Scott Malcom: News

Hello folks. I'm going to be the proud papa of another CD in the upcoming months. Right now I am in the middle of recording, but I can tell you that it will be much different from the debut CD "Shine." I'm trying to hold on to the piano/vocal roots, but there is so much more to come on the next endeavor. I won't waste any more time trying to describe it...you will just have to wait to hear it. Perhaps once I get a track polished and ready for mastering, I will put a bit of it on the website...just to whet your appetite!

This summer has been very relaxing for me in terms of music performing and producing. My thoughts have been elsewhere....a new house, travel, biking, tennis, avoidance of work! I have made several really big steps, though. I have been working on recording my 2nd CD. It is turning out to be really something different than my first effort. I think that's good. You're gonna hear a different side! I'll get it out there as soon as possible. The 2nd awesome event was Pridefest. I sang the National Anthem at Pride this year and Women's Voices of Milwaukee sang a 4-part rendition of my song "A Love Like This." What an honor on both fronts!

It was hard to say goodbye to The Mosaic on Downer. I have driven by there several times in hopes that Chip has decided to open it up again...no such luck. Now I have to look forward to my present venue for the May 31st show. At 8:00 P.M., I will do my first solo show at the MGAC, the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center. I have performed here several times, and I have to say that I love singing and playing in the space. It suits me. So, come on out and hear me do my thing. I hope it will suit you, too!

I know I've said previously that The Mosaic will be closing it's doors soon. I'm slowly but surely wrapping my mind around it. It is a simple reminder that change is constant. I have gone though many changes, myself (many because of my experience at The Mosaic!). Where you live, who you know, how you feel, what you eat, what you weigh, who you are...it all changes. Hopefully you grow from these changes. I've grown because of the opportunity to perform in that little space on Downer Ave. There's none other like it in Milwaukee. I'm not the same person I was 4 years ago, and I have to thank Chip, Thomas, and that little room with the tile floor. The Mosaic has offered me a safe place to express myself...to laugh, cry, hate, and love. I will find a new space, but I'll never forget where it all started.

Yes...it is true. The Mosaic is closing on Downer Ave. This is particularly sad for me because The Mosaic is where it all started for me about 4 years ago. One night I wanted to go sing one of my new, depressing songs about how sad I was at the time. A friend introduced me to open mic night at The Mosaic. I played "You're Still Here," "Look Out," and "Funny." One of the owners came up to me and hired me that night. Funny how things work out sometimes. Well, four years later, one CD later, many performances later, and many new fans later, The Mosaic on Downer is closing it's doors. There's no space like it in Milwaukee. I will try to squeeze in 2 more shows at the Downer location. One is coming up on January 12, 2008, and the other will either be February 2 or February 9...still undecided. I know from experience that chapters close and new chapters open. I'm not sure whether The Mosaic will reopen as a live performance bar in a new location. I will definitely keep you informed.

Yes, it is true folks. A popular and very talented DJ from Minneapolis, Tori Fixx, has created a dance remix of Place Your Bets. He e-mailed me the 1st draft today. I've never wanted to dance to a sad song so much in my life. I love it! I will try to get it on the website soon, so all the world can dance their sadness away! Thanks goes out to Mr. Fixx for honoring me with this turnabout!

The November 11th opening show for Eric Himan might have been the 2nd hardest show to date. Even though I sang only about 8 songs, my voice was very upset at me...I would say angry. Finally, my voice called it quits...right in the middle of Place Your Bets! The crowd laughed, I laughed, and I sang one more song to end my part...actually whispered one more song would be more like it! People who were there said it sounded ok. I couldn't tell because my head was so congested. I'll take their word for it!

Hey you guys. I miss you. It's been such a long time since I performed. BUT...I'm coming back out in the merry month of November. I have 2 shows lined up...November 11 and November 17. November 11 is Eric Himan's return to Milwaukee...I'm opening for him along with Yolanda and Corky, co-conspirators from Unity in Harmony. November 17 is my solo show at The Mosaic, Milwaukee's premier venue for singers and songwriters. Check out the calendar for specifics.

