Empty Circle by Mike Vitale

Leave it to me to forget to post this song, the day before the next single comes out.

This is the third of five singles I will be releasing consecutively, leading up the release of my full LP called ϕ

Empty Circle is one of my favorite songs on the album. It was written in retrospect to a particularly difficult portion of my life. Hindsight is 20/20, some people say. There is a deep well of truth to that notion—yet, there is also a particularly poignant lack of definitive answers to any questions we ask the mysterious 8-ball of life, or ourselves for that matter. We oscillate within the frequency of our own convictions and heart. Ever changing—sometimes instantaneously—sometimes on the plank of our own decisions at sword point on a villainous vessel of plight and circumstance.

We also just blow things out of proportion sometimes—like a balloon that doesn't quite know its own limitations—or like something just full of hot air.

It's our own reflection on the matter in hindsight, that lets us file these memories with some sort of archaic Dewey Decimal System for later study in the annals of our own life. Perhaps we can work hard to find meaning and improvement and personal growth in the library of our human experience—or we can chatter away with whomever, while the librarian inside our skull exclaims with a shoosh that we are far too loud in a sacred place of study.

Just like the little boy protagonist in this song, lost in the woods: I saw my own footprints in the snow, and became excited—only to discover that the trail of footprints were in fact, my own—I was walking in a giant circle, truly lost, cold, and all alone.

This one is called Empty Circle. You can listen to it on your favorite streaming service, here:

https://songwhip.com/mikevitale/empty-circle

As a small side note: thank you to all the wonderful people who find meaning in the tune, and have been adding it to their playlists on Spotify and so forth. I am humbled with appreciation for the gesture of sharing. I balled my eyes out writing this song. May someone find comfort in it knowing they too are not alone.

ϕ by Mike Vitale | Digital Release of Full Album on September 21st 2021

Hey Friends, I'm proud to announce that my new album will be released to all the digital streaming platforms this summer on Tuesday September 21st 2021. The album is called ϕ (phi).

If you are a Spotify user, here is a pre-save link for the new album. Supposedly, having people pre-save the album and the singles, is very helpful for getting onto Spotify playlists, which would be a boon to its reach to new ears, so to speak—so I would be honored to have you do that, should your kind heart be so inclined:

PHI
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/phi

Here is the official release schedule for every single as well as the titles being released as singles.

Tuesday August 17th 2021 - TIME MACHINE
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/time-machine

Tuesday August 24th 2021 - YOUNGER DAYS
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/younger-days

Tuesday August 31st 2021 - EMPTY CIRCLE
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/empty-circle

Tuesday September 7th 2021 - HOME
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/home

Tuesday September 14th 2021 - GONE
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/gone

Tuesday September 21st 2021 - ϕ (phi - FULL ALBUM)
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikevitale/phi

SUNDAY September 26th 2021 - FULL BAND ALBUM RELEASE SHOW at Alex's Bar in Long Beach, CA at 8pm (more details coming soon—this is bonus info for the folks kind enough to read this far into my post; thank you for caring and for loving and supporting me).

Time Machine (Live at Monika Lightstone Studios)

This is a song that I wrote about how human beings are all organic time machines, whether in regards to our ever diminishing cell division as we age, our ability to reference memories and experience them again at will, or a vivid imagination that allows us to think into the future—and write songs that make reference to all my favorite science fictions, growing up. This is also about my family, and growing up in Visalia, CA. Lyrics are listed below if you like words. I like words.

Video and Audio captured and then released back into the wild by Monika Lightstone.

Audio Mix by Mike Vitale.

You can also watch the 4K version on my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfr9HgtrRDc

Support and Join the Record Label:  http://bit.ly/2nigMwU
Learn More About Me Here:  http://mikevitalemusic.com
Upcoming Shows:  https://www.bandsintown.com/mikevitale/
Subscribe:  http://bit.ly/2niho5G

Connect with me online and say hi:
Twitter  http://twitter.com/mikevitalemusic
Facebook  http://facebook.com/mikevitalemusic
Instagram  http://instagram.com/mikevitalemusic

Listen to Me Here:
Soundcloud:  http://soundcloud.com/mikevitalemusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WvkxAen388KiPMSxh6joB…
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mike-vitale/260074369
Purchase Music:
Bandcamp:  https://mikevitalemusic.bandcamp.com
iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mike-vitale/260074369

TIME MACHINE 
words and music by Mike Vitale 

cogs and wheels that spin and spark 
driving alone on a highway in the dark 
steampunk brain, this lone machine 
behind my random access memory 

