Jambalaya (On the Bayou) | Hank Williams

January 19, 2025 by Mike Vitale in Cover Song, Good Music, Music, New Music

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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Breathe (In the Air) | Pink Floyd

January 13, 2025 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music, Cover Song

Pink Floyd was a profound influence on me growing up. My older brother Clark used to play Dark Side of the Moon while my parents would be away. He would have it up loud enough to hear it all over the house. It is an experience—not just music. I was fortunate enough to make a few friends in high school, that all loved this album as well, and that is when I started paying attention to the beautiful lyrics written by Roger Waters. He calls them "a little adolescent and naïve in its preoccupations, but I'm not belittling it. It's like a rather wonderful, naïve painting."

I would be willing to argue they are not naive in their preoccupations. Breathing. It is the very first thing we learn to do in this life, once we emerge from a very warm and dark place for the first time. It is the control of our own perturbations—meditation.

I humbly offer my heart to you through this song. What a blessing it was to make this yesterday. The Los Angeles wildfires are burning all around me. I had to find a quiet take for this song, as there were helicopters and planes audibly dropping much needed extinguishers all over these burning wildfires. I live in Eagle Rock which is very close to where the Eaton Fires are burning. Thank you to all the brave men and women who are working day and night to allow me the opportunity to continue doing this: making music and trying to connect with others—and to breathe—to breathe in the air.

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Between the Bars | Elliott Smith

January 10, 2025 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music

So far so good. I’m safe and making music.

My heart goes out to everyone who has not been as fortunate. Thank you to all the fire fighters who have been working night and day to keep homes and businesses and art and museums from burning.

I was staring at my wall the other day—for quite a long time—it was because I had no electricity… and I was reminded of an old friend.

I have an Origami Paper Crane Painting that my friend Travis gave me.

I love it Travis. Thank you. Miss you brother.

As he gave it to me one night in Santa Monica, he told me that he hated the painting and that I should have it.

I stare at it every day now because it hangs on my living room wall.

Travis died from liver failure. He was an alcoholic. He was a joy. He was also a pain in the ass on occasion. I loved him both ways.

This song is dedicated to him. It’s by Elliott Smith. It’s called “Between the Bars”.

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Crazy Love | Van Morrison

January 07, 2025 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music

I was trying my very best to capture a good audio picture of this song. I love using condenser mics—but they are very sensitive to sound, and my neighborhood is loud. Helicopters. People peeling out in frustration. Honking horns. Children from the daycare center next door to me. You name it.

Some how… miraculously, I found a very narrow window, and tracked this. I hope it has its moments.

Crazy Love by Van the man.

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I Had a Dream with Sharp Teeth

January 03, 2025 by Mike Vitale in Dreams, Music, New Music

This is my first single of the year. It came out today, Friday January 3rd 2025 on the normal haunts. It's called "I Had a Dream with Sharp Teeth."

It’s about being afraid of the dark when I was wee little. Around 4 or 5 years old.

I wrote the song a long time ago. It’s was probably 12 to 15 years ago. May it resonate with someone out there, even if I am shouting into the dark (winky face).

My friend Geoff Pearlman produced this song with me. We had a lot of fun making it.

Thanks for stopping by and checking it out.

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Chan Chan | Buena Vista Social Club | Compay Segundo

December 31, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music

I made this yesterday. It’s a cover of the Buena Vista Social Club song “Chan Chan” written by the incredible Compay Segundo.

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Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

December 28, 2024 by Mike Vitale in New Music, Music

Picture yourself in a boat on a river…

What a great opening line for a song. The harmony is spectacular, as well as the melodic acrobatics between these interesting chord changes and lyrical prowess.

A friend of mine told me once that The Beatles never repeated themselves when it came to song form. Ever.

That is commitment to a craft.

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The Christmas Song | Robert Wells & Mel Torme | Nat King Cole

December 20, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Music, Love, New Music, Christmas Music

Robert Wells and Mel Torme wrote this song. This is my favorite. Hands down. Nat King Cole smashed my face with it. Damn! I love these people. I love this song. I love you! Thanks fur listening.

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My Acoustic Album EMPTY CIRCLE comes to all streaming services on Friday December 13th 2024

December 07, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music

My acoustic album EMPTY CIRCLE is coming to streaming services soon. It should be up by next Friday December 13th. It is currently exclusively available on Bandcamp for purchase. It just so happens to be bandcamp Friday today and all proceeds go to us artists if you’d like to support us.

Also, my next single I HAD A DREAM WITH SHARP TEETH, comes out on Friday January 3rd of 2025. Pre-saves through Spotify are always welcome if you fancy doing such. Click the album cover below to Pre-Save. I’ll make a separate post about this soon.

I had a Dream with Sharp Teeth by Mike Vitale

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The Nerve

November 24, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Life, Music, Love, New Music

There is a very clear picture of a time in my life where new horizons and opportunities and friends adorn a furnished and well-loved room in my heart.