Also...I wanted to give a shout-out to the presidents of my regional fan clubs.

To the president of the New York City Fan Club, Jeremy....Jeremy, you need to fast-forward through 1994...it's too sad for the subway! If you keep listening, I'll keep singing.

To the president of the Atlanta fan club, Laura...girl, you rock...you made me buttons, you gave me margaritas, you make me smile. Keep singing that karaoke!

I'm the president of the Milwaukee fan club...so yay me!

I've got new thoughts and new sounds coming your way.

So it's the end of the summer. That's ok, I guess. It's one of the perks of my "other" job of being a teacher. This summer was special, though. I did not separate my clavicle. I did not need to surgically remove a disk in my neck. I played tennis, softball, and biked with moderate success. Biking was more sucessful than the others...who keeps score in that?!! I spent the summer with wonderful people...good people...people that I love, and I know they love me. As long as you are surrounded by good people, then the school year starting isn't such a tragedy. Provincetown was beautiful...where did that week go? The weather in Milwaukee was beautiful. I had fun playing with the Woody's softball team and cheering for the MGAC softball team. I gained weight because Steve is such an awesome cook...I don't even mind that too much. I woke up every morning this summer before 8:00 and got the day started. I made a point of appreciating every moment. I did a pretty good job of it. So for my wonderful summer, I thank Steve, Dirty Dan, Todd, Steve (the other white meat), Lisa, Will, Yogi, Bryan, Sheila, Kathy, Lynn, Barb, Pat, David, Chris, Bubba (Will), Mike, Juan, and anyone else I might have failed to type at this moment. Many thanks for making life really fun this summer. It was the best one yet! Get back to work!

So Scott and other local artists performed at Pridefest this year...yay!They performed tracks off of the newly released CD entitled "Unity in Harmony" and other favorite selections. (Click on the "Buy" icon for more info.) They performed at the Rainbow Pavilion, and it was really nice. Most of Scott's loyals showed up to support the show, then Scott and the MKE/Madison posse walked around Pride all day until the Chaka Chan concert later that night. Thanks to all the people who made an effort to be there for the show! Love ya!

The complilation CD entitled "Unity in Harmony" was officially released on June 3rd. Specifics on how to get your hands on a copy will be coming later. They definitely will be sold at Pridefest, and they are planned to be sold on CDBaby where Scott's debut CD is also for sale. The result is very nice, and the state of WI is well represented along with some out-of-state jewels. Check it out....Mikey likes it!

The May show at the Mosaic was so very nice. Scott's voice was working, and the crowd was a blast! Yolanda Roth, a local songstress was the guest artist for the night. She didn't know that she was going to be the guest artist....it just worked out that way! Nobody's safe at Scott's shows. Next is gonna be Dirty Dan...he needs a spot in the limelight! Next stop....PRIDEFEST!

This past weekend, Scott and other artists had a meeting of the minds in Minneapolis. The theme song for the upcoming compilation CD "Unity in Harmony" was composed and recorded. Scott also got to record two new tracks for the CD. He had a hard time choosing, but after some help from friends, he decided on "Place Your Bets" and "Newton County." Scott had to leave Minnesota right after recording, so the finished product will be a surprise to even him! Thanks to Yolanda, Corky, Isha, and Steve for all your help and support. The CD will be for sale at Pridefest and other places TBA.

This past week, Aric Gatling, developer of "thyairwebreathe.com" asked Scott if he could used the song "You're Still Here" on his website. The website will provide a support network for people who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Wow.

What a fun night at The Mosaic. Scott performed a full 3 hours without his neck breaking or his arm coming out of joint! He introduced the crowd to two new songs, "Epiphany" and "Resignation." The crowd was awesome, vocal (thanks to the Scottettes), and enthusiastic. The Madison crowd, true to their form, kept requesting songs from Scott's first days at The Mosaic. For those lovable history buffs, he resurrected "Funny," his first ever song at The Mosaic. Hmmmm...maybe we'll get a peek at a few more of those gems next time. As always, people new to the show commented on the atmosphere of The Mosaic...intimate, relaxing, and just perfect for a performance like this. Milwaukee's best kept secret is still going strong!

