Amanda Palmer

As much as her music and aesthetic, a big part of Amanda Palmer's appeal is how close she allows - encourages, even - her fans to get. She leans over and hugs and kisses them from the stage. She asks them to send a text message to get on her mailing list. She greets them and autographs stuff after her shows. In return, they've supported her unconditionally, first as a member of the Dresden Dolls and now as a solo artist. They indulge her every whim, from her theatrical turn in "The Onion Cellar" to her recent performances with the Boston Pops.

Self-proclaimed piano-slayer Amanda Palmer and her band the Grand Theft Orchestra are set to release a CD - the first in four years for the Lexington-bred lass - and she's launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance a global release. The band, featuring Michael McQuilken, Chad Raines, and Jherek Bischoff, recorded the album in Australia with producer John Congleton, who's worked with St. Vincent, Murder by Death, and Modest Mouse, among others. As part of the rollout, Palmer's planning an 18-month tour and a pop-up art exhibition in six cities in the United States and Europe this summer.

Self-proclaimed piano-slayer Amanda Palmer and her band the Grand Theft Orchestra are set to release a CD - the first in four years for the Lexington-bred lass - and she's launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance a global release. The band, featuring Michael McQuilken, Chad Raines, and Jherek Bischoff, recorded the album in Australia with producer John Congleton, who's worked with St. Vincent, Murder by Death, and Modest Mouse, among others. As part of the rollout, Palmer's planning an 18-month tour and a pop-up art exhibition in six cities in the United States and Europe this summer.

There were a few notables at the Rethink Music speakers' dinner hosted at the Harvard Club by the Berklee College of Music the other night. Having a nosh were (from left) Amy Heidemann of Karmin, DJ Spooky, and Amanda Palmer. The Rethink Music conference at the Hynes Convention Center was intended to generate ideas for solving the many problems plaguing the music business, including branding, touring, promotion, and more.

There were a few notables at the Rethink Music speakers' dinner hosted at the Harvard Club by the Berklee College of Music the other night. Having a nosh were (from left) Amy Heidemann of Karmin, DJ Spooky, and Amanda Palmer. The Rethink Music conference at the Hynes Convention Center was intended to generate ideas for solving the many problems plaguing the music business, including branding, touring, promotion, and more.

As anyone knows who first saw her - an 8-foot bride in bright white gown and face to match, towering over curious passersby in Harvard Square - Amanda Palmer rarely does anything small, subtle, or out of the spotlight. "Who Killed Amanda Palmer," the new solo debut from the onetime living statue-turned-Dresden Dolls frontwoman, is no exception. Leave it to the Lexington-raised singer-songwriter to transform what was initially intended to be a modest, bedroom-recorded album of piano and voice into an expansive treatise on life, death, and...

There's no shortage of singers supporting Occupy Wall Street. Musicians who've performed for the movement include Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello , David Crosby and Graham Nash , Joan Baez , and Amanda Palmer . (The Lexington-bred Palmer has hit several Occupy sites with her husband, Neil Gaiman - Boston, LA, Oakland, Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle - and is working with Boston filmmaker Michael Gill ...

How did Bruins star Brad Marchand fortify for last night's emotional home opener? With a big plate of mac and cheese at Max and Dylans, of course. (Yes, he was showing off his Stanley Cup ring.)… . Meanwhile, the entire Flyers team, including coach (and Franklin native) Peter Laviolette dined at Strega Waterfront the night before the big game. Coincidentally, former Bruin Mark Recchi and B's winger Tyler Seguin were also there at separate tables… . Seen in the Garden crowd before the puck dropped last night were Hizzoner Tom Menino , Police...

Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski and his brother Dan had quite a time of it at the Wedgewood Pines Country Club in Stow. The football brothers took part in the Playboy Golf Scramble, joining a bevy of beauties, including Playmates Amy Andrews and Shanna McLaughlin . We're told the Gronks and the gals - there were 50 "Girls of Playboy Golf" in all - also played Twister… . Pats defensive backs Josh Barrett and Devin McCourty...

