JOURNAL new guitar, new path, new paltz! Shopping for guitars now - thanks to tips from my good pal MP. Shopping for guitars now - thanks to tips from my good pal MP. And there's now a music space for myself to play in this house. When we lived in an apt - there was no space what so ever for me to have a music space. And when we moved here it was all about the babies. So, when I actually started getting the gumption to play again - I forgot that we have a whole house now - we can actually carve out a space for me. Throughout my 14 years of living in tiny spaces in the city, I used to have dreams I would discover a hidden part of the apartment that was unused. There it would be dusty and waiting for me. Kind of scary. But there. Then I would wake up and realize that I could still open the fridge from my futon and brush my teeth and spit in the sink while peeing on the toilet. But it was ok - the the city was my living room, dining room and playspace. The city was my island surrounded by moat. Hard to get to me. And the chances of running into people from my childhood was small - not sure why that is a comfort. I loved walking out the door and being able to go get my hair done across the street, get my copies made a door down from that and get carried up the stairs by Harold who owned the antique store when I came home with a sprained ankle from the gym. 324 9th street was not different from a small town, where everyone knew each other. Veselka was my kitchen and dining room, where I'd meet pals or my band before a gig. I could walk around and hang up fliers the week of a show at Sidewalk or Brownies. I could go get hammered at happy hour with friends and walk home with or without a prize and be ok. I felt safer there than I do here with the wasps who have a bounty on my head. I got chased the other day right into my backdoor. In other new, I'm growing zuchinnis, basil, cauliflower, broccoli and other veggies with success this summer. My sunflowers though, sadly, may not be the big hit they were last year. Tried drying and saving my own seeds and they were all stillborn. So I had to break down and buy some. Country life has it's charms!! Come see MiMi Ferocious rehearse for our big come back gig! MiMi Ferocious rehearsal video clips! We had a blast. We were a bit rusty, but somehow it all came back to us. Especially "I Feel Love" - wow! And thanks for Brown Wilson, I did not lose my necklace in my cleavage. And I guess I have to learn a way to let something go into the river or wind and make it not this permanent web thing that people read and it's forever there. Because after I wrote my last entry and talked to my good friend MP about it, I feel a bit better. But I'm not going to take it down because at the time it was how I was feeling. It does exist this thing I wrote of in the last entry - this rejection. But it's like people are sand being sifted through a sieve and when you make these major life changes, it gets shaken up and all that stays are the big rocks or diamonds or what have you. Old rantings I have a reunion gig with MF this weekend at Mamapalooza.It's been almost 2 years since we've played. I was pregnant with Dominick when we played last. I'm kind of scared. I was really willing to let it all go and then we got this opportunity to play. I was really ready to wipe the slate totally clean and get off lists and you know the old saying. If you let something free, yada yada, and if it comes back, it was yours. So, its cool that MF attracted this gig and still radio play and fans and CD sales and digital dist sales, it sort of has a life of it's own. I'm still catching up to myself. It's hard when I get emails of old musical friends who are still living the life and even harder when I know there are a certain few who think I've made a mistake or who lump me into the group of people who they don't understand. Because I don't want to leave my son for anything and he's the most important thing to me. I wasn't the most important thing to the people who brought me into the world and I won't do that to my son. But what has come back to me, is that I love music again. I have made some room in my life for listening and I can be moved again. For a while there, I couldn't listen without comparing or judging so I just didn't. Now I've discovered all these amazing people, like Sufian Stevens and Kings of Convenience. And they inspire me. And maybe like a wave building up pressure before it breaks, I'll need to explode again onto my guitar. But for now, I'm still ebbing. I can't help it. All this that has frustrated me silently with no release will one day have to go somewhere. For real break from gig fast - March, 2006 For those of you paying attention - congrats because it's been some time since I've written. Well, here goes, I'm Preggo again! And I'm also going to be playing again! Me and the MiMis are going to be sharing the stage with my favorites mom bands, "Housewives on Prozac" and "Betty" at the Mamapalooza fest in May. We are really psyched. I am really psyched. I haven't played out in SOME TIME! And really I think this is going to change the molecular structure of the government, the cozmos and the laws of gravity. I've been silent for way too long. YAYYAYYAYYY! And yes, me and G did it again - we never learn. We had to do it one more time. Conceive I mean. Obviously we did IT more than once more. Tho not too many more times - times are tough - at night when the baby sleeps, we're too tired. Ok, this isn't a very rock conversation, but i don't care. I'm too tired and full of child to care if I'm not inspiring you to rock it like a hurricane. I should probably change my journal to songstress on maternity leave journal instead of rock journal. Ok cutting and pasting right now. There, now I can talk a bit more freely. And now I have to go - more later. Portal to infinity via The Cars Has this ever happened to you? ok - since all honesty is what it's about now - I have no shame or pride or anything to really brag about anymore, except my gorgeous son who is almost 1 now, on Xmas he'll be 1, so don't forget 2 gifts folks, anyway, I've been listening to the Cars ALOT and only when I drive, which is more than I used to do, since I now live in the country (another thing I'm not sure I've revealed here yet). Well, when I'm in my car, I get to be by myself running some errand or whatnot and I think G may have been responsible for adding the Cars greatest hits to our CD changer. I don't know how this came about, but Let's Go is now my theme song. I love every little nook and cranny of that goddamn song. The little lead bass part, the drums are so goddman good - each fill in it's simplicity and so panned and full tugging my ears. Then there's the hot, and sadly dearly departed, Ben Orr's vocals. I just want to jump him for the way he so Ohioly "wrong" or "on" - it's so 70's and so sexy - it makes me want to be that 17 year old virgin tease he's after from 1978 at some party drinking Schlitz or Pabst or Lowenbrau. There have only been a few songs that have done this to me over the years. Sort of transported me, made me wonder and wish I were there in the studio with them - watching them lay down the tracks. And I've listened to it so much now that it even makes me sad. I think of Ben Orr and how he died too early of cancer. And then I think of my dead uncle Donald who was also Polish (Ben Orr is short for Orrensky or something) and how he killed himself. And then I think of my son, who is almost 1 and part Polish and will he play the bass or sing or party - will he grab life like Ben Orr or will he wallow like my uncle. And then I arrive at the store or gym or doctor or work or home or where ever i'm going to or from and i turn off the song and i open the door of the car and it's so quiet compared to the loud bassey blast I was just grooving to. Then I wonder if I was just singing too loud - did our one neighbor hear? Then I wonder when I'm going to sing really loud again not just in my car and to The Cars. I LIKE THE NIGHTLIFE BABY!! SHE SAID! I LIKE THE NIGHTLIFE BABY!! LET'S GO!!! the allmusic review recent review of 250X that kind of is good and we got 1.5 stars less than Led Zeppelin 4! Life Sorbet - 11/2/05 I haven't written in a while because I've been gathering my thoughts concerning all that has come to pass over this past year. This past year of not gigging and having a bebe. There's alot I wouldn't say in this here journal because of certain editors in my brain and in my life. But I figure if I can't be honest here, then what is the point of having you. David First said he always liked my RJ because it was like I was just talking really personally, a little too much so he thought. He didn't like that I would give power to the reviewers who gave me a good or bad review. That I shouldn't fraternize with them. In some ways he's right because well, as the known quote goes, "writing about music is like dancing about architecture." Plus, he often thought I was