I step inside these hallowed halls,
I lean my back against the wall...
a wall that I leaned against for years.

My fingers an extension of my soul...
a sum of parts, but not quite whole
and a heart full of fire.

I don’t belong here,
and I don’t need to belong here.
For the first time in my life it's clear
that I don’t need you anymore.

Drawing life from a vine
that was never planted to nourish me
And I’m singing a song, a song all mine
for people so blind.

I don’t need a ticket for that show
where everyone you see
is everyone you know,
and judgement comes from the guilty.
No, I don’t really think so.

So...here I sit
with my head bowed low,
and for the first time in my life,
my life is all my own.

And some nights begin
because of the lie that was the day.
Some chapters end
because there’s really nothing more to say.

I don’t belong here,
and I don’t need to belong here.
For the first time in my life it's clear
that I don’t need to belong, my dear.

There comes a time in every man’s life
when you realize who’s on your side.
There comes a time when you know that you just can’t hide.

On October 14th, Scott had his B-day show at The Mosaic. It was a huge success. It had a more laid-back feel, and the people that had to be there...were there. The Milwaukee crowd, the Madison crowd, the Chicago crowd. Fun was had by all. Afterwards, the diehards went out for a drink with Scott at Fluid, and that is where Scott knew something was really wrong with his back. After playing the show, Scott had non-stop pain in his upper back and pain shooting down his right arm. Scott went to the doctor, and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" no..really...the doctor said as long as it's just pain, but no loss of strength, it should be fine. The next day, Scott loss strength in his arm. He went to a specialist, and the next day, October 20th, was in Columbia St. Mary's Hospital for spinal surgery. The surgeon took out a herneated disk and replaced it with bone from the hip (Scott's hip, not the doctor's...that would be weird.) Scott was released the next day, and now he is at home recovering. So....your e-mails, your snail mail, and your kind thoughts and prayers have been much appreciated, and Scott will respond as soon as he can. For most of you, this will be the first you've heard of this episode, so send some happy thoughts Scott's way! He's already tried playing the piano, and both his hands still work...No Fear!

Yes, folks, Scott is turning 19 again on October 14th, and he's doing a show to celebrate! Now that his shoulder is a bit better, he's ready to pound the keys and sing a few songs for the locals. Oh yeah...his kitchen is done, too. Maybe he'll have a little kitchen warming party over at his pad sometime soon. Check out his show at The Mosaic on October 14th starting at 9:00 p.m. Maybe there will be a special birthday drink special for you if you order the Scottini! Ask Chip...if there's a drink...he can make it!

Scott's show on September 16th was a huge success. He was in high spirits despite the shoulder separation...it didn't seem to slow him down any on the piano. In fact, Scott shared a roaring version of Lazarus he lovingly named the "Tori Amos Remix." Translation....he beat the hell of the piano. He seemed to put a new spin on many of the old faves which was very amusing to some...and perhaps confusing to others. He was in an experimental mood. The crowd joined in on several tunes, especially Scott's standard, "Now", Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," and When In Rome's "The Promise." "The Promise" is one of those undergrad songs that takes everyone back to a wonderful time. You can't be unhappy and listen to it! Scott's new song "I've Seen (Enchanted)" was the crowd favorite, and it brought Dirty Dan to tears. He said he really didn't care about the rest of the show after that song!Thanks DD! What a sweetie. After the show, Scott, Steve, Dirty Dan, Yolanda, and Chase hit a local bar, Fluid, where a good time was had by all. Good times. Yeah. Good times.

Ok...so Toby was the only voter, but that's ok. Scott and Steve attended Toby's 40th...yes 40th...birthday party this past weekend. At the get-together, Toby introduced Scott to everyone as the best singer in Milwaukee....so Scott is glad to claim that title! Happy B-day Toby!