Many years ago, in another chapter of my life, a friend of mine said the words “parallel lives” which is true. He had made many friends over the years, in many places. I hadn’t seen him in quite a long time, and I apologized for my absence from his life, to which he replied those words.

Parallel lives.

I am much older now, than I was when he first said those words to me. I was a pup. I was in my early twenties.

This song, like my memories, are a strange and imperfect time capsule. I can still feel this empty space in my chest, something I felt a lot in that time of my life, as I listen to this song.

Late night dive bars with cheap drinks. Hangovers. Playing music crisscross apple sauce on the floor. Open mics. House parties. Helping a friend move their piano upstairs. Writing music. Going to shows. Trying to make new friends.

I made new friends. It was good. It is good.

Parallel lives but it still occupies this room in my heart.

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Have I Ever Told You About the Time I Ran Away From Home in Second Grade Because I Wanted to be a Werewolf??

November 19, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music, Life

Have I ever told you about the time I ran away from home in second grade because I wanted to be a werewolf?

It's true.

And maybe regrettably, this wasn't a cute I'll-run-away-to-my-backyard-sort-of affair.

No—this was a we-got-picked-up-by-the-cops-sort-of evening. That's right. A lot of my extended family were at the house when the cop brought me home.

I took my best friend Brandon Kite along with me, and by the power invested in his mom and dad: we were never allowed to hang out together again.

Brandon and I got picked up on one of the last major thoroughfares, Lovers Lane, close to dusk. We left around 4am or 5am, in the wee hours of the morning.

Also, werewolf? Yeah. I was going through a Michael J. Fox renaissance.

I had been doing deep research on how to become a werewolf after watching Teen Wolf, upwards of hundreds of times. This was typical fashion for me at that age I think.

I even remember being sent to a child psychologist at school in the weeks following this event. As far as I was concerned, at the time, it was no bother. We would leave the normal class in exchange for a room full of toys, and a person who would ask me a question every once in a while.

I never bothered explaining any of this to my parents—why I tried to leave at 4am in the morning, when I was younger.

I had this realization one day while I was sitting in my living room. So, I made this song as a Christmas gift to my mom and dad.

I love you both, and I'm sorry. I'm just a whimsical kid.

I had a lot of fun making this yesterday and this morning.

How are you doing today? Feel free to comment below and to let me know. My desire is that this finds you in good spirits. Thank you for being here.

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Lay Lady Lay

November 16, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music

I got lost in making this yesterday. It’s a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay.”

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As It Was by Harry Styles

November 05, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Music, New Music

Hey Friends. I'm back home from touring and doing my best to make stuff. As of late, I've been having fun creating my own arrangements of pop songs and traditional music.

I've been spending the past couple of days messing around with an arrangement of this song—and I think I landed on something that made me feel good today, so I thought I would share.

This is a solo acoustic take on the beautiful song by Harry Styles, As It Was. Link above and below:

https://youtu.be/mRDWKLjZGQM

Thanks for listening and may this find you in high and positive spirits.

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Dandelion Seeds is Now Live on All Streaming Services

June 28, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Good Music, Music, New Music

Artists. Lovers. Humans. We are all dandelion seeds in the wind. This is my latest single. It is now available to stream everywhere music is streamed.

Here is a link to find it on your preferred streaming service:

https://songwhip.com/mikevitale/dandelion-seeds

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, singer, songwriter, 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 Chair—and a Tour

June 05, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Live Show, Life, Good Music, Music, New Music, Photos

“If a chair were a pedometer, it might be lousy at its job—or maybe it wouldn’t have one—and if it were just a chair, it can be fun to sit in.”

I’m working on my aspirational quotes. I was figuring the internet needs more of those.

The internet also needs to know me touring using bad grammar, with pictures courtesy of the sorceress supreme Mushka @lightstonpix

June 5 - Songwriters at Play at Humdinger Brewing - San Luis Obispo, CA

June 8 - Santa Cruz House Concert w/ Echoes and Artifacts - Santa Cruz, CA

June 9th - Secret Song Club - Sebastopol, CA

June 12 - La Baguette Music Cafe - Ashland, OR

June 14 - Levy & Stone House Concert - Portland, OR

June 15 - Backyard at the Barage - Vancouver, WA

June 16 - Spinellas Off the Wall - Gresham, OR

June 18 - Artichoke Music - Portland, OR

June 21 - Quarterdeck at the De Moines Marina - Des Moines, WA

June 29th - Teton’s Shadow and Sound - Victor, ID

June 30th - Fresh Folk Festival at Clydesdale Outpost

I’m under the influence of my ventriloquist’s wishes.

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Two Shows in Southern California Before I Hit the Road Again

June 01, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Live Show, Good Music, New Music, Music

What up party people. I’ve got two shows in Southern California before I hit the road again for the month of June on my Spring Tour on the United States, through California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.