sacrificing some kind of cool if I did that. But my daliances with Chuck Eddy did get me a better listen and maybe from Joe McCombs as well. (Though admist the good listen, it was written that I have a limited bag of vocal tricks. HAH - have you heard my Ethel Merman?) There have been many influences that have made me self edit, and it doesn't start here in the RJ, it's a whole long childhood thing where I adapted to the madness around me for survival and my needs were not known, not even to me. And with THE MUSIC BIZ, another madness you must adapt to - you don't want to piss anyone off - especially those that control the levels on your microphone. All this piles up and it defeats the purpose of why i started writing songs in the first place. Because it saved my fucking life. So, what I need is to be heard or read. And cool? I gave up on co-ol long ago. So, what really happened to me? Why did I give in to the urges of my ovaries and pretty much drop MiMi Ferocious - though I still think there could be a reunion gig somewhere in the future. Well, let's face it. I played every club in NYC for years (every club that was within my reach), Lunch Lady Records gave it's all for 250X and we still could have done a million things over, redo redo - we came up with stuff live that was so much better than the album, oh well, too late. The band members were as dedicated as an unpaid group of people with rent and mortgaqes to pay, babies to love and lives to lead could ever be- so when it came to doing an out of town festival, it was going to be alot of money to get them out there, in other words, almost impossible to do on an indie budget. PLus with everyone's real life schedules. We had some amazing moments. We also had moments we wanted to kill each other. And we got some good press from the album - we did. And some, that made me hysterically cry in my 4th month of pregnancy that made me go - whoa. What am I doing. Fighting so hard to get people out to gigs - hey, I don't even see my favorite band more than once a year and everyone in NYC gets invite after invite after invite to something all week long. I just stopped in my tracks. I slowly got off people's lists. I took myself off all the music lists i was a part of - (don't want to miss an opportunity!), stopped trying so hard. And started knitting hats. And now, I like listening to music again. I've rediscovered The Cars. Seriously, "Let's Go" is my new religion. and Ben Orr is my buddha. And I want to pick up the guitar and play again. And I don't want to play any of my old songs - not one. I can't now - the band has ruined that for me. I keep expecting basslines and guitar riffs and drum fills. And that's ok because 1 or 2 of them are almost 10 years old (ie: Beaver Dam, Brown) - and I have some new songs. That I think are something new. And they excite me. And I even put some bright red steaks back into my hair. But I don't know what's going to happen. I have a bebe asleep right now and am husband watching basketball and time to write in you at this moment. There are some musician friends, well, one friend, who has barely acknowledged my existence since I had D. His actions speak that he is angry at me. Wants nothing to do with me. Now that I'm not co-ol anymore. He has written me off. I don't exist. Because I'm not the same to him anymore I guess. He is punishing me for changing - for going to the other side. But, I know, because one night over gin n tonics, he revealed to me that he really wanted this once. But that ship had sailed. Well, I realized that all our ships will eventually sail and I want to leave something behind, something more than a CD. Am I not co-ol anymore - i guess not. But I needed this life sorbet. break from my gigfast break gig canceled - do not come to the corner of carrot and green bean. More later... 08/05 - break from my gigfast So, yes, it's true. I have a gig in September. A soloey one. I wil be performing at the New Paltz Fest/farmers market on Sunday Sept 25th for several hours. I was buying vegetables there with G and D and I met this woman and we got talking and there you go, I will be playing there next month. It's good - it will give me chance to get all Loretta Lynn on myself and sing to my bebe in the garden to practice for the big gig at the honkeytonk. It's been almost a year since I've played out. The break was good. I remember kind of dreading gigs after a while in NYC - after years and years it can wear on you. Getting people out, getting good sound, dealing with bookers, dealing with club owners (Hiya Jules), schlepping amps, hailing cabs, making beer money if that, and of course the fun: going our after the shows, the random hookup, the mailing list trying to decifer people's email addresses, realizing they are fake, having friends pass the list, them telling you that so and so was a bitch wouldn't sign, even when you plugged them at the end of your sets, ok, let bygones be bygones, we'll adults here. Right? I do have fondness for my memoires of living underneath Allen Ginsburg in my east village shithole and after he died there all of our pipes bursting. And his lover going crazy, roaming the halls. And that cute guy who used to listen to me sing outside my door. Only he told me so the day before he moved. Too late! It was 12th Street - instead of 12th Night. But it was where I dug the deepest, saw the dark side, worked until 1am, got home with stolen beer from the restaurant and I'd play guitar and wrote and sing to the kitties. Wake up at noon and go to the gym. The come home and get ready for the restaurant. Where I'd enviously watch the couples start at each other over glasses of red wine. working at night is good when you're nursing a broken heart. Because nights are the hardest. But there were little blessing along the way that got me through. And through I got to VDisc and through that to my own band. And still MiMi Ferocious is played on the radio and still gets reviewed. Here's the latest Heavy Metal Review of 250X. I am rambling. But it's important to know I may be singing for the veggie buyers next month, but I come from a long history of rawk and pain. 07/30/05 - should be doing Tae Bo I am all geared up to have my morning date with Billy Blanks while D sleeps. But I got this urge to write in you. My good friend Meghan who lives in LA and works for a movie star's production side dish production company says it is so sickening to see an otherwise free thinking cool person suddenly lose any self of individuality and spark as soon as movie star owner gets on the phone to order them around. And don't those people truly want honesty anyway? We all know what that is like. Maybe it's my genes as I was raised by 2 people who always did it "their way", but I just can't do it. I strongly feel that my music and songs and projects stand up on their own. Period. It's kind of gross to see medicocrity being ass kissed just because they have some gumption to form a group or whatnot. I have seen many colleagues put themselves in not so good situations with some pretty not worth it people in hopes of getting "somewhere". Sad. SAD! Mad. MAD! It makes me really mad. Frinstance. I always hated being thought of as some female singer songwriter. I sing, I write songs, I play guitar, sometimes other instruments, but because I have a vagina I am a FEMALE those things. And then there are all these groups and festivals with this female thing going on. And I get it, ok, "in a male dominated society" we womyn need to stick together and have it not be about our boobs and butts and be about the music. But, then it's like the special olympics or something. I like men, and men like my music. I think more then women actually. I always seem to have more men fans then women. I like RUSH. I really do. And I guess alot of girls don't. My favorite cover song to do EVER was Red Barchetta. God that was great. Geddy and I have the same range. But not the same hair - thank god. So, I find when I try to "play the game", I'm so not good at it, that I end up looking mediocre and just like when I try to make a hit album - mediocre. I need to accept that I am truly whack, I still rock in my sleep (now that we have a king size bed - greg doesn't even notice) - I have many boldily flaws and that's just me. Which reminds me, I better stop this and get tae boing. I lost the bebe weight. But I want to keep going. No, not because I want to be like everyone else who's getting on VH1 these days, but because I am also incredibly vain. And have a secret dream to wear low risers - are those still in? 07/05 - breeding is good I am starting a new solo project reflecting the changes I have been through. It may surprise and delight you. I've never let so many things go in my life. I usually hold everything really realllllllyyyy tight. But since I got preggo with Dominick - I just got calmer. And I started having faith that the things and people that really matter will stay with me (kind of like that let the bird free thing and