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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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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Breathe (In the Air) | Pink Floyd

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.

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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Between the Bars | Elliott Smith

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”.

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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Crazy Love | Van Morrison

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.

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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Chan Chan | Buena Vista Social Club | Compay Segundo

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

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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Lay Lady Lay

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

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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