“You were wild, where are you now?”
– Tori Amos, ‘Hotel,’ 1998
Have you ever wondered Y Kant Tori Read? Probably not, which more than likely has something to do with the fact Tori Amos‘ first excursion in pop music flopped. But, while Tori was once a bit of a joke in the 80s, she has grown to become one of the music industry’s most respected artists. Included in this article are a few highlights of her career.
“Some people are afraid of what they might find if they try to analyze themselves too much, but you have to crawl into your wounds to discover where your fears are. Once the bleeding starts, the cleansing can begin.”
– Tori Amos, Break, August 14, 1996
Once Tori discovered she could in fact read, it didn’t take long for some Little Earthquakes to come along and reveal what was Under the Pink. Then she offered up a few Boys for Pele.
Wether it be a devote Toriphile or just a casual listener, any Tori Amos fan knows her reputation for being eccentric. As far as her interviews go, there’s not much to note other than her being very open, quirky, educated, and well-spoken. As she progressed through her career she became more understanding and patient, but that was not the case during the interview below. What went down in 1998 might make you think you’ve ‘Caught a Lite Sneeze.’
Around the time of From the Choirgirl Hotel, Tori goes off on Richard Kingsmill. It is worth noting, as Richard points out, Tori had a rough 18 months prior to this interview. Just as equally, it is important to note that Richard puts Tori on hold at the start of the interview. Skip to the 7:36 mark to hear where things start to head south. Would you want to sit down with a margarita with her after a conversation like this? She never looked so sane.
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“There was a period in the late ’80s where I was working with different shaman. Myself and a friend, Beene, would take ayahuasca – but it wouldn’t be in the liquid form, it would be a freeze-dried pill – and mushrooms. Some of those trips were eighteen hours long and I’ll never forget, once I ended up sitting by the bush trying to ask the flowers why they didn’t like me. It’s like, Why can’t I be your friend? I was crawling out of my skin at that time. In my twenties I was really… I was just losing my mind.”
– Tori Amos, Q, May 1998
Then Tori and a few of her girlfriends went To Venus and Back, followed by a beautiful Scarlet’s Walk.
In 2002, during a time when Tori was recording Scarlet’s Walk she sits down for an interview with Anne Powers. They discuss destiny, feminism, artistry, her creative process, sexism, botox, and touring and creating around the time of the tragic events of September 11th. You’ll have to excuse the horrible quality of this video.
In 2005, they will go on to write together a book about Tori’s creative process, Piece By Piece. Since she has released a few records, including American Doll Posse, a “political is personal” concept album using various characters Tori derived from Greek mythology, as well as Night of Hunters, a 21st century song cycle inspired by select classical pieces spanning the last 400 years. Tori’s last album was 2012’s retrospective re-imagining Gold Dust.
“I’d be quite happy, as an artist, if I knew that a verse, even a line in one of my songs could liberate people in some way, particularly from a fear of the darker side of their own nature. What is any art form worth if it doesn’t do that? Isn’t that what all great art is all about?”
– Tori Amos, Q, May 1998
If you’re looking for a small collection of some of the highlights of Tori’s career check out Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection. For a more thorough compliation of her discography you’ll want to grab A Piano. Or check out the full length concert, courtesy of NPR, below. Skip to the 9 minute mark to catch her do her trademark move, playing two piano’s at once.
She recently collaborated with The Bullits on the song ‘Wait Until Tomorrow.’ Tori recently developed her first stage play, The Light Princess. Check out our review of Comic Book Tattoo.
