Want and the Stories of Mike and Julie | My Neighbors

On an economic level, I share more in common with an individual who is homeless than I do with that of a person who is upper middle class or upper class.

I am a professional musician trying to make a living on the music I write. I am lower class.

The first song I ever wrote was about a young girl in Visalia who tried to commit suicide off of the side of a highway overpass, into oncoming traffic on the 198 freeway. She survived. I only showed this song to one friend: Elizabeth Rosenberg. I was around 20 years old at the time.

This song above, is so many years far removed from that first song. I am going to be 46 years old in April.

This song is not just about homelessness; it is about recognizing the value of each other. It is about recognizing that which makes us similar, instead of focusing on that which makes us different.

I talk to people. Sometimes it's on my own time. Sometimes it's on theirs. I had four or five people call me on the phone the other day and I talked to everyone, and showed my love by listening and being engaged, being present, and enjoying their company for as long as I could, before needing to get back to work.

This includes friends I have made who are homeless.

Rather than share the lyrics of this song, I will share their stories as best as I know.

MIKE

I met Mike when I first moved to Eagle Rock in Los Angeles. Mike has been homeless for approximately 40 years. He grew up in Chicago. Sometimes, I would bring a cup of coffee from my house to him, and we would sit and talk about his life. He left Chicago in his late teens out of fear. He said he witnessed something that he shouldn't have, and left Chicago because there was a person trying to eliminate him as a witness.

I listened. His story—it's hard to know whether there is reality to it or not. What I could do though, is ask him if he had family in Chicago who would take his call. He said yes. I asked if he knew their number. He said yes. So, I offered him my phone, and encouraged him to reach out. I also said, that whoever wanted him dead, has long forgotten about him and that his family would most certainly be happy to hear his voice. He refused.

One day as I was passing by, he said hi to me, and said, "hey you're a musician right?" I said yes. He told me that he always wanted to learn guitar. I told him, that I would be happy to gift him a guitar and teach him how to play. All that he needed to do was to show up at 11am in front of the mini mart by my house, and I would bring materials to teach him. He didn't show up and that's okay.

One day I passed by him in front of that same mini mart, and he was excited to be the recipient of 12 brand new pairs of socks. He asked if I needed any socks, and offered me a few pair of socks. I told him that I have plenty of socks, and that I would feel better about it, if he kept them and used them for himself.

I haven't seen Mike in a few years, but I love him.

JULIE

I don't know Julie nearly as well. She has her good days, and she has her bad days. She is schizophrenic. She has not told me that, but I am fairly certain this is the case.

She often speaks to people I can not see, but not always consistently. Sometimes she is more lucid than on other occasions.

She screams in terror at 4am in the morning at invisible entities that I do not see. However, she is terrified of them. Genuinely terrified. I will hear her banging on road signs, screaming for these entities to leave her alone. Begging them at times. Ordering them on other occasions, with words of authority and conviction and profanity.

I have gone out to check on her in the early hours of the morning, to make sure she is okay, when I can hear her pleas and banging to be left alone. It is on those occasions that she has shared with me that one of the entities is covered in blood and repeatedly tries to molest her.

She does not remember my name, and I don't mind. She often does not make eye contact with me. Sometimes she does.

She has upset my neighbors on a few occasions using our shared garden house for the yard to clean her clothes. I found her doing this once, and merely asked that she would approach me beforehand, before using the hose.

----------

I do what I do, because it makes me happy. It is humble work. I have traveled all over the United States sharing my stories and the stories of others, with people, such as yourselves. I have met many of you and connected with many of you, from this pursuit.

I am incapable of fixing the issue of homeless by myself. I need help. I need your help. We elevate each other. That is what we do. That is what we can do. Like anything, it starts at a thought—but manifests to reality by action.

I manifest my life. You do too. It is not our responsibility to judge what is impossible or possible. It is our purpose to pursue what makes us happy and to attempt to elevate each other.

I have spent my lifetime devoting myself to story and song. I know I am good at it. I have watched myself win over entire rooms full of people that did not show up to see me play, and I have done this in rooms all over the country.