if it comes back yada yada yada) well it's true. I am writing! About gas and burps and broccolli and and broccoli rabe and all that kind of stuff. Kind of geared toward us here on the other side that want to shoot oursleves in the head if we hear one more round about wheels on the bus. I know other musician women who worry that if they have a bebe they'll have to give up their "career". But, y'know what, your life is your life. And having a bebe can give you SO much to write about. And c'mon it's the greatest thing IN THE WORLD. And if your songs are worth singing and worth hearing - it'll find a way. Plus, our eggs get old. So, ya kinda gotta shit or get off the pot at a certain age. And having a bebe is rock. Even if you're just folk rock. True, some people should NOT HAVE BABIES! And I say all the power to you if you have decided not to - because it's HARD. But there's no question, if you decide to, you will love like you've never loved before. And be so tired and crazy and sleep deprived in the beginning. But then you have your kid for always - the greatest creation. Ok, I'll stop now. I really can write more than just about my feeling concerning my bebe and bebe having from female musicians. The other thing is, I prophesized that I would have one in my Baby Blue Charade song. I knew even then that choosing not to do it because of a music career would haunt me forever. 05/28/05 - Pop Matters The bebe sleeps, it's raining outside and i have no attention span to speak of, so did some searched on yahoo - I like to do that, find old boyfriends (they're never there) and old friends I can't find, (why doesn't everyone have a website??) and then I did a search on MiMi Ferocious (because jesus where are they??) and I found this. Cool. Not bad. Plus, me thinks he's right about the vocalist. wink wink. Mimi Ferocious, 250 Times Sweeter Than Sugar (Lunch Lady) A nice break from the usual, Mimi Ferocious play good, competent straight forward pop rock that creates a nice distraction from the day. Stephanie St. John has one of those voices that sounds like it should be doing bigger things, but for some reason is currently stopped in indie land. The cover of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" is nice, and the originals such as "Tupperware Sky", "Sister Barbara", and "Rocket Song" pack a good punch as well. They're certainly not going to stop time or make the earth completely move, but Mimi Ferocious can certainly do this brand of female-led rock a bit better than others. And sometimes, that's good enough. — Jason Thompson --Pop Matters, Jason Thompson It's strange to be so focused on something so totally different than I've ever been. But if you could just see his face. and kiss his fat little cheek you'd know why he's all I can really focus on for now. But I do miss singing and rocking out and I have bene writing, especially late in the early am or late pm whichever depending on if I'v ebene woken up or not, I do write songs. In the stillness of my exhaustion and total love. and another thing...04/05 It's not that if some big ole record exec came up to me and said, "Hey, I took a big long listen to your songs - wow - you really got something there - let' sign ya" that I'd say no. It's just that that stuff does not even happen anymore. Well, it does happen once in a while, but 99% of the time,those albums don't even get released. And with the smaller labels, if you can't fund your own tour they will drop you. This has happened to amazing people that I know. And furthermore, it's just an illusion at this point. One of the MiMiettes used to work for a private company that would be hired by MTV and VH1 and the like to gather "fans" - you know those people holding signs in Times Square for artists we've never heard of - seriously the company would create fans for you. It's all an illusion nowadays. It's not how it used to be. Way back when. Because video really did kill the radio star. And so did Reagan with his deregulating radio. So, the point of my rant is that, I am taking my maternity leave from this BS, but of course I'd be open to some sort of "commercial success", and yes we sold a bunch of MiMi CD's and Cinderella's Dead CDs and have been played on the radio alot, but I'm not buying bling bling with these sales. So, really I do it for the love of the music itself. And that will never die, go away, fade away, leave, abandon, run away, break up, disappear, wander off, see ya later alligator, buh bye - not gonna happen. Let me make things clear...04/05 I'm not GONE by any stretch of the means. I'm just not gigging at the moment. Maybe I should explain what has happened to me starting a little over a year ago. I was getting these urges. I was creating space, empty spaces in our not huge NYC apartment. Spaces for nothing. Spaces for just sitting and being. Then, I was feeling this openness, this calling, this kind of tap on the shoulder and I realized that I had been closely monitoring my womenly cycles. And one night, well, I won't give you the details, but let's just say that everything lined up perfectly, the stars and planets were "N Synch" and a few weeks later I took a pregnancy test and it was positive and the future came and gave me a big hello. All the while, at that point, I was about to release 250 Times Sweeter Than Sugar and The Lazy Eyes album. So, one could interpret these simultaneous creative happenings as that I was creative to the MAX or that I had finished the albums, now it's time to move onto something else, or maybe I wanted to create the ultimate thing - this person made from me and G. Or maybe I got tired of fighting my fears of this or maybe I got tired of fighting the tide, the tide which was pulling me here. Because there is no way in hell this being was not supposed to happen. He is way too great. And has brought way too much happiness to so many - to not be meant to be. But here I am in this hew place (btw, he's napping as I write here, which is how I can do this right now) where I've let go of the things I was fighting for before. And my efforts have eased as far as putting myself and the music "out there". Because really that's all I've been doing for these past years and after a while you just gotta stop. Because it's really so not about the music. I'm talking the putting yourself and stuff out there. It starts to seep into your creativity and you start to do it for the opinions of others if you're not careful, onstead of the movement into you that used to fuel the engine. Maybe someone who doesn't know me or even those who think that maybe I've given up, given into my female urges and now I'm - oh no - a mom! But my body and soul has been ripped open - literally and figuratively and I have alot more to say now. Not that my songs will be about the diaper that took over the room or the onesie that got away or the pacifier that won't give up. But I just think this whole experience has been very rock. And certainly roll. It was time for some real happiness. And real sleep depravation. Which can make for some good songs. Especially this not in control thing that I'm learning to accept. The point is, I'm still here. I just feel that nothing is more important than giving my son all of me right now. Nothing. When he's more indie, I'll get more indie myself again. Wow, I remembered how to do this...03/05 Sooooooooooooooooo. It's been quite a few months. But we've made it through. Something so mundane, right? Having a baby - happens everyday, we were all born and all that, yada yada yada. But my god, it's reallllllllly fucking hard!!!! And yet so great all at once. I am so IN LOVE with our baby. I even love the smell of his farts - it's true. And so hard physically - 13 lbs of love, ouch my body. Periods of no sleep. And no sleep. And no sleep. And supposedly my brother and I were "sleeping through the night" at 2 weeks. They say because of formula. But I know formula babies who sleep like shit too. All of this makes me wonder how long i cried for in my crib. I did write my first song whilst self soothing during those years. The lyrics were, " Mommy. Mommy. Mommy Mommy Mom Mom Mom." and I would do it while rocking back and forth in my bed to the tune of a piano exercise I think my brother was doing. i think they thought I was a bit coo koo. coo koo. But if I do it now, it really actually feels good! Damn I'm good at self soothing! So, yeah. So, yeah. I have no gigs planned. And alot of clubs here are closing because of the astronomical rents here. CBGBs. Tonic. Fez. Luna Lounge is relocating somewhere. Meow Mix has been long gone. I think they're all closing because they know I'm on maternity leave. What's the use if I'm not playing there. Is what I say. But I must say, the music "biz" is just a real drag. And I'm not much of an ass kisser. I like what I'm doing now. It's real. And there are songs happening. I will record another album in the future. There are several songs I have ready. And more to come. But, as far as playing out here in NYC, doing a MiMi tour or something, I would have to say I am not inclined at the moment. I have been gigging out since 1996. That's almost 10 years mathematicians. 