Amanda Palmer, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways… Not only has Amanda released a new Dresden Dolls record, No Virginia, she’s also got a solo record waiting in the wings (Who Killed Amanda Palmer, out 15 September), as well as her cabaret act, Evelyn Evelyn, in which she plays a conjoined twin with Jason Webley. We spoke to Amanda about her fans, Evelyn Evelyn and childhood trauma…

You’ve written songs about rape, masturbation and death. Is there anything you won’t write about?
Oh, of course there are things I won’t write about. I won’t write about anything that will really, truly hurt someone I know. That’s been a tough call. Writing when angry and frustrated comes naturally to me for some reason, and my anger’s often pointed at people. I’m wondering how my mum is going to react to some of the hyperbolic lines about my family on the new record. They were written when I was much younger. But still, they’re great songs. What to do?

You’re a fan of slogan T-shirts…
I only like them if they’re heavily ironic. My favourite T-shirt slogan
was one I saw a woman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, wearing years ago, when I was street performing. It said: ‘Be Alert. The World Needs More Lerts’. I’m also fond of the postmodern ‘Your Shirt Says
Princess, But Your Face Says Troll’.

Who are Evelyn Evelyn?
Evelyn and Evelyn are conjoined twin sisters who I discovered with Jason Webley on MySpace. They’d posted a great cover song and we asked if we could produce a record of originals, and they said yes. They’re incredibly talented but a little hard to work with – they’re very moody and shy. They don’t like playing live. They’re finishing up their album this year – which has taken a long time since Jason and I are constantly touring and working on other projects. But it’ll come out sooner or later. When it does, Jason and I will probably do a co-headlining tour and bring them with us.

Do you have a fave sideshow act?
I’m secretly in love with Captain Frodo, the Rubberman from La Clique at the Spiegeltent. I love his ability to entrance an audience and how he always throws confetti on himself.

You like to take performers with you on tour – who have you worked with recently?
I had the pleasure of touring with Meow Meow. She’s a one-woman, postmodern kamikaze cabaret performer. She’s a cross between stand-up, opera, cabaret and God knows what. Laurie Anderson meets Ute Lemper meets Lydia Lunch. I hope to tour with her in Europe.
You recently had surgery to remove nodes on your vocal chords. How did you cope with not talking?
I spent a lot of time alone, and when I went out I used my Blackberry to flash people texts. I learned that I talk too much. I hosted a small silent party last week for my birthday. It was wonderful. Everybody ended up acting very high and dancing and laughing and making out. Instant party.

What are the weirdest things your fans have done for you?
My fans are the most wonderful people on the fucking planet. They’re insanely intelligent and artistic, and I find myself constantly impressed by the shit they make and do. I love them.
A bunch of them recently staged a large Who Killed Amanda Palmer? funeral/crime scene photoshoot in Boston. I hear it was quite a party.

And this fantastic Philadelphia couple once brought our entire crew and the opening acts a home-made, gourmet vegan dinner. They just showed up with it after the show. We were in heaven!

Which film character are you like?
I’m a little like Clementine in Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. I saw that film and it was jaw-droppingly similar to my first real love relationship.

You posted a story you wrote aged four on the Write Me Stories website. What was it about?
I have no idea. It scared the shit out of me when I read it. It was about being abducted and tied up by two strange men. I was a weird little kid. Maybe something happened I can’t remember. We’ll never know.