Chicagoland Tori Amos Tribute In September

If you’re in or around Chicago, may we suggest that you head on down to Mary’s Attic on Thursday, September 15th for a Tori Amos Tribute Night?

Organized by several of Chicago’s best queer and queer-friendly singer/songwriters, the show features performances by Manny Capozzi, Stephen Leonard, Diva Kai, Jeff Brown, Jen Saint Stjärna, Kyle Greer, Vallery Dolls, Ian Wilson and Meredith Barry and will celebrate Tori’s music as well as the pending release of Night of Hunters. It kicks off at 9pm and there’s a $5 cover.

For more information and to RSVP, hit up their Facebook event page. Hope some of you can make it!

A Pretty Good Year For The PS22 Chorus

With a trip to the Oscars and accolades and attention from celebrities and musicians alike, it has been a pretty good year for the PS22 Chorus so what better way to celebrate that with a lovely performance of Tori’s song of the same name!

Thanks to blindhope for the link!

Color Us Obsessed...

Today’s episode of the Colin McEnroe Show, a program on WNPR, Connecticut’s public radio network, revolves around the subject of being obsessed with a band or musical performer. Starting with an interview with Gorman Bechard, whose current film Color Me Obsessed documents the history of The Replacements through the eyes of their fans, Colin also brings in fans of other performers, including a Toriphile who tells her story about becoming and being a fan of our heroine.

The entire show evolves into a fascinating and fun conversation about the intersections between musical fandom, record stores, and the Internet and should be of interest to any Toriphile.

Dutch Guitarist Unveils Tori Tribute Album

Tori inspires an awful lot of people. It’s kind of amazing. A Dutch musician, John C. Fraser, has brought his Tori-inspired project into the light of day. When Guitars Try To Be Pianos is a collection of guitar-based versions of favorite Tori songs, including “Pretty Good Year,” “Precious Things,” “Father Lucifer,” “Black Dove (January),” “Cornflake Girl,” “Winter,” “Doughnut Song,” “Martha’s Foolish Ginger,” “Pancake,” and “Happy Phantom.” You can check him out at his Web site, above, and also find out more about his efforts to bring these songs on the road. In the meantime, have a listen to him in the videos below:

Is anyone else a little bummed that he didn’t do “Flying Dutchman?” Thanks to Frank for sending this in.

Birth Of The Uncool: Bitch On Tori Fans

The latest issue of Bitch Magazine features an article titled Birth of the Uncool, by Sady Doyle, that addresses the evolution and nature of us — fans of Tori Amos. Agree or disagree with the analysis, the article, subtitled “In defense of the Tori Amos fan,” is an interesting read.

Thanks to the several of you who sent the link our way!

Help Pandora's Project Win a Pepsi Refresh Grant!

Many of you know of Pandora’s Project, a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to survivors of rape and sexual abuse via the Pandora’s Aquarium message board. The organization, founded by long-time Toriphile Shannon, has been inspired by Tori since its beginnings and has enjoyed Tori’s support as well.

Many may also recall a campaign to help them win a grant a couple years ago. Well, they are aiming to win another. This time, it’s a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to fund retreats offering healing programs and community for survivors of sexual violence who may not otherwise have these resources available to them.

The top 10 vote-getters during the month of January will receive these grants and currently Pandora’s Project is in the 11th spot. So, while they are very close to qualifying, they need our help to achieve the goal! Here’s how to help:

1. Text 103598 to Pepsi (73774) for those in the US.
2. Vote online using your Facebook account or Pepsi Refresh account. At refr.es/pandora, click “Vote” next to Pandora’s Project’s idea. Once you’ve logged in, you’ll need to click the Vote button once again.

Voting ends on January 31st. You can vote for up to 10 projects at the Pepsi Refresh website each day, so please swing by daily and cast a vote for Pandora’s Project as well as the other projects listed at that URL that are supporting Pandora’s Project. Thanks!

Map The Music Is Available Again!

Map The Music, a film produced by Toriphile Samantha Hale that documents the power of music and live performance through the voices of fans, is now is its second pressing! The first run sold out so a second has been produced and is again available from Insound.

The trailer, which was featured on YouTube yesterday, gives a taste of what the film has to offer: insight and interviews with fans and concert-goers plus behind the scenes moments, interviews and performances from Imogen Heap, Cary Brothers, Zoe Keating, Rachael Yamagata, Jim Bianco, Kate Havnevik, Charlotte Martin and many others—including Tori!

Woj Bob says check it out!

Room for RAINN in Manchester

Well, this sounds like an amazingly fun event: Toriphiles, including longtime fan Linda, are organizing a benefit party for RAINN on November 6 at Room in Manchester, England. The event will include fan performances, a Tori drag act, canapes, champagne, Tori-themed cocktails, and, of course, a chance to meet fellow Ears With Feet. Everyone who attends will be asked to give a donation, and all the money will go toward RAINN. The event is from 7 to 11 p.m. Those of you on Facebook can see all the details here. Many thanks to H for the tip!

A Closer Look: Toriphiles And The Road

While much has been written about the dedication and intensity of Tori’s fans, Lindsay Pereira’s Times of India article gives the phenomenon a personal angle as the author speaks with several world travelers following 2009’s Sinful Attraction tour as it wound through Europe. In addition to discussing the reasons that we Toriphiles have become the Deadheads of today, the article provides a primer for the uninitiated on Tori’s background and her art that has inspired so many to become fans and embark on this journey.

Thanks to the several of you who pointed this piece out!

The Tori Store Is Back Online

For those who have been eagerly waiting, the Tori Store is back online. Yay!

Thanks to Scott for noticing.