This is just a song. It does not change anything, immediately. I hesitate to sell this one. I would prefer for people just to listen, as I have listened to the stories of Mike and Julie, and countless other friends.

It can easily be ignored as well. The choice is yours. It always has been.

It is available to stream on all the streaming services, as of now:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/want-live-in-2025

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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And It Stoned Me

I first heard this song from two girls I had an early morning class with in high school. They were smoking a joint in their parked car, as I was passing by, minding my own business.

They invited me in, and this was the song they were listening to.

In other news, my cat is just chillin' right under my headstock—the whole song. Her name is Qi'ra. Feel free to say hi!

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Simple

Simple

Words and Music by Me

I know that I am simple

Perhaps the butt of jokes

The swishing tails of bovine

Two by two in yoke

Pulling the plow is good

I’m happy to be of use

I wasn’t always docile

A call to help refused

If you look into my eyes

You may see they’re soft

You may see into my heart

As I’m drinking from the trough

My sharp edges dull

In head and horn alike

How may I be of service

To the people in this life?

I know that I am simple

It was here I found my mirth

The light of sun was clouded

By earthly things and worth

To sew the seeds in Spring

To harvest in the Fall

To laugh when things are funny

To answer when people call

If you look into my eyes

You may see they’re soft

You may see into my heart

As I’m drinking from the trough

My sharp edges dull

In head and horn alike

How may I be of service

To the people in this life?

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Our Own Personal Rainbow

A rainbow. It requires three ingredients: moisture, sunlight, and consciousness. The latter. That is what I wish to speak about.

You may be familiar with the thought experiment “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

The rainbow is refracted light. However, it requires us to be seen. It requires an observer to be noticed in the fashion which I describe.

Scientifically, sunlight is being refracted through rain drops or mist or other such moisture, however, it is the observer who creates the rainbow. Without us observing it, there is no rainbow: there is just rain, and sunlight.

And, when you and I are standing next to each other, admiring that beautiful arc of color in sky, we do not see the same rainbow. It will be unique for either of us, depending on the location at which we are standing, relative to that phenomenon that appears to us in the sky.

A beautiful ghostly image, that disappears the moment we stop paying attention to it, or when the sun is obscured, or when it stops precipitating: whichever of those three come first.

Our own personal rainbow—and this notion, when understood, applies to much more than rainbows. 🌈

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Good Morning

I try my best to go on these morning walks.

Sometimes I just think. Sometimes I listen to music. Sometimes I write. Sometimes I listen to podcasts and audio books or whatever else seems nourishing.

This morning I was listening to an idea that John Archibald Wheeler, theoretical physicist, had in regard to The Universe.

Him and several other Physicists saw that we are active participants in what we perceive as reality. The Universe is dreaming us up, just as we are dreaming up our own existence by everything we say, think, touch, and feel.

I like this idea. It is the basis of Quantum Theories and the computers being built right now with qubits. Possibilities. Infinite possibilities. A cloud of possibilities with one manifestation at the present moment, determined by the duality of these two dreamers, dreaming at the same time with each other.

But in real world terms, it can be as simple as saying good morning to the person you pass by on a morning walk, or as complicated as believing you can make a difference in this world. You do regardless.

Think about it. And Good Morning by the way.

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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A Coyote

If this song were a cocktail, it might take you somewhere—and it would also be crafted from some fine ingredients.

One Mark Twain—specifically "Roughing It". One tablespoon of Eddy Arnold The Cattle Call. A dash of nostalgia. Several shakes traveling  out and about's, to and fro, hither and thither.

A pandemic. I forgot about that too.

Other stuff.

Sip it though.

I would write out the lyrics, but that would negate all the time spent inserting the lyrics above. You're going to have to experience it in real time—not at the speed of read.

Not at all is also an option (that being my least favorite).

