karadawnelle:

Hey Bob,

I know you’re done on the Palmer kerfuffle but thought I’d share my story with you.

I’ve been a fan of Palmer’s since 2004. She’s been my favourite musician since the Dolls. Back in 2008 right before the release of Who Killed Amanda Palmer, Amanda’s assistant Beth put out a twitter call out requesting an intern to help with several AFP projects. The intern did not need to live in Boston or NYC. 

I reached out and got the gig. At the time I was living 600 miles north of Toronto literally in the middle of nowhere. I helped out with Amanda’s online merch company, Post-War Trade, back when it was completely DIY artist commissioned work. I volunteered about 10-15 hours a week. I flew down to Toronto when the WKAP tour came through. I was on the guest list, Amanda gave me her love and any free merch I wanted. It was amazing. 

June 2009, not long after the news came out that Neil Gaiman & Amanda were now a couple— which might I add Neil has been my favourite author since 2000— SPIN magazine organized events featuring an author & a musician for a night of readings & music. So in June 2009, a Neil & Amanda event was held in NYC. 

Amanda paid my flight to NYC where I was a photographer for the event and also part of the crew for her headlining show at the Highline Ballroom two nights later. I stayed at her assistant’s place in Brooklyn. My first time in NYC and I got to hang out with my favourite musician and my favourite author. I had my copy of Neverwhere that I’ve had for 12 years now, signed by Neil. He also drew me a picture of the Sandman that I’m getting tattooed.

For three magical days I was part of her world. And I would gladly do it again if given the opportunity. For free.

Kara
@KaraDawnElle

I originally wrote the above email to Bob Lefsetz after he published The Amanda Palmer Kerfuffle on his blog about her recent press controversy on the heels of her latest album release, Theatre Is Evil. I sent the email totally not expecting him to publish my letter in his Mailbag email to the newsletter on September 16th. 

But he did. Here’s the full story:

When I applied for the internship, there should have been no way that I had a chance of getting it. I was this insignificant Native chick living in the middle of nowhere in Northern Ontario thinking I had no chance.

I really thought it’d be impossible that I’d get the internship and in fact I forgot I had even applied for it until several months later when I finally got a reply back from Beth, Amanda’s assistant. She said I sounded the most promising. I passed my first research job for Amanda’s upcoming solo tour that got me the job.

By late 2008, I had an airfare credit and a friend with an empty bachelor apartment in Toronto I was able to use for Amanda’s Toronto show. I was on the guestlist and she made sure I got free merch, free love and recognition for being an intern as part of her team. I had already seen the Dresden Dolls earlier that year in January before they went on hiatus. 

In early 2009, Beth emailed to let me know that there was a headlining Amanda Palmer show in NYC for June. She said that Amanda was going to pay my airfare to NYC so I can see the show as appreciation for the work I’ve done.

At the same time, it was just becoming known that Amanda was dating Neil Gaiman who just happened to be my favourite author. As it turned out, Neil & Amanda were to perform at an event together several days before her headlining show in NYC I was to be there for:

Two days later, Amanda headlined at the Highline Ballroom. 

The entire trip was magic. Beyond my utter imagination that all of this had happened.

I was just this Native chick with big dreams that managed to grasp onto an experience of a lifetime. 

It made me believe that the impossible really is possible.

I will never forget this experience I was gratefully given the opportunity of.