Amanda Palmer has announced her split from Roadrunner Records after a lengthy legal battle. The pianist and former Dresden Dolls vocalist has been released from her contract and was able to release a new song. She talked about the split on her blog:

As many of you know, I've been fighting very, very hard to get off the label for the better part of two years. For the past seven years, anything I have written and recorded (solo or with my band, The Dresden Dolls) has technically been owned and under the ultimate control of the label, but no longer. After endless legal bullshit, it's over, I've been DROPPED, RELEASED, LET GO.

I've been a very vocal advocate of artists being fearless in asking their audience and supporters for direct financial help. I come from a background of grassroots theatre and street performance, and I think that artists should feel no shame while passing the hat around once they've entertained a crowd of people. It's been a huge and obvious irony that I have been legally unable to ask for money for my music, since it's been verboten by my contract with Roadrunner. Now that I'm unshackled, I plan on doing a lot of really awesome and creative things with my songs and how people can pay for them - or, better yet, donate - now that I have control over my stuff.

Check out the download and more discussion on her free agent status on her website.