Any hoo.

xoxo

M

Available to stream everywhere:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/coyote

Coyote

words and music by Michael Patrick Vitale

Vocals, Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Upright Bass, Wood Blocks - Mike Vitale

Drums - Evan Stone

Background Vocals - Anastasia Flionis

Produced by Mike Vitale

Engineered by Mike Vitale, Evan Stone and Anastasia Flionis

Mixed by Ryan Lipman

Mastered by Mark Alan Miller

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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I’m sorry, I don’t believe in sentences.

I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine, however, I can’t—for two-fold reason: he’s dead—and I never knew him in-person.

I found him on a book shelf in Portland on accident.

He is just my speed though, with titles to books, such as “What is the name of this book?” and “The Tao is Silent.”

His name is Raymond M. Smullyan. He strikes me as a ball of creativity, never destined to be at rest on a flat surface. He could tip the world even in his absence. A mind that’s always moving something, if not me and my sense of humor.

If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is. He could do that too: magic I mean. Illusions.

He was an advanced mathematician. Polyglot. Loved puzzles, to the point of being a Logician. And to boot, he was a musician.

He’s over my head. Sometimes he’s in my head, and I’m like “get out of my head” but without the quotation marks because that was in my head.

I’m trying to say that I like him and I’m happy he took the time to share his thoughts with others, such as myself. Maybe you might enjoy him too.

I leave you with his thoughts:

“I’m sorry, I don’t believe in sentences.”

And

“I have free will, but not of my own choice. I have never freely chosen to have free will. I have to have free will, whether I like it or not!”

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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The Incredible Shrinking Brain

Humans have a stellar track record of being both absent and horrid to one another. We take advantage of those with less. We treat others as inferiors. Hurt people, they hurt people.

We criticize the intelligence of those who disagree with our own notions of what it is to be human, alive, and unique. We incite. We cross boundaries.

Discrimination, which then leads to Reverse-Discrimination.

Slavery. Coal Mines. Company Stores. We use. We exploit natural resources, and people alike.

Bigoted. Arrogant. Prejudice.

Angry.

Creed.

Creed is unique from religious belief. It is the public and outspoken form of religious belief. Often times, also crossing boundaries. Inciting war.

For such a young species, we know so little in the broader scheme of existence—and we exercise our limited knowledge with certainty, regardless.

We need humility. What I know is dwarfed by that which I don't know.

What am I advocating for?

For each and every one of us to be present and in the moment as often as possible, and in order to achieve that, we all must know ourselves, and in order to know ourselves, we must work inward from our Ego, to our true Self. Carl Gustav Jung called it Individuation. Taoists call it, The Way. I call it a lifetime of work and effort to be the best version of myself. Authentic, confident, positive, receptive, patient, open-minded, and kind. That starts with you and me and everyone on an individual basis, and there is no mastery. There is just trying to be present.

"Anger and hatred are caustic to the vessel in which it's stored, far more than to anything on which it's poured."

If you don't know why you are so angry and why you hate—you can know. It is a matter of truly searching the inner world of you. I have done so myself, and I have spent tremendous amounts of time by myself, exercising these very notions, and writing these very songs.

That is why the first verse of this tune is a criticism of me. I will start with me. The rest of the song is about society, for which I am a part of too.

I am pointing out an issue I see in society and me. I am also providing a solution, as well as a song to shake your ass to.

I find happiness in making art and connecting with people and telling stories and traveling the country. Writing these songs. They are an inner journey. Those who create, know what I mean. It is profound. I want and wish for all people to experience what I have in my lifetimes as a creator.

I care about us. I care about you. I care about how we treat each other, and how we mistreat each other. Most importantly, I want to see change in my lifetime.

What is the change? People that are happy.

You don't find happiness or God or Self in material goods and wealth. Jesus actually preached that very notion as well, and I agree (and I'm not Christian). You find happiness within, by searching for it and listening to your inner voice. That in itself is a journey and I wish you well traveler.

Happiness is also fleeting and is never constant. It must be that way or else you would have nothing to compare it against.

When you find happiness, the light and true purpose inside of you: you are present often, and you radiate this for all to see.

