Amanda Palmer has been very public about wanting to be free from her contract with Roadrunner Records. While acknowledging the role the label played early in her career, now that they've finally let he go, Amanda is just as vocal about the joys of her hard won freedom and the possibilities of an unshackled future. Here along with a new song offered (via Bandcamp) to her fans for free (donations accepted) is her letter to Roadrunner and the world:
FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST(DEAR ROADRUNNER RECORDS…)
dear The World,
i come from a background of grassroots theater and street performance, and i think that artists should feel no shame while passing the hat around once they’ve entertained a crowd of people.it’s been a huge and obvious irony that i have been legally unable to ask for money for my music, since it’s been verboten by my contract with roadrunner.now that i’m unshackled, i plan on doing a lot of really awesome and creative things with my songs and how people can pay for them – or, better yet, donate – now that i have control over my stuff.a lot of people have asked me if i have any regrets about signing with a major label. the answer: no. below you will find a goodbye letter i have written to roadrunner.for right now & in celebration of this great event, i am very pleased to be able to – for the first time since the year 2003 – offer you this track from my house to yours….legally and free of charge. if you should feel inclined to “donate” more than the bare minimum (ZERO/FREE), you can do that too. even if you only donate a symbolic dollar, i’ll see every single cent of it (after paypal transaction fees, of course).i wrote this song a few months ago, and didn’t know it would be used for this purpose, but it’s pretty perfect.nobody had heard it up until a few days ago except for neil gaiman (my man) and tom dickins (my dear australian friend)…i played it for them in my house right after i wrote it.
they liked it, so i’m gonna give it to you…BECAUSE I CAN. (can you visualize me doing my happy crack dance as i write this??)