10 years of being in one city. and doing little jaunts. I have fond memories. But yes things have changed. Here are some fond memories. After going to the Fort open mike at Sidewalk Cafe getting booked by Lach for a whole show in front of the whole crowd while my ex bf Gavin was in the "audience" - I was doing a song I wrote about him and our breakup. Cliche, but it felt really good to shine in front of him. Especially since he has never been booked there (rrreegh - cat claws!). Another good memory: Brownies gig with the Davids. I was in full false eye lash workout pants with space boots regatta. We actually had a back stage. Another. Picking up the door guy at CBGB's and bringing him home after a VDisc gig. He was 22. I was 27 and felt ancient. He made me feel 22 again. Another. Jan 2 1998. Solo show at CB's Gallery. I brought an assload of people to the gig because people from SU were still lingering from New Years Eve. I played for people who didn't even know I could write songs. I always got Saturday night gigs after that at the gallery. Oh here's a really good one. Feb 25th 2000. The first show G came to when we were an official couple. And it was the debut of I Feel Love. Truly. And now we have a baby. One that has really bad gas tonite and won't fall asleep. He's gassy because we flew today from visiting L, D S CJ and H in Chicago. He was great on the plane. But now we're paying the price. I was told by G to go to sleep while he stays on gas duty. But I feel like writing here. I have the monitor on. He just said cock sucker because the batteries just ran out on the "aquarium". He usually sleeps really well. But tonite, let it be Lowenbrau. Oh I wish it were that simple. So, dear reader, I promise I will write a little more frequently now. Now that, well, there is no now that. I gave birth to Domimick Franklin Olear on Christmas Day and other things...(like what can top that?) I've crossed to the other side. The only way I can write at the moment is that my little man is asleep and really I should be too. As I was trying, I got sad missing playing out and singing (postpartum noastalgia for things you can't do at the moment - normal they say), so I got out my guitar. And lo and behold I wrote our son a song. I'm very raw right now - haven't gone to "those places" in a while and boom, I'm there now because I have no choice. And I ended up writing a song for him that I believe could be one for the next album. I can't wait to play it for him. I know for sure, nowthat I'm on the other side, I will definitely be playing out and writing in the future. I have to. Maybe not for several months, but for sure. It's "the way" to my sanity. And my son needs me sane. And now I must get some sleep while I can. Radio stations playing the MiMi F album... here is the STATION ID#, the WATTS and WHERE KAOS 89.3 1,500 Olympia WA KAWC 88.9 3,000 Yuma,AZ KDCV 91.1 10 Blair, NE KECH 95.3 100 Ketchum, ID KEXP 90.3 404 Seattle, WA KGHP 89.9 1,500 Gig Harbor, WA KGVA 88.1 95,000 Harlem, MT KHSU 90.5 9,000 Arcata, CA KJEE 92.9 820 Santa Barbara,CA KKUP 91.5 200 Cupertino, CA SanJose market KLCC 89.7 84,000 Eugene, OR KMSC 88.3 10 Sioux City, IA KONQ 91.9 2,600 Dodge City, KS KPOO 89.5 270 San Francisco, CA KRZA 88.7 7,000 Alamosa, CO KSER 90.7 5,800 Everett, WA KSPC 88.7 3,000 Claremont, CA KUWS 91.3 83,000 Superior, WI KVMR 89.5 1,960 Nevada City, CA KVSC 88.1 16,500 St. Cloud, MN KXCI 91.3 340 Tucson, AZ WBAI 99.5 4,300 New York, NY WBNY 91.3 100 Buffalo, NY WBOR 91.1 300 Brunswick, ME WBSU 89.1 7,338 Brockport, NY Rochester market WCEB 91.9 15 Corning,NY WDTR 90.9 42,000 Detroit,MI WEAX 88.3 920 Angola, IN WEIU 88.9 4,000 Charleston, IL WETL 91.7 3,000 S. Bend, IN WFHC 91.5 3,000 Henderson, TN Jackson market WKDU 91.7 800 Philadelphia,PA WKNJ 90.3 9 Union Township, NJ *NYC market WMPG 90.9 1,000 Portland, ME WNAS 88.1 2,850 New Albany,IN Louisville market WPKN 89.5 10,000 Bridgeport,CT New Haven market WWSP 89.9 11,500 Stevens Point,WI If you live in any of these places, by all means, call and request us! 12/10/04 Still waiting but in the meantime... Yes, still waiting for bebe. Tomorrow is the actual due date. I am up way early - can't sleep because I had to have peanut butter and jelly on toast. Being pregnant is pretty rock I must say. I love my little bunny inside! I have a feeling he's going to have a big deep low singing voice when he grows up. Anyhoo, did you know there are sites you can go to and click on everyday that actually make a difference? These sites need hits so they can make money for these causes - it's pretty cool. Here's one...Animal Rescue Site click once a day to provide food for animal shelters - it's eaaaaaaaaasy! What else? MiMi F is even on a bunch of radio stations right now. I will post those soon so you can go request us. After you click on the animal rescue site though. So much good to do in the world - where to begin? So, if I don't write for a while, you'll know it's because IT HAPPENED and that I'm sleep deprived but happy. I'm going to have a bebe like any minute now. This is nuts. I really do have this bumping and grinding bebe inside me and at some point, really at any point SOON, he's going to emerge from my body. I'm gonna PUSH HIM OUT! What? I don't know about you but that blows my mind. It's been really cool being very receptive as of late. I'm just here watching the wheels go round and round, like in the song, and I have to say it's really nice. I feel like I've really listened to music lately too with fresher ears. Some people (annoying ones) will ask me stupid questions like, "So, like, what are you going to do about your music career?" Or my rock star career or whatever. Like a person is supposed to do ONE thing for her entire life and can't stray from the path for even a second. To be frank, this break has helped me in SOOOOO many ways. I feel a renewed energy toward my songs and songwriting. Sure, I miss rocking out and other things like drinking margaritas after a show. But this is so much better. I mean, we're talking my son here. SO, to answer THAT question. I don't know and I don't care. I'm still going to write. I have full intentions to record another solo CD and a MiMi F CD. And I want to play again. What I'm not going to do is give that much of a shit about stupid things. Stupid things like keeping up with the rock Joneses. I read a journal I was keeping around the summer of 2003. Man, was I a mess. A true mess. It was a very hard time for me that time. I had been pregnant and lost it. And really, I had been freaking out about being pregnant, becaue I didn't feel READY because I had 2 albums to finish. But on a very primal level I was mourning, but also relieved. It was very confusing. But I delved myself into finishing MiMi F and the Lazy Eyes albums and buying an apartment with G and just plodded on. And it was Nick, producer of MiMi F 250 X who turned me right round baby right round like a record baby right round round round. He asked me if I ever wanted kids. And I said yes, but not yet, too much to do. And instead of the usual response from a music person, "Well that's good because you can kiss your career gbye" crap, he blew me away with," Y'know, every musician I know that has had kids, it seems like it has just opened up their universe and it everything just fell into place for them. I swear, all their dreams came true." And I realized I had been blocking the flow of energy in my life with G by being so afraid. And this pregnancy has been perfect (well, as far as pregnancies go), every check up is perfect, his little heart beats as fast as its supposed to, he's in the right position, he grows the way he's supposed. I can't tell you what this does to me. And G and I are so lucky to have each other we should be making kids out of us! We need to make more cool people for this stupid world! Anyhoo. I will keep you updated rock journal. In the meantime, please listen to the Lazy Eyes tracks that I've posted at the The Lazy Eyes website. They're really freaking good. The Lazy Eyes. Love love love to all. LARGEREGO and other things... Hello readers my old friends. I've come to tell you about a link again. Well, the election is over and now we get to sit and watch W flounder about for the next 4 years. It's hard work. We order in. We work at our desks. Come in on Saturdays. (Did anyone see that SNL?) Anyway, my husband, father of my child, writes an amazing political column you should read. Yours truly is quoted in this week's article. Go here! LARGEREGO. In other news, well MiMi F's 250 X is being played on many many stations across the country I am proud to say. Even some red states. Though I like to think of them as rad states when it comes to my music. And also, while I grow in my belly getting cloer to my due date (Dec 11th!!!), another album's popularity