I found a great deal of happiness on the road the past few years. It made the release of singles, difficult however. Tonight, I am trying again, because it makes me happy. Thank you for listening and reading. I am thankful.

released September 13th 2024

Vocals, Rhythm Electric Guitar, Synthesizers, Moog Mini, Fender Rhodes Piano, Mellotron:  Mike Vitale

Drums:  Tamir Barzilay

Bass:  Paul Jones

Electric Guitar:  Molly Miller

Produced by Mike Vitale

Engineered by Mike Vitale, Tamir Barzilay, Paul Jones, and Molly Miller

Mixed by Ryan Lipman

Mastered by Mark Alan Miller

You can listen to this on your favorite streaming service, by following this link:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/the-incredible-shrinking-brain

Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/mikevitalemusic

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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The Curious Case of Phineas Gage and His Brain

Phineas Gage was a demolition foreman for the Rutland and Burlington Railroad in the year 1847.

His job was to blow things up—specifically, that which was in the way of building a pair of railroad tracks. This could be all sorts of things. Mountainside, Felsenmeer, Stone, Boulders, and so forth.

But in those days, when you wanted to blow things up, you didn't have dynamite, because it hadn't been invented yet.

Nitroglycerine, which led to dynamite, was still about 25 years away.

So, when you needed to get rid of what was in front of you, one would drill enormously deep holes in the above mentioned, fill it with gunpowder, run a fuse, pack the remainder of the hole with sand to buffer the charge, light the fuse, and then run like hell.

This was Phineas' job... that is, until one day, he forgot to do one of these ingredients—and that's where this song comes in.

This is called The Curious Case of Phineas Gage and His Brain. Most medical students are familiar with this story. However, since I never studied medicine or psychology in college, I have Conan O'Brien and Bill Hader to thank for this story. Thank you both. I had a great time writing this.

The Curious Case of Phineas Gage and his Brain

words and music by Michael Patrick Vitale

Phineas Gage cleared the felsenmeer and stone to level the ground

He was a detonation foreman for the

Rutland and Burlington Railway, westbound

He drilled holes deep into mounds of boulders and stone and rocky terrain

Before he filled them up with gun powder, fuse, and sand to buffer the charge and keep it contained

And in all those years of such a dangerous profession

I wonder if it ever crossed his mind to exercise discretion

he’d just tamp down the goods with a rod, ingredients primed

But he forgot to buffer the charge with sand this time

Phineas

Oh Phineas

Oh what have you done?

That one meter iron rod

Shot out like a gun

And Lord knows you ducked your head

To get out of its way

But almost only counts

In horseshoes and hand grenades

Phineas

Oh Phineas

How are you still standing?

You’re a miracle of science

You defy understanding

Because Phineas my friend

You’ve got a great big hole in your head

Phineas looks around with a “what’s a matter” wrinkled brow

As his eyes dart around in his head

And his growing audience responds that the brain matter from your head

Is strewn about and I don’t know: you’re not dead

Workers and foreman shout for a physician

And while it seems unique for Phineas to be in such a position

It’s recommended that he take the rest of the day off on account

That his insides are outside and that alone seems like a lot to surmount

Phineas

Oh Phineas

Oh what have you done?

That one meter iron rod

Shot out like a gun

And Lord knows you ducked your head

To get out of its way

But almost only counts

In horseshoes and hand grenades

Oh Phineas

Oh Phineas

How are you still standing?

You’re a miracle of science

You defy understanding

Because Phineas my friend

You’ve got a great big hole in your head

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Rare Bird and the Roman Genius

I wrote the vast majority of this song while I was touring last year. I was in Portland, Oregon at the time, staying at my friend David Greco's house. David is a singer-songwriter himself. A very talented one.

I met him in Los Angeles, at a songwriter night when I first moved to LA. He was living in Los Angeles, at that time, but was originally from Portland and moved back there with his wife, shortly after we met.

Him and his wife are incredibly kind and fun and smart and artistic. Both of them read incessantly and their house is just covered in book shelves and literature of all varieties. A television is nowhere to be seen.

I had made a trip to Powell's Book Store a bit earlier that morning (which a marvel of a place in Portland) and came back to their place to take a crack at writing.