No one seemed too concerned that Amanda Palmer performed a rare solo set at the Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday night. There were no musings about where her Dresden Dolls partner, drummer Brian Viglione, might be. Perhaps, with the duo preparing to release a CD in April, there's nothing to worry about. As with any close-knit relationship, space is sometimes necessary. Palmer apologized that her voice was a little shot. It was due, she said, to overdoing it the night before at her sold-out solo show at Joe's Pub in New York.

There's no shortage of singers supporting Occupy Wall Street. Musicians who've performed for the movement include Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello , David Crosby and Graham Nash , Joan Baez , and Amanda Palmer . (The Lexington-bred Palmer has hit several Occupy sites with her husband, Neil Gaiman - Boston, LA, Oakland, Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle - and is working with Boston filmmaker Michael Gill ...

PICK OF THE DAY ‘Rocky' rebirth If you hear ‘‘The Rocky Horror Show" and think ‘‘been there, done that," think again. The Gold Dust Orphans' production of Richard O'Brien's cult musical claims to be so explosively new it will return you to a state of Rocky virginity. Go ahead, do the Time Warp again with Dr. Frank 'n' Furter (played by Ryan Landry), Brad, Janet, and the rest of the Transylvanians. Oct. 14-Dec. 2. Fridays, 10:30 p.m. $25-$55, students $20 day of show.

How did Bruins star Brad Marchand fortify for last night's emotional home opener? With a big plate of mac and cheese at Max and Dylans, of course. (Yes, he was showing off his Stanley Cup ring.)… . Meanwhile, the entire Flyers team, including coach (and Franklin native) Peter Laviolette dined at Strega Waterfront the night before the big game. Coincidentally, former Bruin Mark Recchi and B's winger Tyler Seguin were also there at separate tables… . Seen in the Garden crowd before the puck dropped last night were Hizzoner Tom Menino , Police Commissioner Ed Davis ,...

Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski and his brother Dan had quite a time of it at the Wedgewood Pines Country Club in Stow. The football brothers took part in the Playboy Golf Scramble, joining a bevy of beauties, including Playmates Amy Andrews and Shanna McLaughlin . We're told the Gronks and the gals - there were 50 "Girls of Playboy Golf" in all - also played Twister… . Pats defensive backs Josh Barrett and Devin McCourty...

JEFF MANGUM With ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble) At: Sanders Theatre, Friday CAMBRIDGE - Operating under the moniker Neutral Milk Hotel, Jeff Mangum recorded two albums - one of which, "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea," rapidly revealed itself as one of the best of its era - and then vanished for a dozen years. As a result, all Mangum has to do to wring fervent applause out of his devoted cult following is walk onstage. That's precisely what happened Friday night at Sanders Theatre, where a sold-out crowd that included...

JEFF MANGUM With ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble) At: Sanders Theatre, last night (repeats tonight at Jordan Hall) By Marc Hirsh Globe Correspondent CAMBRIDGE -- Operating under the moniker Neutral Milk Hotel, Jeff Mangum recorded two albums — one of which, "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea," rapidly revealed itself as one of the best of its era and well beyond — and then vanished for a dozen years. As a result, all Mangum has to do to wring fervent applause out of his devoted cult following is walk on stage.

The WFNX Best Music Poll concert found itself in an unusual position this year. In previous seasons, the celebration has been held in and around the clubs on Lansdowne Street and at the waterside venue currently known as the Bank of America Pavilion -- but on separate nights. This year the shows were held simultaneously. While some fans might have been torn, the Lansdowne Street crowds, filling the clubs to near capacity, weren't complaining. Local darlings the Dresden Dolls proved to have a tour-honed edge after opening shows for Nine Inch Nails, and they made the most of their...

ON WGBH Greater Boston 7 p.m. WGBH (Channel 2) Nova "Engineering Ground Zero" 9 p.m. WGBH (Channel 2) For the 10th anniversary of 9/11, "Nova" presents an epic story of engineering, innovation, and the perseverance of the human spirit. With extraordinary access granted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, "Engineering Ground Zero" follows the five-year construction of One World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. ON CHRONICLE Riding the Rails 7:30 p.m. WCVB-TV (Channel 5)