The first show is this Sunday June 2nd in my home away from home, Long Beach, California playing at Vine on 4th Street with my buddies Brenda Carsey and Manuel the Band. That is from 4pm to 7pm, followed swiftly by more friends, Alyssandra Nighswonger and R. Scott performing from 7pm to 10pm. All of this goodness is free and 21 plus

The second show is in Hollywood, California playing at The Hotel Cafe with Aaron Bowen and Jesus Gonzalez coming up from San Diego, California as Marc Erickson, my fellow Angeleno.

Tickets are available in advance and are ten bucks:

https://new.hotelcafe.com/event/mike-vitale-aaron-bowen-jesus-gonzalez-and-marc-erickson/

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The Kickstarter Campaign is 22% closer towards Success!

May 19, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Life, Dreams, New Music, Music

We are at 29 backers on Kickstarter as I write this.

22% of the project is funded, with a goal of $25,000.

The current amount raised is $5,394, which I am so thankful for. The campaign ends in seven days on Sunday May 26th at 9:15PM PST . If we do not meet the goal of $25,000, I get nothing.

My friend Matt is stellar, and signed up for the $2,000 tier to host a house concert at his place in Michigan. I met him just a few months ago while playing in Nashville, Tennessee at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge. You are such a blessing my brother. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Speaking of thank you’s…

Thank you to Rudolph Finamore for joining the $750 songwriting tier along with Derek Horne! What a blessing. I met both of these Gentlemen when I was living in Fullerton, CA playing a weekly Wednesday night show at Plush Cafe. I built my first fanbase there. I am fortunate to have you both in my life. My gratitude.

My cousin Mia Whiting Thompson is extraordinary, along with my cousins Bob Whiting and Helen Terrell Whiting, all three of which signed up for the Autographed Vinyl and T-Shirt tier at $100.

My friend Nicole signed up for a $25 pledge, along with my friend Jeanine who pledged $50 for the Desert Dog T-Shirt and digital download.

Here is a link to pledge if you are interested in doing such:

http://kck.st/44seqP8

Please know, your pledges do not need to be so large. Anything and everything helps to get to such a large goal. It all amounts to success. I believe in this. I want you too as well. It is amazing what can be accomplished, together.

I am leaving for the Kerrville Folk Festival to perform on Thursday May 23rd and will be there in Texas when the campaign ends, next Sunday May 26th. Fingers crossed.

This is a video I made, discussing the Kickstarter campaign in more detail, including what it is going towards and the reason why I am asking for such a substantial sum of capital to invest in my business:

A special thank you to everyone who has pledged:

Devon, Nicolassa, Dustin, Ruth, Dane, Geoff, Taylor, Don, Jonny, Michael, David, Bob & Helen, Derek, Laura, Jeff, Heather, John, Jeremy, Vince, Devan, Sigi, Susan, Matt, Tesh, and Christine.

I am a very lucky person. Thank you for being in my constellation and for allowing me to be in yours.

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The Puzzle Now Available to Stream Everywhere

May 17, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Good Music, Music, New Music

My new single “The Puzzle” 🧩 is now live on all Streaming Services.

Link to listen: https://www.songwhip.com/mikevitale/the-puzzle

I wrote, recorded, and produced this song right as the pandemic was starting—the lockdowns had just begun.

I had just completed reading the book “Galapagos” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and this song spilled out of me in the matter of an hour. All of it. The Drums, Bass, Synthesizers, Electric Guitar parts, the lyrics, and the melody.

It’s a song about Science and Biology and Evolution and Math and Religion and Faith and the mystery of being a Conscious Creature, alive. Are all these things something we as a species made up, or are they something we found?

I wrote and performed everything on here, but I wanted to thank my friend Paul Jones for playing the bass part because his touch is incredible. I also wanted to thank Ryan Lipman for the stellar mix and Mark Alan Miller for the mastering work.

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Opus 60 No. 2 | Matteo Carcassi

May 07, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Classical Guitar, New Music, Music, Good Music

25 Melodious Studies Opus 60. No. 2 by Matteo Caracassi (1792-1853)

I managed to complete my work on Opus 60 No. 2 by Matteo Carcassi, today. The sheet music is right over yonder if you enjoy the tune and would like to play it yourself. It's a beautiful and regal piece of music and it brought me a lot of joy working on it, the past several weeks.

I looked forward to it every morning.

Now, I will look forward to a new song to read.

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THE PUZZLE is Now Available to Purchase on BANDCAMP & Arrives To Streaming Services on Friday May 17th 2024

April 18, 2024 by Mike Vitale in Good Music, Music, New Music

The world is odd and isn’t obliged to make any sense.

What are mathematics, science, and religion? Eternal discoveries, or human inventions? THE PUZZLE comes to all streaming services on Friday May 17th 2024 but is available for purchase and human consumption right this very second on BANDCAMP:

https://mikevitalemusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-puzzle

If you prefer streaming, no worries! Pre-Save the new single here on Spotify: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/the-puzzle

Here is a sample of the tune and a lyric video I have been making for it, as time allows. I filmed it with my buddy Josh in Upland, California.

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