As I sat at their kitchen table, writing: either one of them might stop for a second as they passed by to ask how the song was coming along, might stop to listen if invited.

Earlier on we had been talking about books either of us were reading and she keenly noticed that the title from the book she was reading had ended up in my chorus.

"We are remarkable brightness of creature".

I'm a sponge—or maybe that is the wrong way of looking at it. Perhaps I'm like a collage. If one were in mean spirits: perhaps I paint by numbers.

When I showed it to David, he said that it reminded him of Rufus Wainwright. I can see that. I love Rufus and his music. I used to listen to his first two albums a lot, many years ago. He was working with all the music producers I loved: Pierre Marchant for "Poses" and Jon Brion for his self-titled. I hadn't listened to Rufus for probably—15 years or so. Yet, I would say that is a very viable explanation to where I could have listened to much music reminiscent of Judy Garland and all the amazing songwriters of her generation. Beyond compare. Masters of the craft.

Even as the writer, I have no idea where this stuff comes from precisely, in terms of an origin, aside from the most obvious explanation of non-executive functionality to the human psyche.

I don't try to sound like anyone but me. I just write. I hadn't been listening to any music that sounded anything like what I was writing here in the moment. It is like that for every song that I write. My brain tends to do the opposite of whatever I am currently taking in.

It's like magic. It feels like the song comes from somewhere special that is deep, dark, and mysterious. A little dangerous, but also sacred.

The Unconscious. The subconscious. Whichever you prefer. It's not conscious. That's the point.

The older I get, the more I want everything that I make, to come from this place. Perhaps they all do. I'm not certain.

More importantly, I want everyone to make something special, even if it is just special to themselves. I feel the most alive when I am creating, I want everyone to experience that feeling. It feels—incredible. Rare.

We all are incredible and rare. It can be said without a doubt, that we are all part of the same genus. However, it's the subjective nature of our being, that puts the I in that word.

Genius.

It comes from Latin. The Romans believed that there was a guiding spirit that accompanies you from birth to death. They called this spirit Genius. This spirit would help you to be the best version of yourself, to create, and to guide you on your path until the moment you left this mortal coil.

By the 15th century Middle English, it meant traits that define you as a person.

By the 17th century—it meant someone that is exceptional.

I don't mention any of this because I think I'm exceptional.

I saw exceptional last night. They were on stage together, being themselves.

I wish I would have filmed them on camera. It always seems to spoil the moment though, and my enjoyment of it—so I just took it in, instead.

I moved to Los Angeles, to bear witness to that. It is the sort of place that can quickly remind you that there are exceptional people in the world. To remind that there are pinnacles to achieve yet still, far beyond what is currently on hand.

I'm the most interested in the origin of the word genius. I'm interested in the folklore of its origin. This spirit. The Genius the Romans believed in. A mediator between God and Self.

I'm also interested in the notion of Genus and Genius being separated by one small vowel, that also just happens to represent our own inherent uniqueness.

I

Regardless of all this nonsense that I spout about—Rare Bird is a celebration of the unlocking of a door that resides within every human. Behind that door, there is adventure, dragons, a journey, a purpose, and long forgotten events, amongst so much else that is ripe with mystery. Perhaps I visit this space much like I do Portland and my friends there. A constellation, inside and outside of my being.

It's also, just a bunch of words over some music. I listened to 50 seconds of it, and it sounds nice. It's a lot of things to a lot of people. Nothing to no one. Maybe everything between too.

It's time for a walk. Thanks for reading me.

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead

Authenticity. We crave it so much.

We are sold the opposite. Not just in products, or on a television screen, or in a movie theater, or in a grocery store, or on a social media site by an influencer.

We are complicated creatures. Simultaneously wanting nothing shorts of perfection, while so desperately thinking that we need some sort of approval or validation—but it's just really love. That's all we want. Just to be loved for who we are. Nothing needs to be changed.

I was live streaming the other day and someone requested this song. I had forgotten how incredible this piece of music is. It made well up in tears listening back to it.