I've got Legos sprawled all across my floor 
My brothers and I are going to war 
force fields furnish the perfect protection 
for a space ship powered by our predilection 

I'm a time machine 
I am senescence 
a dinosaur book 
adolescence 
A onesie sleep 
on my parents couch 
loving me to bed 
with caring slouch 

cogs and wheels connect with the power train 
playing with my r/c car in the rain 
I'm behind the wheel of my own creation 
an 88 mile an hour rumination 

I'm a time machine 
I am senescence 
a dinosaur book 
adolescence 
A onesie sleep 
on my parents couch 
loving me to bed 
with caring slouch 

I jump like Indiana Jones down a flight of stairs 
Avoided hot lava on the kitchen chairs 
I saved the whole world from a fierce invasion 
I'm an observer in a widening age dilation 

I'm a time machine 
I am senescence 
a dinosaur book 
adolescence 
A onesie sleep 
on my parents couch 
loving me to bed 
with caring slouch 

I'm a time machine 
I am senescence 
a dinosaur book 
adolescence 
A onesie sleep 
on my parents couch 
loving me to bed 
with caring slouch

Thank you to everyone supporting on Patreon. Special thanks to Fernando Gallegos and Amy Armitage.

Empty Circle (Live From My Living Room)

Here is a live video of me performing a tune about being dumped right after Christmas.  Hey, there is never a good time to get dumped.  It might as well be after Christmas.

I am very proud of this song.  It's a piece of my life.  Perhaps you might relate to it.  Perhaps not.  It is without a doubt, one of my favorite songs that I have written.

As always, thank you so very much for making this such a special year for me.  

I am working very diligently on my social media presence at the moment.  Namely Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, so if you feel like connecting on any of those formats, I would be thrilled. Links can be found at the very bottom of this message.  Also, if any of this stuff that I am posting is good, please share.  I would be honored.  Word of mouth.  On social media.  Whatever you fancy.  Sharing is the biggest and best thing you can ever do for me.

All my love,

Mike

Live at The Hotel Cafe on September 20th 2018

Hey Friends!

Tom Bremer and I are going to be playing an acoustic duo set on the Hotel Cafe main stage this Thursday September 20th 2018 at 7pm. We’re playing in support of the incomparable Matt Andersen who is out on tour. We would be thrilled to have you there.

Advanced tickets are available on the Hotel Cafe website. Here is a link to purchase:

https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=7958

If you have never had the opportunity to hear Tom and I play together, this would be the perfect opportunity for you to do so. We have been playing together now for several years and used to play quite frequently together at LAX, in the Bradley Terminal for international travel passengers.

Tom is the second guitar player on most of my acoustic album I released in May of this year called EMPTY CIRCLE:

http://smarturl.it/lvmdy2

Here is a video we did last week together. It’s a cover of The Grateful Dead classic “Friend of the Devil.”

I hope this finds you all in good spirits (I’m personally in pajamas) and that we might be able to share some vibes with you on Thursday night at 7pm.

- Mike

Record Store Day Performance - Youtube

Here is a live video of me performing my song TIME MACHINE in Long Beach, CA.  This was an In-Store performance on Record Store Day, April 21st 2018, at Dyzzy on Vinyl.

If you dig it, please help me share the video!  Thanks to our very own Megan from here on Patreon, for capturing the footage and sharing it!  

If you dig this, you can find more by visiting my Youtube Channel here:  http://youtube.com/mikevitalemusic

Mike Vitale and Tom Bremer play guitar and sing—at the same time! (in Long Beach)

Mike Vitale 8659.JPG

TODAY (Wed June 20th 2018), before our circus act later in the evening—the one where we put my head in the mouth of a live tiger—Tom and I will attempt the impossible: "to sing and play guitar together, at the same time, while broadcasting on Periscope, at a Holiday Inn, in Long Beach, in the penthouse restaurant THE VUE, while reading a 1980's issue of Penthouse magazine." All of this will be performed in front of a live audience, who does not care. Come. Drink. Don't care with us, together. Because, people who don't care, together, really don't give a shit, together—with a GREAT view of Long Beach.

Here is an event invite. Don't look at it though. Okay, you can look at it:  https://www.facebook.com/events/593984740986747/

We'll be playing songs from my new album EMPTY CIRCLE. Here are links to various streamlining services and digital distribution outlets to get your feet muddy with Mike and Tom. Make sure take off your shoes before you come in the hou... damn you. Look what you just did to the carpet??!

http://smarturl.it/lvmdy2

HOUSE SHOW JUNE 2nd 2018 - YOU'RE INVITED!

