Grammy winning singer, songwriter and incredible pianist Tori Amos has been recording for major labels since 1992, but for her eleventh album due out next year, she's going it alone, ending her deal with Epic Records to release her work independently.

If there's anyone who has the fanbase and the know-how to step away from the money and promotion that the majors can give, it's Amos. She's maintained her eccentricity and arty piano pop while reaching a wide audience, and her new album is said to be even more interesting, described as "a project of new music and visuals." Leave it to Tori to get even more creative: her 2007 album, American Doll Posse, featured her as five different female characters based on Greek mythology. (Did I mention she's quite eccentric?)

The music business is certainly seeing artists find several new ways of self-promotion and distribution, including Radiohead giving their album away for any price fans wanted to pay online last year, and indie band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah turning down all label offers to continue Internet orders. If musicians want their music to be purchased and they'd like to actually reap the benefits of it, they are finding new ways, and Tori Amos is, as always, a trailblazer. Leave it to her to find some innovative ways to keep us interested. … continue reading

Are you ready for Tori Amos: The Comic Book? The ethereal piano goddess with the Titian hair will have her songs turned into a graphic novel anthology called Tori Amos’ Comic Book Tattoo, slated for release this summer.

The project was announced in this month’s SPIN magazine, and apparently some 70 artists have already signed on to transform Tori’s deeply personal and sometimes abstruse lyrics into artwork. The 400-plus page full-color collection should be ready in time for the San Diego Comic-Con this July. … continue reading

What do you want Tori Amos to be for Halloween?

Win the Tori Amos Halloween Contest and you get to dress Tori for her Halloween show in Pittsburgh. (No word on who gets to undress her.) The concert is part of her American Doll Posse tour in support of her latest album.

American Doll Posse is a concept album, a musical story told through five women — Santa, Clyde, Isabel, Tori and Pip — based on Aphrodite, Persephone, Artemis, Demeter and Athena, feminine archetypes from Greek mythology. (Each character has her own website, linked to the names above.) In concert, Amos performs the first half as one of the characters, chosen at random. She steps out of character for the second half. This music video of "Big Wheel" introduces the posse. … continue reading

1. When I first heard that Katie Holmes was flirting with someone on the set of Mad Money, my mind went right to Diane Keaton. Adam who?

Oh, whoops. That photo makes them look waaaaaay too May-December. Never mind. Anyway, don't taint Mad Money for me, Katie: I've been looking forward to seeing Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah on the screen together. Hotness!

2. Sandra Bullock has filed for a restraining order against the woman who was arrested for attempting to run over Bullock's husband. I swear I thought the car was in neutral, Sandra! And when will you see that we're meant to be together?! You can't fight destiny!

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3. Neve Campbell is getting married.

Tori Amos, that ethereal piano goddess with the flowing vermilion locks, has released the first video from her upcoming album American Doll Posse.

Shot in staccato stop-action photo style, the clip for "Big Wheel" introduces Tori's new multiple-personality posse: Santa, Clyde, Isabel, Tori and Pip. … continue reading

by Dorothy Snarker

The scarlet-haired, piano-straddling, sneeze-catching fairy princess of song is back with a new album, a new look and new multiple personalities. Fun!

Tori Amos' American Doll Posse doesn't hit store shelves until May 1, but already the singer is introducing fans to "The Girls." Simmer down, simmer down. Not those girls. These girls: American Doll Posse girls Santa, Clyde, Isabel, Tori and Pip.

She has even recorded a message telling us to look out for the ladies. I'll tell you right now, the one with the chicken freaks me out. But the one with the boots? Rowwwr! Tori has also released the track listing. The first song is "Yo George." Hmmm, which W -- I mean, George -- could she be talking about? I can't wait. Is it May yet?