is growing. The LAZY EYES - go listen to a track or two. It's mine and David First's project that morphed into the best damn recess peanut butter cup this side of Elvis Costello and Bachrach. What's so funny about hips, butts and double d cups? Hey all. It's almost November and to quote an old friend - don't I ever forget it. I've been living by the calendar. And I can't believe there's only a handful of pages until the big day left. And I'm not just talking about my due date, there's the election too. Less than a week away from that. I will say it here and say it now - Kerry is going to win. There. Why? Because Bush is not a two termer - he's just not. He's not even a one termer. I'm trying to make the best of these last weeks before my due date as well. I'd like to do what Martha Stewart did before she went off to jail - order up bottles of champagne, swim in the carribean, chocoloate covered strawberries. She even knew the day she would go in. But these days, it's getting hard for me to even get through a night's sleep or get up from a seated position. Most of the time, I must say, I'm just blown away and feel like I'm giving birth to the first baby ever born. He's my little bunny rabbit inside. We are approaching the other side - the side we feared for so long, the side that was inevitable for us though. Being blessed enough to have found each other, this was an inevitable extention of our love, corny but true. I'm not one of these women that would have done it alone. If I hadn't found G, I'd be who knows where, but not here. Maybe I'd be lying in a gutter clinging to a bottle, singing how dry I am. Or I'd be wafer thin and on the cover of a hipster magazine singing about the hipsters and stringing all the words together in Brooklyn in some rat hole. Kicking out my lover of the week. Coating on another layer of black eyeliner over the old one. I must remember that when I'm sleep deprived and changing the 1,000th diaper. I know what ones still on this side can think. I know how it is, because I've been there my whole life and catch glimpses of it now. That I can't run off at a moments notice and be free and hope on a plane to Europe. Yada yada. I know. But I kind of did that for a long while. And I feel like I can do this adventure now. I'm not being defensive, he's being defensive!! Why I am writing this in my "rock journal" - is this very rock? Well truth is this whole experience so far has shown me how much I need to rely on myself. I feel an overwhelming urge to create create create and by that I mean, from the depths - really mine. I think I've been guilty of hiding behind others - needing others to hold me up, prop me up. Let's see what happens when I truly let it fly from me. And by that I don't just mena, the fruit of my loins, my bunny, but also what's lurks inside, what has been lurking inside? Things 10/04 Hey all, I hope you autumn is bright and sunny. For those who have missed my interview with BeSonic's Colin Lynch is back up in cyberspace. the interview. In other rants, things are interesting. I've been writing songs during this pregnant pause of mine. So much so that I am inspired to record a solo album as soon as I can. Of course, all my musical colleagues will be featured on it, but it will really be for the first time, well, ever I am thinking MY album. The Lazy Eyes was supposed to be my grand solo album and it turned into well, The Lazy Eyes. And my other solo efforts turned into what we know now as MiMi Ferocious. First it was Stephanie and The Davids as Stephanie St. John and then just full blown MiMi F. But nit I think I am ready to really rely on just, ok, with a little help from my friends I will get high. But, this feels really good and right. Also speaking of good and right, my bebe grows everyday. For a picture of last month's belly go:here. And know my belly is way bigger than that right now. And it feel so cooooolllllll! I love it, I have to say. Though scared scared scared am I, it feels right and good. I am less than 8 weeks away from the due date. This is such a weird time with the coming bebe and the election. I've been noticing how in terms of both things, people are governed by fear. In terms of bebe, we are programmed to think that all will go wrong, that being pregnant is a disease, something to go to a hospital for, something that you better take lots of body and instinct numbing drugs for. When in fact it is a natural act that we are built for. That when you are in pain, it is your body's signal to get you to move around and be on all fours, squatting, walking, on your side to get the baby out. Not be still on your back, prolonging the labor. And then there was the blips of the 30's 40's and 50's that took all the instinct out of birthing. And people still would rather trust their doctor who guess what does not birth the bebe - you do. we are working with an amazing nurse midwife practice and they are giving us amazing care. But there are people who think I am actually doing the wrong thing because I am not working with some doctor who's going to automatically shoot me up with an epidural. Mind you, the midwives agree there are times it is medically necessary to have one, if you have been in labor for 24 hours and you are not dilating, perhaps the pain is making you too tense. I'm leaning all this and it is fascinating. And as far as our government and these elections are concerned, there are people who equate W to a doctor. Well, he's the president he must know what he's doing and I trust him because he's the president. History people History! Look at History! We cannot blindly agree with our person in power just because he's in power! We must get educated. Anyway, sorry if this column isn't very rock or very rad. But these are the matters at hand. Stalking pays off! So, you know my song with MiMi Ferocious called, Jonathan? Well it won Honorable Mention in the 12th Annual Billboard World Song Writing Contest for Alt Rock. And not only that, but Jonathan himself has put props about us on his website. Here's his site so you can see the man that is Jonathan that inspired me to write a hit song (well, according to Billboard anyway!) Jonathan Ames, click on readings, performances, news He's really just the coolest ever. His writing is moving, honest without a shred of ego and all the while entertaining, sometimes gross, always as if your sitting right inside his brain or pencil or pants. And also a very popular among literary peeps mentions us, Jonathan and the song as well...Maude Newton...Very cool. I think I finally got the point across! Linkie Linkie and Little Stinkie SO, MiMi F and I did our last show for a while. It was so fun! It was for MEANY Fest at CBs Gallery. We got a nice blurb from Joe MCCombs at the Voice, who is btw, such a rocker and roller! Here tis, hopefully it is still up: Voice Choice blurb! We really rocked. I gave it my pregnant all. I actually forgot I was pregnant! And little pod inside I think really liked the rock! He stayed still the whole time, I think it soothed him. What a rocker pod. There are so many great things about being pregnant. Here they are: 1) It's ok to eat ice cream. 2) My belly finally looks like it should! 3) People are nicer to me. 4) I have an excuse to take naps. 5) I can send fliers that say come to my pregnant prog pop rock show. 6) I can take a "pregnant" pause. 7) I'm never alone! 8) What I do is actually meaningful. 9) I get out of scooping the cat box. and the grand finale... 10) Big granny underpants. Fear Sells Oh yes it does and way more than sex. As is reflected in what is going on in our country today. All logic is out the window as more terrorists are being created in Iraq because, well, let''s see - we invaded their country. And these people had NOTHING to do with 9/11. Nada. And that is proven to be so. Colin Powell said so last week. And there are no WMDs to be found there. And they DID SO let us in to inspect. But Bush has his oil agenda, what with his family's oil co. in Saudi Arabia. I don't understand how any thinking human being can use their brains and not let the facts speak for themselves. And I'll tell you why that may be so. Corporate Radio and TV shows that do not broadcast both sides of the news, but one sided lies. And this is true. Anytime I say that to the "other side" they say, well The NY Times is one sided! Not so. During the entire RNC, they reported quite fairly, too fairly if you ask me. Because my side doesn't sling lies of mud and frankly, isn't too good at being shrewd. Which is probably why it's always harder for my side. Politics by nature is nasty and some people are better at being that way than others. Even so, I will not let fear make my decisions. I will use my brain. That is the only way I will feel safe. Terrorists in Iraq were made because of this war - Iraqies had no interest in us before. In fact Bin Laden asked Saddam H if he could build a terror camp there and he said NO. He was too busy writing romance novels - FACT! Terrorists who are after us here, are being made all over the world and way before Iraq. Why is Bin Laden still alive? 