New Amanda Palmer Video for "Oasis" + Interview with Melissa Mahoney

All week long, I've been mightily obsessed with "Oasis," the latest single from Who Killed Amanda Palmer? The album finds Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer showcasing her solo material along with the help of Mr. Ben Folds who took the reins as producer.

What I'm even more obsessed with is the video and it's, dare I say, tongue-in-cheek performance from its cast of characters. Specifically, I'm talking about one Melissa Mahoney, ie, Amanda's "best friend" in the clip. We were lucky enough to chat with Melissa herself this week to discuss the video and the word on the street that she's a tough cookie to work with.

SIS: Who is the real Melissa Mahoney and why is she so unusual?

MM: I am the real Melissa Mahoney. I am so unusual either from listening to She's So Unusual too many times as a child, or because of my in-depth knowledge of abortion clinics.

SIS: Did you have to fight with Amanda to play yourself in the video? I mean the song does talk about you quite a bit.

MM: No, she was looking for me to be in it. I can be hard to track down, but she found me outside a bar in Brooklyn and before I knew it, the cameras were rolling.

SIS: Do you think of yourself as a celebrity now? Do you think this will be the open door to your successful acting and/or singing career?

MM: Well, I haven't been recognized on the street yet... we'll see. If anyone else drags me out of a bar, I guess I'd go along with it. For a video, that is. my only plan for right now is to try to get an autographed photo of Blur to one-up Amanda.

SIS: There were rumors circulating that you are very difficult to work with and have had run-in's with other musicians and celebs who shall remain nameless. What would you like to say to clear you name?

MM: I may or may not be going head-to-head with Elizabeth Hasselbeck on The View to clear up all of these rumors. Don't pay attention to everything you read in Us Weekly.

SIS: What do you think is the message Amanda is trying to convey to her listeners with the song? And does she really like Oasis that much?

MM: I think it's really about what a good friend I am, helping her out with her abortion like that. Even though I did tell everyone at school that she was a crackwhore. It was all in good fun. And who doesn't love them some Britpop!?

See the video for yourself, thank you Pitchfork:

Monday Morning Newsletter (9/15/08)

The RNC continues to use music without seeking the permission of its copyright holders. Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar recently commented: “Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given to use Right Now.” McCain use the song “Right Now” at a rally in Dayton, Ohio just a week ago. Perhaps Ted Nugent will license him a little something?

AC/DC has announced their first world tour since 2001 will kick off October 28 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The tour will begin with a set of arena gigs in America. Dates for South America, Europe and Asia are to be announced shortly. Bad news for Abba fans; the highly anticipated Abba museum will not open as planned next year. Organizers maintain that the project will proceed as planned, but will be unavoidably delayed. The city of Stockholm is obviously disappointed as this was their only hope for tourism beyond academic research groupies.

Prince will be releasing a self-described “coffee table book” this October. The tome 21 Nights will document his 21-night run at London's O2 Arena. The collection of candid photographs comes packaged with a CD, Indigo Nights.

Linkin Park's Chester Bennington will be releasing a solo album early next year. Since 2005 he’s been squirreling away tracks since 2005 for the side project. The working title is “Dead By Sunrise” but that’s so terrible Jose expects it to change.

Hi Fi Recordings will be releasing a new album from Todd Rundgren September 30th. The LP, Arena is Rundgren’s first studio album in four years. The album is rumored to be his first guitar-focused rock album since 1993’s No World Order.

Kanye West was arrested at LAX International Airport and then released this week. Apparently a TMZ photographer got up in his grille and his body guard broke the man’s video camera. West and his bodyguard are expected to be charged with vandalism and battery. TMZ has already posted the video.

Avenged Sevenfold has canceled the remaining dates on their U.S. tour due to vocal fatigue. Vocalist M. Shadows first experienced problems a week ago at a show in Huntington, WV. He was diagnosed with vocal fatigue days later. The tour will resume on October 15 in Japan. José recommends laying off the blunts.

Oasis’s new album Dig Out Your Soul will be out this October. The LP will be also be released as a collector's edition which includes a bonus disc of remixes and b-sides, a DVD, a vinyl copy of the album, and a hardcover book. The collectors edition weighs about 11 lbs.

The long rumored White Zombie 5-disc box set will see a release late this year. Rob zombie himself describes the compilation as complete and unadulterated. This rumor dates back to 1996, but it appears all the legal obstructions have aligned and Mr. Zombie has a green light. No information on the label as yet.