Mics Used:

Shure SM7 - Vocals

Audio Technica AT4033 - Guitar

Guitar:

Martin D-3R

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Graceland by Paul Simon

The first time I ever listened to this album was on my very first tour.

Not a fancy tour. It was a tour out of my car.

My girlfriend at the time, burnt it onto a CD for me to listen to.

One of several: tours, and several CD’s to listen to. I love this song a lot. I love this whole album. Thanks Katie.

Mics Used:

Shure SM7 - Vocals

Audio Technica AT4033 - Guitar

Guitar: Martin D3R

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Rare Bird

This my latest song that I have completed writing. It’s called Rare Bird.

It’s a gift for you.

I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking about the amount of suffering on this planet that people experience. While not all problems stem from here, I feel that a great deal of issue arises from people not feeling beautiful and unique. On the inside I mean. Not the outside.

I have seen this first hand in friends who have taken their own life as I have gotten older. Artists and good folk of all walks.

I wrote this song, in first person, to remind you how beautiful and special you are, in case you ever feel like you’re not, becauae you are. Through and through.

Rare Bird

By me

I am the rarest of bird

Friendly and forthright, then taciturn

Singing melodies I swear I’ve never heard

Unconsciously chauffeured

I’m a rare bird

I’m like action in hand

Reaching for something thoughts didn’t command

Certifiably absurd, or so I’ve heard

Unconsciously chauffeured

I’m a rare bird

We are remarkable brightness of creature

Mysterious ways and colorful features

Idiots and sages

Paradoxial phrases

And mazes of every kind

I could be slight of hand

There was a bird who sang

Yet it vanished again

I could roll up my sleeves

Or repeat the prestige that just occurred

Then again

I’m a rare bird

We are remarkable brightness of creature

Mysterious ways and colorful features

Idiots and sages

Paradoxial phrases

And mazes of every kind

I am the rarest of bird

Friendly and forthright, then taciturn

Singing melodies I swear I’ve never heard

Unconsciously chauffeured

I’m a rare bird

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Wagon Wheel by Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor

Somewhere along the line, I feel like someone told me that half of this song is an unfinished tune written by Bob Dylan. That wouldn't surprise me were it true. Do you know? It's an internet search away, I suppose.

Either way, this song was made very popular by Old Crow Medicine Show, followed later by Darius Rucker.

Okay, I looked it up. Yeah, that is true: Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor co-wrote it. I'm happy to give it stab myself. This tune is fun to play. I get a little crispy playing it on occasion, but it's always fun again later.

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Time Machine (Live in 2025) Streaming February 14th 2025

Music is an art form that I will never master. There is just too much to learn.

That’s what I like about it though. I want it to be an endless bevy of secret sweet gifts, for as long as I can sing and play and hear.

I’ve recorded several versions of this song. There has always been a person between myself and the final version. This is the first time I have ever been able to be proud of the the performance, and the engineering, and the mixing, and the mastering. I first got Pro-Tools around 2005. I’m on Logic now, and it’s been twenty years of teaching myself how to do all of these things.

I’m getting older, and I’m smiling as I’m saying it. I like getting older.

I grow a little softer every year. Less sharp edges to me. I’ve learned a lot from trying my ass off to learn as much as I can, while I’m here on this organic space vessel we call Earth.

At any rate, I’m releasing the audio to all the streaming services on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14th 2025.

In the meanwhile, it's available to listen to on YouTube:

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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A Time Machine in 2025

John Archibald Wheeler has this theory that all time is happening at the same time. He was a theoretical physicist. A very famous one.

2025 has just started. I wrote this several years ago while I was living in Long Beach, sharing an apartment with my roommate Chris. The spirit of that moment was captured today. It’s like a photograph. An auditory snapshot. Memories are like that.

Imperfect, just like their creator. Memories I mean. Humans too.

These are my memories. A lot of my songs are. Memories of playing legos with my brothers. Playing with R/C Cars. Being Indiana Jones or defeating an alien invasion from another galaxy.

“And all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be.”