I am playing a solo acoustic show celebrating the release of my new full length acoustic duo album entitled EMPTY CIRCLE

This is the third year in a row that I have played this particular backyard, and let me tell you: it's a good time and I would be honored to have you there.  Yes you.  You reading this. Here is the skinny:

 

 

Saturday June 2nd 2018

Jody and Judy Timmerman HOUSE SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA

305 Nieto Ave. Long Beach, CA

$10 suggested donation.  Music starts at 5pm.

All ages welcome and you will be surrounded by wonderful people there who are kind and polite and have a great sense of humor, so please do not feel as if you would not be welcome.  You will be, with open arms.  Trust me on that.

Here is a write up that the Long Beach Independent did to advertise for the show June 2nd 2018:

http://www.longbeachindependent.com/2018/05/listening-to-mike-vitale/

If you are interested in checking out the new acoustic album, it is available for purchase and streaming at these fine online locations:

Long Beach Independent

I recently had the opportunity get some press for my new  acousitc album EMPTY CIRCLE by the Long Beach Independent.  Here is a link to checkout the article below.  Thank you kindly to Jewell for the interview!

 http://www.longbeachindependent.com/2018/05/listening-to-mike-vitale/

EMPTY CIRCLE is now available on Spotify

My sense of humor had been cryogenically frozen along with Walt Disney's head.  THE GOOD NEWS: It just thawed out and it's building a theme park, being crowd sourced by Spotify royalties.  Think a cross between Dollywood and Disneyland.  Help us name the theme park in the comments below.

To open directly in Spotify App:

spotify:album:7hYN1Z5NkNlEfcuPGGQ1C7

To use a browser to open the link:

https://open.spotify.com/album/7hYN1Z5NkNlEfcuPGGQ1C7

Thank you for listening!  

EMPTY CIRCLE is now available on Apple Music

Empty Circle by Mike Vitale (that's me!), is now available for digital streaming on Apple Music.  If you are an Apple Music user, go ahead and click here to give it a listen:

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/empty-circle/1384636182

If you're not an Apple Music, go ahead and click it anyway.  I have no idea what will happen.  Let's find out!

 

Hotel Cafe Acoustic Album Release - May 12th 2018

Album Cover by Sonya Kanelstrand

Album Cover by Sonya Kanelstrand

I have an acoustic duo album that I am going to be releasing on May 12th 2018 on the Hotel Cafe second stage at 8pm, and I would love to have you there.  Advanced tickets are available for purchase at The Hotel Cafe website:

https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=7581

The cover for the new album was photographed by Sonya Kanelstrand.  I am so thrilled to have her image as the face of this extended play release.  If you are interested in finding more of her material online, you can do so here:  http://www.kanelstrand.com

The music on the album is something I have devoted quite a bit of time to for the past several years, whether on the writing of the songs, the capturing of the material, the arrangements, or trying my best to mix some of this material in a manner that I feel is flattering, all by myself.  With that last bit being said, I'm very lucky to have Ryan Lipman stepping in to mix this material for release.

Along with the stellar talent of Sonya and Ryan, my friend Keenan Castello will be joining me on lead guitar that night to perform these songs, live, and my friend Lakin will be opening the show at 7pm.  Tom Bremer played lead guitar on several of these tunes, but will be out on tour during the release.

Your love, support and encouragement means the world to me and I would be stoked to be surrounded by family, friends, acquaintances, and fans.

Acoustic Album

Aside from all the full band material that I have been working on over the past few years, I am also nearing the completion of an acoustic album.  I'd like to share one of the tracks with you.  It's a song called EMPTY CIRCLE.  I just posted a video of it today on my Youtube Channel.

It deals with the end of my last relationship.  In hindsight, it was a good thing.  However, at the time, I felt like a small child lost in the woods at night, walking in circles, trying to find his home.

EMPTY CIRCLE
words and music by Mike Vitale

I was a table
But now I'm a rug
It's raining outside
Your shoes are covered in mud

I was a Christmas Tree
But now it's past Christmas Day
I got tossed out
With the crumpled gift wrap you throw away

It was fun while it lasted
But now I'm left here feeling slanted

Walking in footsteps
Don't seem to be mine
A snowy path of prints
Through a forest of pine

Off in the distance
There's a vanity light
It shines through the window
Of my home at night

Wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday
Chill of snow numbs my pain

As this crooked line
Becomes and empty circle
I was opine
But now I'm non-verbal

I am a footnote
To your storied life
I'm all alone
You're someone else's wife

A tiny table
Place setting for one
The holiday supper
Has already begun

As a child lost in the woods at night
I search for a pathway towards the light

As this crooked line
Became and empty circle
I was opine
But now I'm non-verbal