M  i  l    M  a  n  i  a

       

        The Official Newsletter of WWW.ARTISTINSANE.COM

 

 

All Content © Mil Scott                                                                                                         www.artistinsane.com

Thanks For The Warm Reception To Mil Mania!

                                 Welcome to the second issue of this
                                  fledgling journalistic effort...with regard to
                                  which, first and foremost I want to express
                                  my most sincere appreciation to everyone
                                  who has been so encouraging of the
                                  endeavor — and particularly those who’ve
                                  signed up to receive it!  I hope you
                                  continue to enjoy the contents and look
                                  forward to hearing more ideas,
                                  suggestions, and any other commentary
                                  you wish to share. 
                                     That said, with regard to this particular edition, I’d like to reference a page of my website entitled, “Why Mil Loves Lit”.  One of the few bits of “non-Mil” writing to be found there, it is included because it so succinctly captures my passion for not         merely literature, but all forms of art — and the common purposes I believe they share.  And, one of these purposes is to enable us to view the world in a slightly — perhaps even radically — different way from the perspective of “normal” folks…thereby gaining a “mature sensibility for the condition of all living things”. Another is to allow ourselves to feel “concern, tension, excitement, hope” — and “fear”...which provides the perfect introduction to the new Mil Mania section, “Pet Peeves and Paranoia”, as promised in the prior issue.  What’s more, as this newsletter is being prepared with the holiday season in progress, it seems a perfect time to awake that aforementioned compassion within us — and, it’s hoped, subsequently apply it to individuals not always considered by society as “worthy” of such attention. 
     By the same token, it may seem inappropriate to herein present the ongoing saga of Joshua Gray, and the latest chapter detailing his dark struggles in the aftermath of tragic loss.  But, as these are also real-life struggles for an unfortunate number of non-fictional characters at this “celebratory” time, perhaps it is more fitting than ever to include a reminder of those in this document filled with pleas for “insane” levels and forms of empathy.
     Lastly, I’d just like to say thanks again for making Mil Mania a success.  Indeed, your warm embrace of it has proved a truly perfect holiday surprise — and gift.
      Best wishes.
                                                               Mil                                                                              
    

              ‘Tis the season!!!

   Click the photo below to read an
   online greeting to all Mil Mania
   readers!

 

 

 

 

               Happy Holidays

       Newsletter Spotlight 

 Volume 1, Issue 2, Dec. 2005

 

     Now available  as a (free) download 
      at...

                                                       

         
         (www.myspace.com/artistinsane)

 

“I know first hand just how tough it is to make pure notes sound good without any accompaniment ...I want to convey how really lovely I thought the whole thing was.”
                                                         S.H.

                                          

“It's so wonderful that you've contibuted your time and talent to bring this song forth.  I'm sure the family you created this for appreciates it, as well as any listeners who come across your site…”                                                              
                                                         T.M

“Loved your song…”

                                                         N.W.

 

“Maybe it was my speakers, but it did not sound like you [your speaking voice].  You sound good. Not that you don't sound good normally (stutter, stutter, stutter), but I was a little shocked.  Music always makes karaoke people sound better.  Music could only make you sound great.”                                                  M.K.

      Thanks to everyone for your
                     kind words!

And,  if you haven’t listened yet yourself, be sure to read my blog entry (disclaimer!) explaining…

    “How ‘How We Become’ Became”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Comments  from  Mil Mania
  readers on “How We Become”   
                            by Mildred Scott

                              

      NEW!!! This month marks
       the debut of an ongoing feat-
       ure of this section. While I will continue to include news in every issue to keep readers up to date on the latest happenings with the three acts most prominently featured on www.artistinsane.com, each month I will choose one additional artist — in some cases a new discovery I’ve recently made, in others an individual or group whose work I’ve long appreciated — to make a one-time appearance here.  And, of course, as with all aspects of Mil Mania, feel free to offer suggestions.

 

This month’s featured artist: 

 

Electric X — a
group I had the
privilege of catch-
ing live last Febru-
ary as the opening
act for a show at
Chicago Street
Theater in Val-
paraiso, IN (under the guise of their alter-ego, “Acoustic X”).  Immediately struck by their spot-on vocal harmonies and more than competent musicianship — not to mention a wonderfully diverse songwriting portfolio— I subsequently purchased their latest CD, Radioville — a disc I highly recommend for you as well.  To hear a few selections from it, visit www.myspace.com/electicx.  You’ll also find a link there to the band’s official website, which includes an audio clip from a beautiful Christmas song on the “downloads” page.

             ……………………..

Third Eye Blind’s latest bio revision (which I was tapped to write by Jen’s StephanJenkins.com, as previously noted) can now be read by clicking here.  You can also view a recent television show/interview with the band online by visiting www.rappinwithrockstars.com. (I have not seen this interview myself as yet so have no further info at this time...)

 

Brian Fitzpatrick has completed producing Carrie Engdahl’s dubut album, and is now scheduled to back her on guitar for several upcoming local shows.  In addition, his other creative endeavor (a growing graphics business) has won him four          American Design Awards.  Congrats, Brian!  Still, on behalf of all Brian Fitzpatrick music admirers, I implore you — don’t give up your night job!!!

 

Michael McDermott wrapped up a highly successful tour of Ireland in late November and (in another example of how my insanity’s proved contagious!?!) has recently announced that his upcoming album is themed around “the beauty of non-perfection” Entitled Perfectly Imperfect, the disc is scheduled for an early 2006 release. In the meantime don’t forget to keep checking out Michael’s MySpaceMusic page to hear a
new song every week (some-
times even two!)

Music Mayhem   

In A Nutshell

Lest you need a brief escape from the “depth” of the Asylum column below, here again is the section dedicated to a lighter literary side— hmm….a brevity of levity!

           ………………………..

Rather than a poem of my own this month, in the spirit of the season, here’s an excerpt from my all-time favorite animated Christmas special… How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Theodore Geisel — a.k.a. Dr. Seuss…

 

   “Christmas day is in our grasp
     So long as we have hands to clasp
     Christmas day will always be
     Just as long as we have we.”      

 

                               This column
                               corresponds with the Mad Ravings On section of www.artistinsane.com, and is dedicated to selected reviews of movies, television and books… most of which are unlikely to represent “the latest” in any of these categories, but rather a  random selection that represents a new and/or noteworthy discovery to me.

            ………………………..

Having reviewed a film last time around, this month I’ll be commenting on a book...Laura Lippman’s To The Power of Three.  As I’ve also had the opportunity to watch several films since