Memories have changed my mood. They have changed my outlook. Memories are so powerful.

This is just a song. It's also my life and memories and heart and soul. Do what you will with it. It took a long time to get to this, and you know that too. I tip my hat to my fellow time traveler. Safe travels.

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Karma Police

This is a cover of Karma Police by Radiohead. May we all be so blessed to write a song as cool as this. I would be a very happy person, had I ever. In the meanwhile, I'm happy to borrow their good fortune as my own.

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Want | 2025 NPR Tiny Desk Contest

There is not a soul on this planet who isn't in want or need of something. It could be as simple as a glass of water, or as necessary as a hug from someone who cares.

I made this with a few friends in mind. They don't exactly have an address, but they live in my neighborhood. Really, it's for everyone. It's about all of us. It's always been, just about all of us.

I had the privilege of playing this one out at the Kerrville Folk Festival last year. I thought I'd try fleshing it out a bit with an arrangement. It's the one that's been rattling around in my heart and tugging a few tears down my cheeks. I'll put it on the streaming services too. Pinky swear. I submitted this to the NPR Tiny Desk Contest. Wish me luck or just listen. Just listening means a lot to me.

The help did too. Thank you to everyone who has been contributing on GoFundMe. I am humbled and thankful to be creating.

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Jambalaya (On the Bayou) | Hank Williams

I made this for Petra. She is a very nice person I met on YouTube and she lives in Austria. I think that's pretty incredible that people can connect in 2025 from such an extreme distance. She loves Americana and Blues and music of the older variety. She probably loves a swath of music I imagine—however, I wanted to say thank you for being so cool as to hang out and listen.

Human connection is a beautiful thing. I am thankful for it. Especially from a distance...

Speaking of which: my friends Devon Teran on Pedal Steel and Riley on bass, all the way from Kansas City, Kansas! Thanks guys! This made my day to mix.

I'm also thankful for Hank Williams. Holy shit, what an amazing songwriter he was, and a gift to the ears.

Above all else, thank you to everyone who has been helping me on GoFundMe to get caught up. The number zero has never looked quite as beautiful to me. It felt really wonderful to record, and edit and mix and video edit and color correct this song. It felt nice to hear from Petra this morning, for her to say that this made her happy. Wow. That brings me a joy that I can’t quite capture in essence, however, I hope this is a good start.

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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Mike's Career, Car, and Home at Risk: Lend a Hand

This is my fourth or fifth attempt at doing this today. Why you may ask?

Because I am beyond embarrassed…

I have wanted for nothing more in my life, then to create and play music and connect with other people.

It has been a dream come true driving around the United States and making new friends and performing for folks from all walks of life. I am humbled and honored to have had this privilege.

The reality of my situation though as a touring musician:

I have put an extensive amount of mileage on my car. The timing belt became a notion of something that needs to be changed in my car when I got to around 120,000 miles last year. That is easily an $800 to $1,000 repair, as a lot of car parts need to be removed to reach the timing belt, which unfortunately is made of rubber in V6 engines, and not a metal chain timing belt like four-cylinder engines. No one wants a timing belt to go out when so far away from home. It causes irreparable damage to the engine, especially when in motion as it happens.

So, I was planning on not touring as much in 2025, because of this. $1,000 is a lot of money to me. I was exploring the option of trying to change it myself, buying the part and using Youtube to fix it like I do most other issues and repairs, not car related.

However, things have gotten worse for me.

When I took my car in for a tire rotation and oil change around mid-December, I was told that my car has serious suspension issues that will cause my brand new tires to wear in sporadic spots (I had a tire blow out in late 2023 in Texas). They refused to do the tire rotation, and quoted me $3,000 plus, to do the repair work on my Suspension and Shocks.

Okay.

However, things have been worse beyond this yet still, and this is in addition to the added uncertainty caused by the Wild Fires in Los Angeles, which is where I live.

I am two and a half months behind on rent.

