No Intermission, or even on stage when she once wanted to make a point. Google “Amanda Palmer bares it all on stage” to check out the YouTube clip and the full hilarious story behind her reason for doing so.

The 40-something-year-old came relatively late to motherhood; she has a young son named Ash with ex-husband, the best-selling author Neil Gaiman. [This interview took place before Gaiman was accused of sexual misconduct.]