10 to 1 they will bring him out of hiding from the White House right before election day. Us invading Iraq and not fighting the real enemy is the equivalent of my putting all my energy into show after show in the same town, hoping I'll get heard by the world. Which is why we've started our radio campaign - see there is a point to my political discussion today. Just to explain our foray into radio campaining and our break from shows after this month. Also, my belly is getting bigger and bigger. And soon I will be a prisoner to a feeding schedule for a while. Which, I'm actually looking forward to. But anyway! The point is, ya gotta focus your energies. And now the world hates us. My Dad says the world has always hated us. But seriously, the world really hates us now. I don't even want to go to Europe for a while. I'm ashamed of who my country supports. Well, last election we know who really won. And I can see my Dad grimacing now as he read this. If he's even made it this far. But it's true Dad! They rigged the election so hundreds of thousands of black voters' votes didn't count in Fla because they were criminals for crimes they committed in 2007! The evidence is all there, but the senate chose to ignore it. Ok, enough, I'm back to rocker now. I promise I won't keep doing this. I just had to. And BTW, my Dad is a really smart man! And he's actually a Libertarian, according to his views. We're so indie we're like a scarf Indie Indie what to do, indie indie how about you? Here's our latest indieness indie artist radio. So go request a tune by MiMi Ferocious for some good old fashioned radio listening! Don't let Clear Channel tell you what to listen to dammmit! LARGEREGO You all must go the best website around, newly revamped and ready for protesting action and written and designed by my awesomely cute and talented husband.LARGEREGO. Extra points for those of you who perform the star scramble on largerego - what does it stand for? Happy Protesting! If you have an ipod... 250 Times Sweeter Than Sugar for your ipod! as well as The Lazy Eyes album - Tokyo Could Not Be Opened Because Tokyo Could Not Be Found How exciting! We already have people jamming to us while they wait for the subway cocooned in their special white headphoned world. It's fun. In other news, MiMi F are finalists for the Indie-Startup Festival in Toronto - how rocking! It would be fun to go to Toronto and play at one the clubs called - The Bovine Sex Club - yowza! In other funness, just got back from the Boston area where I visited my ever so talented and dear friend whom I shall not name who just came back from a very interesting folk fest where she said it was all so not folkie and very almost olympic in nature! Is nothing sacred anymore? You can't put a 8.0 card up for a song! Anyway. But alas, she did very well but it left a bad taste in her mouth (or could that be something else wink wink - she knows what I'm talking about and it's not what you think dirty minded ones, it's something better). The point is folks, is that art is not quantifiable and why must everything be a contest?? (that's from Mommy Dearest - rememeber?) There's alot of rif and lot of raf, and it's just silly. At some point or another we all gotta get a little more real and put our egos aside. At least for long enough to enjoy a bag of M & M's and a good friend. Which is what I did this weekend, yay. No go get your ipods out everyone and get downloading! MiMi Ferocious is a finalist for the Indie Start-Up festival in Toronto - go MiMi! Stars Cast Corp Hi friends. I belong to this thing where you can send your online EPK out to random things like festivals, management companies, song contests, what have you. I usually will send to anything that's $5.00 or less and not asking for World Music or what have you. I must have sent something for MiMi Ferocious to this company called Star Cast, but I don't remember, sometimes I do this at 4am, when I can't sleep and I want to feel useful. So here's the response. It's kind of funny. Just imagine me and the band at a meeting with their choreographer! Read on: Hi Stephanie, We feel that it is too early to discuss a full-time management agreement but we would like to begin working with you in other ways. As a result of doing so, we could to get to know each other better while still taking steps towards advancing your career. The most immediate assistance that we can offer you is our consulting and/or career planning services. These services will lay the foundation for your success as an artist. It is important to face this extremely competitive industry with a clear strategic plan and a business savvy perspective, which is our expertise. We also work closely with a number of well-known producers, studios and other music professionals through our music production department as well as one of the finest photographers, a highly trained choreographer, a professional image consultant and some of the finest vocal coaches in the New York region, all of whom could be potential assets to your career. If you are interested in any of these services, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly. Sincerely, Stars Cast Corp. Oh my god Star Search here we come!!!! Isn't this hilarious? Blackout Nostalgia, 08/10/04 The last two movies I watched, I bawled like a baby (Pieces of April and yes even at Spellbound), I've been singing Laura Nyro at the top of my lungs whenever I get the chance and my boobs are pooching out of the top corners of my bra. Do you think these have anything to do with the ever growing pod inside? Could be. A year ago today was the blackout! What fun! Sitting in our car drinking borrowed beer from our deli while listening to the news, trying to cool off as we watched people walking from the 59th Street bridge. I try to gage how I've grown in a year. Well, the album(s) are done, done alot of shows, done some out of towners, and other things of a personal nature (sh) have shifted. I'm having blackout nostalgia I suppose. I have a new friend! Yay, a new friend! Sheri - who has introduced me to Laura Nyro - how could I ever let that one slip me by? New York Tenderberry is my favorite. Sherri and I share the same colonic woman and mutual friend and Broadway sensation Meghan Strange. Anyhoo, on the rock front we've received many reviews lately you should go check em out at the MiMi site dood go! MiMi Press! Decans mmmmm Cheese puffs, but they're from Whole Foods, so, I don't feel so bad. Do you ever hear of a Decan? It's part of astrology that gets more in detail by the week you're born, rather than the month. Cuz, let's face it, many people are born in my month that are nothing like me. And plus, whenever I read anything that describes my sign, Virgo, I always feel upset. Hurt. They make my sign out to be such an asshole! And i really don't feel like a Virgo (hey! touched for the very first time...) Anyway, but my Decan, which is part 2 of September, boy, am I like. And one of the things they discuss is that we phase 2 Virgos take ourselves WAY too seriously and need to have a good hard long laugh at ourselves once in a while. How true. And it got me thinking about this journal here. How even in my rock journal I sometimes hide and try to save face. So, today in the spirit of having a good laugh at myself, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. At the end of June, I got a bad review. I mean, a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD one. It was for the Lazy Eyes album I did with David First. It was written for one of those Ezines most people haven't heard of, but still, people read it. And mind you, it was also written by a girl from Takoma who works in a mall (I googled her), but still, in Ezine land, she has the power. This review basically said that I shouldn't even have the right to live. That I can't sing. That my songs are obviously influenced by Ani DiFranco, which, by the way, I never even listen to her, much less even own an album of hers. Basically just that David First probably had to suffer to work with me. (which is why I guess we worked together for 5 years on it) And speaking of David First, he'd be so mad if he knew I was writing this, as he prefers that I don't give power to reviewers. But, I'm really not doing that. I'm finally having a good hard long laugh at this. Because the other day, I was driving and I came across the # 4 slot in my CD player, where the Lazy Eyes has been living. And I listened to it and I really really still really love it. She didn't change my mind. I do think I've grown as a recording artist, songer and songwriter since some of those tracks. But, I still really dig it. So, she broke my cherry. I'll probably never get a review that scathing ever again. I, in a way, am proud now that I've survived such a public humiliation and have survived. You never know what you're going to get when you send your