Craig L M itc hell Releases his“ K - Soy}-/Iéreeing \ I r on \' /F Interviewed by Michael C. Albero It was Halloween night, and as. one might expect, the patrons of 135 Pearl were dressed for the occasion. Drag queens and kings, topless women, and jock strapped men were all present adding additional fuel to the already thick atmosphere of barely repressed sexual energy. For an un- der-age Craig Mitchell, who was vis- iting the club for the first time, the com- bination was a little unnerving. “I was freaked out. There was a guy behind the bar with his jeans ripped from top to bottom. He kept buying me drinks, and I thought he was just being nice." Despite his initial fears, Mitchell quickly adapted to the alternative sur- roundings and even secured a job within the club as a d.j. Now the envi- ronment which provided his first glimpse of the queer community is serving another role — launching pad for his latest endeavor as lead singer of Craig Mitchell and the Orange Fac- tory. For Mitchell, whose youth was spent with family enjoying the outdoor wilderness of his home in Saginaw, Michigan, finding self respect has not been easy. The oldest of three, he never really knew his father, George, and only spoke with him on a couple occasions. “My mom sort of made a conscious decision never to get mar- ried. She met George in Tennessee one summer and stayed with him,” said Mitchell. Ratherthan visiting him on school vacations, Craig preferred to go fishing’ with family and often spent the majority of each week in the solitude provided by local waterways. “We lived to fish, but I never ate them. I felt a sort of brotherhood to fish and even today I get really sick when I smell them.” In contrast to the carefree days ' of summer, the autumn and winter months in school were some of the worst Mitchell has ever endured, causing a sense of self hatred to arise. The butt of manyjokes and ridiculed as a “faggot,” Craig was never able to understand his perpetual role as an outcast. “I was beaten up in the first grade and in the second grade by a. girl. At the time I didn't know why. Now I know it’s because l’m different," said Mitchell. Although he made several attempts to conform to the standards of his classmates, he met with little success. "I tried to play their game,“ he stated. “I tried to be tough, but I just couldn’t do it. Every time I did they just saw right through it.” Despite the agony he experi- enced at school, Mitchell was able to find some solace in the music of Prince, which was introduced to him by his grandmother. In listening to the music, he discovered a place where he could “run and hide" from the ver- bal and physical abuse of his class- mates. While the music seemed to state the feelings and emotions which he could not, the artist himself began to serve as a role model. “I started wearing a trench coat, eyeliner, [and I] grew my hair long. Instead of ev- —Doesn’t Seem So eryone saying, ‘There is Craig, that tag’ it was, ‘There is Craig, who looks like Prince.‘ Every move he made, ev- ery word he said, I was on top of him." Nevertheless, Mitchel|’s lowly status remained intact throughout school, finally causing him to act out. “In high school I was viewed as a fag. People loved what I did (work, projects, musical events), but I was still viewed as a fag. While being who I was, doing the things I was doing, I was verbally and physically abusive toward gay people. I thought if I just kicked gay people out of my \ face, then I’d never have to \ be gay.” While these actions I brought more personal I comfort than popularity, / Mitchell found new friend- / ships through participation on the basketball team, includ- / ing a special relationship with one star player, D.J. In addition to daily practices, they frequently spent more time in each other’s company as a genuine bond began to develop. "D.J and I would get together every three days or so. That was exciting. Records. Although it was poorly re- corded by an unknown country singer,_ Cathy Cox, selling the song was Mitchell’s first significant victory within the music industry. Almost ten years later, Mitchell has returned to the field. However, with the recent release of his deeply personal debut album, Naked (Or- ange Factory Records), it is possible he may find a more lasting respect. From the beginning, it is clearthis CD will not be the typical “gangsters para- dise" which hasseized the musical world by storm. Rather it is a confes- sional piece that speaks directly