Also, I owe nearly $2,000 to LADWP which is Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

I have a company that I did a bunch of work for back in October of 2024, that owes me a significant amount of money, but I can’t seem to get this money from them, let alone an email response. I have been writing and communicating with the recruiter who brought me on to their booking agency, and that has been my only line of communication with the company. This issue, in itself, is so convoluted that it makes me sick to my stomach. My liaison did inform me today that the company is sending me $360 from that significant chunk of money. Nonetheless, its been three months now of waiting for those funds.

My landlord wrote me today that he needs to get this $2,250 I owe him ASAP, and I owe him another $950 as soon as February comes around.

I am also two months behind on nearly every bill I have that is not credit card or auto insurance related: phone bill, cable bill, car payment.

My monthly Car Payment is $464.

I am in dire straits.

My initial reaction was to fold into myself today and cry.

I deserve everything that comes to me. All of this is my doing.

It doesn’t matter how hard I work, how well I book, how often I contract, how many miles I drive, how many times I setup and breakdown a PA system, how many new skills I learn, how well I promote myself, how many lives I affect, how many shows I play, how many videos I make, how much music I write; record; and mix, how many covers I post, how well executed my release strategies are, how much I communicate on social media, how many festivals or conferences I attend, how many emails I write, how many doors I knock on… everything costs money, my pay stays the same, and cost inflates—and the bill always comes due.

This is going to sound insane:

On the flip side, I have never been happier in my life, than I am right now, creating every single day.

I have been at home for the most part given both, my financial situation, and the scarcity of work during the winter as a performing artist.

However, I have been trying to make the most of the time

Starting in the Fall of last year, I resolved to create high quality videos of me performing covers, to sell myself to clients for new cover gigs for the Winter months. I started to canvas Southern California with these new videos, writing emails to local businesses: Temecula Wine Country, Inland Empire, Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County—I am reaching out to as many new places as I can find.

Simultaneously, I had been posting each of these efforts to Youtube as I make them. I even started chopping them up into tiny pieces, making them vertical videos, and posting those to Youtube Shorts.

Much to my utter surprise, each of these videos kept attracting more and more and more attention from people on Youtube. So, I doubled my efforts further. Even more people began to engage and like the things that I was was posting. My Subscriber count went from around 1,200 people to 1,400 to 1,600, to 1,800.

Just now, it reached 2,000 subscribers as I am writing this. I’ve gained nearly 800 subscribers in the past few months.

I can’t help but see optimism in every video I have been posting to Youtube.

I see that something I create or have already created, can and will reach a lot of people—one day very soon. I see this in real world metrics and statistics on the backend of Youtube.

However, I am quickly running out of time, especially when it comes to having a roof over my head, a car to drive (and repair), and power and water. Despite my best efforts, most of my work that I have been getting is down in San Diego, Carlsbad, or Southern Orange County. They are low paying and the gas used to get there and back, eats into my profit margin further.

As proud, humiliated, and fiercely independent as I may be—there is no other way out of this. I need your help.

I created a GoFundMe Campaign yesterday and last night after consulting with my friend Susan who has hosted me out in Ann Arbor, Michigan the last two years to perform. Here is a link to the GoFundMe Campaign:

https://gofund.me/0d1d637b

Any money raised from this effort, will be used to try and make a small dent in what I have listed above.

For those willing to contribute and to those unable to contribute, I will perform a daily Live Stream on Youtube in Vertical Format, 1080p HD and high quality audio, at 11AM PST Monday through Sunday starting today January 15th 2025 all the way through the month of January.

So, even if you are unable to tune in during the week, there will be options on the weekend as well.

Here is the link to watch my Youtube Live Streams either from your phone or tablet browser or Television, in the Youtube App, or on a home computer:

YouTube Live Stream Link

You can also visit my Youtube Profile and click on the "Live" Tab. Here is a link to the channel:

YouTube Channel

The Live Stream I performed recently on Saturday January 11th felt like magic to me. All of my live streams are archived under the "Live" Tab.

If you are unable to attend any live streams, I can also provide you downloads of any of my albums that you might wish to own.

I want to be useful to you—please let me know what I can do to be useful to you. I can write a song for you, record it, and mix it. What can I do for you?