stuff out. But I did it. I sent it out. And I'm still writing songs and will make more albums with MiMi Ferocious, some on my own and who knows. The girl from Takoma can't stop me! I guess, I'm laughing. Ok, maybe not laughing, but I'm letting you know that there are people out in this world who don't like me. And I hope that you still will. I'm alive I'm writing. It's great. I don't really care about much else. There are small things to report, like that the movie that our slamming version of "I Feel Love" is in just won best picture and best director at the Arizona Film Fest. And I sing the very last song that runs through the credits. MiMi Ferocious will be doing the MEANY Fest in NY this coming fall - details to follow when we know we'll let you know. July 21st, 2004, new zoo review At the request of many international fans, I've been asked to update my rock journal. Sorry I've been so neglectful. I have been spending some time emptying out and replacing space with the new. And having WEIRD dreams. As usual. (involving swimming with a bunch of people in Canada but like on a boardwalk - actually I've had 2 dreams of me swimming in Canada - but in this latest one, I'm with Colin Lynch and we're all running from a dinnosaur who makes this huge stomping sound. We swim and hide in a theatre, where a guru and I sing "24601" from Les Miserables and we save people from said dinnosaur that are hiding in the mud with TVs) I've also finished some unfinished songs. I'm completely ready to record a new album! But I must give 250 the attention it deserves. Speaking of Colin Lynch and attention for 250X I must thank him for giving 250X some nice attention - he carefully reviews each song at his ezine - Scout's Digest - go here to see! It's nice when someone gets what you do and appreciates it. On the band front, we are focusing on marketing, working on getting us radio play. There are some stations giving us attention. Like 88.9 WSIA in NYC, Karen Uh-Oh's show on Sunday nights and various indies and online radio stations have us rotation. And what about my side project "Tokyo" you ask? You can go to that website too and check that out - The Lazy Eyes. You can even buy it from said website! It has been rumoured that I've abandonned that as a side project, but that is completely untrue. I love all my children equally. David are you reading this? Cuz if you are, some guy with an army email just bought a copy of "Tokyo" - hmmmm, is there maybe something the government is onto? News So, I've officially outed the fact that I am with child. Yes, I am a rocker and I am with child. We had our CD release paaaaaaaaaartay at CBGB's last week and it went fabulous. I was very stressed about what I would wear more than anything else. But, thankfully, my showingness kind of waited, well, until today. Today it's all starting to be undeniable. I just want my belly to be huge NOW, so that on the subway people will give me seats and so that people will not judge me for my fatness, and will rather be all adoring of the pregnant woman's belly. It's kind of in between now. It's sticking out, but it needs to ge BIGGER! So, yes, it is kind of a weird time. The band is in tip top form and we kick ass. But, I need a break badly. I just can't sing about sleeping with my cab driver anymore and well, even Cinderella and her canoe and hairy crotch is getting old. The solution is that I'm taking a break for the whole month of July. I am not reading any music listings. I am not sending anything out. I am not even thinking about MiMi F. What I will be doing is emptying out. It's time for me to get deep in touch with my solitary creative muse. My brain is full. And chattery and frankly, annoying and boring. I'm going to the ocean for a week the beginning of july and taking it from there. I've been yanked around a bit lately music businessy wise. And it's starting to make me wonder why I do this in the first place. The truth is that nothing moves me more than a good song. Nothing makes me love someone more than when they come up with a brilliant part for a song or when they dig deep and find brilliance. I'm not sure what people are doing any of this for if it's not for that. Seems that everyone wants to be cool. Seems that a "sound and look" and not a song is what is "making it" these days. Am I becoming like an old person who says, "In my day...". Well, so be it. But, I need to do what I started doing this in the first place for. The music. It's all about the music. While my body is creating this little being, I need to tap into my other creative force to get me through this, so I won't be singing Wheels on the Bus instead of well, let's see what the future brings. Loop Station vs. Poop Station All I can say is I'm glad I'm not in a car right now. The month of May was spent driving. Got to see much country though and enjoyed many nice truck stops. Even got pulled over by a very pretty trooper in Ohio who ended up just giving old lead foot here a friendly warming slip. Cool! The MECA show was great, but mainly because this amazing bunch of guys from Toronto called The Divine saved my ass at my MiMi Less Ferocious show. The club had no sound guy and no mics and I was not expecting that. These guys had their goth makeup on, their goth clothes and goth hair and they were just so helpful and friendly. But when their show started, they were all crotch grabbing and sexy urchins. And their music was totally rad - I loved them! Anyway, they made my night. I did a good show, tho I missed the band. I tried to capture their energy by using a loop station, which proved to be a smart thing to do. All my Less Ferocious shows will now include the loop station. Better than a poop station, I'll tell you that right now! Because that's what my show would've been if it weren't for The Divine. But I learned alot of good things in my travels and got to see many people that I love who don't live in the tri-state area. I left my guitar stand on the North Damen road in Chicago by the side of a fence, because all trip long it was falling apart. I don't have the patience for saudering metal, so I'll think I'll just buy a new one. But if you want it, I'm sure it is still there. Hey, cool news, Tupperwhere Sky was chosen to be in the new Todd Falcon film - he's some famous skater dood. I guess, we're cheaper than Avril Lavigne. Definitely not the devil... The reviewer in question actually wrote me and I'm going to send him a CD, so I love reviewers again. Maybe NOW he'll see the thread. Hitting the road again this week. Off to the midwest for some Ohio action and Chicago lovin. I'm doing the MECA conference, but as MiMi less Ferocious. Even bringing out some old school acoustic songs on the Baby Taylor. In the alt tuning, as that's the only way it seems to sound good. The old baby is onher last legs though, according to Peekamoose guitars. I say she's got plenty of alt rocking left to do. Yes. It's going to fun partying it up at club 1534 with DJ CJ and Sam the Samster. And Lollygagger and D. You know it!! PAAAAARTY! Ok, maybe not the devil... So, we're on our way to Chapel Hill NC to visit Charles, Xtine, Neko and the people at Merge! Then on our way back we'll be hitting DC for the Future of Music Coalition where I hope to shake Derek Silver and Suzanne Vega's hand both at the same time maybe! We'll see! I'll be like, "Remember that time you sang about Luka? Remember how he lived on the 2nd floor? That was cool." Hopefully not. It'll be good to get out of the city, though, the weather's been very intoxicatingly spring. Charming mod rocker = me Ok ok ok, we/I got a review by Mr. X at StarPolish that said some not so nice things but then toward the end he said some very cool things "Go Here To Read it..."but still it was bit angering since some of what he said, was well, wrong. Rocket's not meant to be a hit. Hence the no chorus or refrain as he calls it. And I wrote the music at the same time as the lyrics Mr X reviewer. It's so crazy. The last time I got reviewed at StarPolish, they said my songs were too alike. So, this time, I chose cuts from the album that were very diverse and I get that they're too different. And he can't find the thread, well that's because you don't have the entire album on ya do ya Mr. MCC! YA CAN'T PLEASE EM! And that is a fact. And it dawned on my the other day, ya know, just because I think something sounds great, why should everyone else? And vice versa. It's very freeing to just make what you like. And please yourself. And be yourself. But this guy accused me of being schizophrenic and for the record, "schizophrenic" means you hear voices -- "dissociative personality disorder" refers to having more than one distinct personalities (formerly known as "multiple personality disorder"). So there, Mr. Smarty Pants. (thanks MP) and I should know as our mother (ya know, the one on the album cover) had a touch of that. But just because I've gone from singer/songwriter to rocking mimi ferocious lady, he can't handle