from theinusician’s heart, promising “all my intentions, contemplations and se- cretsfin you I must confide." Through- out the work, the listener is confronted with visions of Mitchell's life created with the aid of mature lyricsand pul- sating melodies. The combination pro- vides a unique glimpse into Mitchell's thoughts on spirituality, a troubled younger brother and the special rela- tionship he shares with his mother. Another topic candidly dis- cussed on the album is the artist’s near overdose on heroin as a student That I enjoyed. -at Saint Michael's Eventually he - College. “When|left stopped talking to my room I was smil- me... right in the ing and happy, but middle of me still behind closed doors wanting him," said I was punching Mitchell. Feeling a holes in the wall," need to vent his . stated Mitchell. emotions, Craig be- , Complex in sub- gan to write, a prac- stance, these feel- tice first initiated ings are relayed viv- many years before idly throughout as an outlet from family problems. Un- like his earlier works though, “Forever Long" spoke of an in- terrupted Iove affair and the disappoint- ment which was “It:-ietltnplay lIIe'I'ntIlIe,|Il"ltll IIIIlet0llII,|lllI« ']lstl:tIlII'tlltIiI. Ii-veI'yt'Inelril “Heroin,” a confes- sional piece that re- flects the motives of many youths. By it- self, the song lends support to the album’s hype as “a trip without the en- hancing concoc- prevalentthroughout tions”that is guaran- Mitchel|’s life. After _ teed "to setyoursoul writing the song, it W free.”However, after was recorded and listening to the mailed to various M it’-' words and music, it record companies is evident that it is before eventually being purchased for one thousand dollars by Rainbow Craig Mitchell's soul that is finally fly- ing free. @} FRIDAY Orange - Women of the Woods pizza and planning at Sue’s. Bring your drink of choice. FMI 225-0109 F9 Essex Junction - Through Sept. 7, Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force volunteers will be staffing a booth at The Champlain Valley Fair. lfyou are interested in helping VFMTF be visible to thousands of people con- tact Beth Robinson 388-6356 B} ' MONDAY Burlington - BLT (bisexual, lesbian, transgender women’s) Health Net- work will be meeting at the Peace and Justice Center at 7:00 PM. Come visit SATURDAY us, join us, participate in the develop- ment of health information and help for the health of BLT’s in the state of Vermont. For further info: phone: Lanny 899-4588, or Joy 848-7037. september D SUNDAY I Burlington - UU CIRCLE: Full Moon ritual, potluck, and meeting. All who support the Covenant of UU Pagans’ mission are welcome. Wear garb if you like, and bring something for feast, a musical instrument, and a cushion to sit on. HC accessible. First UU Society of Burlington, 152 Pearl St., 6 pm. Donations. Info,» 658-9689. 3} SATURDAY Ferrisburgh - BIKE FOR THE RIGHT TO MARRY. Fundraiser for Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force. Ride in scenic Champlain Valley. All expe- rience levels welcome. FMI Call Nancy, 453-5420, orSusan, 877-3165 Danbury, NH - Fifth Annual NH Women’s Music Festival, at the Ragged Mountain Ski Area. FMI: 603- 224-3501, or email rthis61'rrh.ultr'arreat.z:r:ern. This year’s concert is dedicated to the late Suky Grover, with net proceeds going to the NH Breast Cancer Coalition. Plainfield, NH - 4pm, Cook-out, games and Bonfire at Kim & CaroIyn’s: 603-675-6865. Williamstown - Dusk Women of the Woods End-of-Summer Bonfire. Bring the usual snacks and something to drink. Hot dogs, buns and fixings pro- vided. Bring a lawn chair. FM! 229- 0109 w SUNDAY Montpelier - Vermont Gay Men’s Chorus general meeting. UU Church, 4 - 7pm, This will be an informal meet- ing to talk about music, make sugges- tions, have a professional there to lis- ten and makerecommendations and actually sing!!! w WEDNESDAY Brattleboro - Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force meeting. Planning for future panels and Gay Bingo. 7pm Brattleboro Savings and Loan Assoc. Community Room, 221 Main St. FMI Bari Shamas 387-5788 W TUESDAY St. Albans - Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force representatives will be guests for their The Rotary Club meeting at noon. W SUNDAY Burlington - The First Congregational Church, 11am, Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force representatives will be speaking following the Churchrs regular service. FM! Wendy Beinner 802 652-0723 ~ cntmnn, conrmurs, p20