it and accuses me of some kind of mental illness. Jeeese! And also for the record, i'm not MiMi F, the band is. Like Debby Harry and Blondie. She's not Blondie! I'm not sure how many of you read this anymore, as the MiMi F site seems to get alot more attention that this, so I think I can feel free to rant and maybe it'll be like an arrow shot into the air in an emptly field with no repercussions. Because it's important to say the truth instead of always being afraid to offend someone. But here's how I feel. I think most critics are the devil. They get off on adverbs and adjectives while the ones they slam actually get out in the world and live. The Future of Music Coalition I was lucky to get a scholarship to go to the Future of Music Coaltion . So, I will be there this weekend in DC handing out CDs and learning about this wacky industry! And for all you Chicagoans, I will be performing at thr MECA festival on Saturday May 15th at the Pontiac Cafe. More on that later... April 25th, 2004, Thank God that damn voting is over! Now I can get back to my life! But we became Honorary Gems! Yay! Thanks Dan! It sure brought out the OBCOM in me. Oy! And others as well. MiMi Ferocious CD Release Date, mark it down!!! Hey, I guess I haven't written in a while, ya know why? We've been sending the MiMi Ferocious CD all over creation, because, why? It's here! And we will be officially releasing it Tuesday June 8th, and our paaarty to kill all parties will be Thursday June 17th at CBGB's Downstairs Lounge. There's alot going on at the moment. I will be performing an unplugged MiMi show at the MECA music conference in Chicago next month. I was very lucky to be chosen for a showcase but, it's been a while since I've played unplugged, sort of MiMi less ferocious thing, so I'm starting to prepare now. I'll be playing for many of my/our Midwest fans, who I believe read this journal often, so hi! (according to my stats anyway). I wish wish wish the whole band could come out for the show, but it's not looking likely because of family committments of the graduating from the Masters Program in Theology variety, brothers from Scotland that is who are in NJ, on the one day I NEED YOU DW! Oh well, it's not meant to be, but I will unplug it and make it memorable and maybe even surprise myself. Yo! My interview with Colin Lynch!!! March 21st, 2004 Go here for my Stephanie's rockin interview with Be Sonic and Dirty Girls Music scout Colin Lynch. Cool attention from Besonic for BROWN... Yo, got featured at Besonic for BROWN from Cinderella's Dead. Yeee haw! here's what he says: "Excellent Alanis/Kate Bush style lyrics, vocals, and superb band support make this song an absolute must for anything that can play it back loud!" And you can see it and hear the song here... --Colin Lynch Besonic Vote for MiMi Ferocious so we can get ourselves some airplay! We've been selected for the 2nd annual Radio Crystal Blue Airplay Contest! Vote for MiMi Ferocious. Help us help oursleves to fame and fortune! Vote Here We love you! All Ages Show at Arlene Grocery Hey all kids, grandmas, moms and just people looking to do something fun during a Saturday afternoon: the All Ages Show at Arlene Grocery. Saturday April 3rd at 4:00pm... MiMi Site, click on shows... And meanwhile the MiMi album is being designed and looking good. Very excited. I've been away in Costa Rica and nary a guitar did I pick up so I'm working on my calluses over the next few days before our first rehearsal we've had in a while. Getting my mojo on... Yo! I sang my ass off at Tupleo the other night and it just rawked. I had been not looking forward to the gig, I dunno. One of those things where I got scared I couldn't channel Robbert Plant properly and I'd look stupid. But I got pretty inspired by the singer Joey Royale and I just let it fly. Even Lin said I surprised him and he is not easily surprised. And then today my chiropractor took the MiMi CD to slip to one his patients that is the president of a record company (that he wasn't at liberty to say which one). I also met up with this video guy who is shooting The Best Ones for us. It was tres cool to see this actor dude throw pillows and cry over his ex (me, I'm the ex singing The Best Ones) on screen. We're going to do some more shooting with my lip synching. Yeah, lip synching! There is good buzz for MiMi. Like I said in an entry from a week or so ago, we are gathering our energy. And today is a good for that as the weather is very cold and wet in NYC, it's the perfect day for a hot bath and who knows what else.. Boston, Urinetown, Susan Went to a Salon for the first time in my life somewhere outside of Boston to see my friend Susan Levine sing some of her new songs and hear others as well. Let's just say she never ceases to make me cry! I really enjoyed the whole experience - we don't really have these things here. And MF Daisy was no slouch either, as well as my quirky favorite Lisa Houseman and Dave. I bring the band up to the Midway sometime, as they all recommended it fro MiMi F. Also my dear friend Meghan as Little Sally in Urinetown - just fantastic - amazing musical in a very unmusical way. GO SEE IT! Good Rejections "Stephanie - This is certainly musically credible and interesting, thoughtful... Not words that generally go alongside descriptions of major label signings these days. This A&R person (like all the major label folks) need a no-brainer radio hit to move this up through the ranks to the presidents office to get his approval to invest a million plus bucks to see if they've got anything (a hit). I'm not trying to tell you to change your sound or your ways. Just be aware that major labels are all about hits. Something tells me you're really not trying to go there." --TAXI SCREENER #9758 "Stephanie - In general, everything I like about this is what makes it wrong for this listing. It's a unique writing style and unique instrumentation, arrangement and vocals. Bad for TV/Film! I'm afraid you're too unique for this my dear. I'm not saying be less original, but for film/tv, it's trend chasing, not wheel re-inventing." --TAXI SCREENER #47593 01-13-04 I should be in bed, but I'm not. I may write a book and start it like this: when I was little my father paid me quarters to massage his feet. That's gotta be wrong right? But, I stacked them proudly in the drawer of my headboard. And used them to buy candy at the Cumberland Farms. So, anyway, mind has been swimming lately with stuff, since I've had time to actually sit and write and think. And not just about mixes and tracking. It's the whole baby thing. Dammit! I wish my eggs and womb didn't have an expiration date! I have these urges and then my brain says all different things. Like, it will enrich your art, open you up and then my other brain says you are being fooled by your hormones and you will be sentenced to a life in prison with Barney. But i know it's more than that. And it's gotta be more than this. And I don't want to be a shallow self obsessed fucker that was too selfish to ever have children. And it's more than that I want my freedom and that I want to be number one, or famous or some kinda shyte. This is who I am - ug, this is so redundant - BORING! Anyway, it's hard having hormonal and emotional urges that have been around since the big bang and to also be a pre-rock star at the same time. When I listen to the wind and want to write a song, my body also wants to create create create. So, I make cookies and use condoms. Go here for new tracks off our KICK ASS NEW ALBUM! Especially The Rocket Song, I am most proud of. MiMi Jan 12st, 2004 So, onto mastering now for the MiMi album. We put all the pro-tools stuff to tape, what a difference it makes in the sound. Warm, smokey full (wait did someone say that about Cinderella's Dead?) SO, I feel like an arrow in the pullback position gathering energy and strength. And we release the album we can let the arrow fly. And do some cool things with this.We'll probably have a release party in April. And in the meantime we can shop it around and get distribution. So, I've been saying NO to gigs pretty much until we get our live act together right, I may want to include the use of a Roland 505 which we use on Chariot and the new I Feel Love (dove, lump, lub). go here, listen to new stuff, like The Rocket Song, which kicks some serious heiny. MiMi Jan 1st, 2004 Happy New Year - yay! Yay. It was a year ago tonite that Barbara Powell passed on to the great who knows where. And we were there. MiMi and the F's and I are almost finished (for real, really, rhymes with Giggli) mixing the album. Which explains my lack of time to any journal writing. Plus the holidays n all. Oy, I'm so glad they are over! Too much! No more cookies please! Anyway, go here to pay tribute to the late Barbara Powell at this link. om shantih. Mom We had a blast. We were a bit rusty, but somehow it all came back to us. Especially "I Feel Love" - wow! And thanks for Brown Wilson, I did not lose my necklace in my cleavage.