"Fool For You" has 18,000 plays on TikTok

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Fool For You (Live at Studio 333) could go viral! What??

I have never had anything like this happen to me before. I recently joined TikTok, and a few days ago, I uploaded a brand new mix of a song that I wrote called "Fool For You (Live at Studio 333)". I had this really beautiful video footage that Damian Apunte filmed years ago, of the band and I playing the song live at my friend's recording studio.

I didn't have a lot of money at the time of filming that video, and so I decided to try and mix the audio myself. Long story short, the audio didn't turn out all that great. Fast forward five or six years later. I sent the audio off to my friend Ryan Lipman, to mix. This was during the pandemic. I had lots of time on my hands, and it had always bugged me, that the audio wasn't as good as the video footage. Well, let me tell you: Ryan fixed that problem. He sent me a gorgeous mix for the song.

I then proceeded to forget about that mix.

That bring us to three days ago. 

I was looking through my hard drive, and I found this mix that Ryan Lipman did. I took the existing video footage I have, threw that into Adobe Premiere Pro (a video editing program), and added Ryan's audio mix to this footage. It looks (and now it sounds) beautiful.

Instilled with this new confidence in the song, I posted it on TikTok. Two days later, it has 18,000 plus views. My follower count suddenly explodes. People are asking where they can listen to the song. It's been incredible.

I decided to re-release the song. It's now live on Spotify and Apple Music: the new mix of the song. I also re-uploaded it to Youtube:

These are small victories.

The song hasn't gone viral. It's just received more attention than I am used to—from a younger demographic. I am not accustomed to that, I suppose? It most certainly isn't unwelcome. It warms my heart and lends to me feeling the furthest from being antiquated: relevant. Special even?

For a short period of time, it feels special. I feel special (just a little bit—forgive me for that if it is an ugly thing).

Who knows what the future holds? Perhaps the song will continue this upward trajectory. Then again, perhaps it won't, and perhaps it will fall into obscurity once again.

Regardless, I am thankful for the new ears and new hearts and new brains that have found this song.

I make music to connect with people, and it feels really lovely to connect with new people. People who I have never met in person.

In all honesty, I hope and dream that it continues to gain momentum. I texted my aunt Doreen yesterday, to share with her that it was exploding on this platform. I told her that I had my fingers crossed that it goes viral. She said, "I'll pray for it. It's more reliable." I used to tell Doreen that I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a little kid—or a professional baseball player. And whatever it was, she always supported me. She is supporting right now in prayers. Prayers that it will go viral.

I hope that it does this because it's a good song. I truly believe in this song. I always have—seeing the reaction I receive from people when I play it live.

Here is a link to check it out on TikTok:

Click this image to find “Fool For You (Live at Studio 333)” on your favorite streaming service. The new mix by Ryan Lipman is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, and every other streaming service you can think of.

You can also click this link below to find it on your favorite platform of choice to listen to good vibes:

https://songwhip.com/mikevitale/fool-for-you-live-at-studio-333



Additionally, here is a link to my latest release from 2021. It is a Country and Americana inspired collection of songs. The album is called Φ. It is available on all the major streaming services by either clicking the album cover to the right, or the link below:

https://songwhip.com/mikevitale/phi

I am thankful to have you all in my lives.

I am thankful to be touring in October and November of this year.
(You can see all my show dates here: https://www.bandsintown.com/mikevitale

I am thankful for all the people who have been contributing to this tour on my GoFundMe. Every little bit helps, and I hope you have been enjoying my newest album, DESERT DOGS (which I send when you contribute to it), before it gets released next year on July 11th 2023: https://gofund.me/7876a2cd

May you all cross your fingers for me, or pray, or carry me in your thoughts. Whatever suits your demeanor and life outlook. May this song soar, even if just for a little while, over small mountain ranges. May it see a small bit of what the world has to offer, and connect me with more folks than my wildest imagination could ever fathom.

- Mike

FALL 2022 United States Tour

ϕ by Mike Vitale

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The album that I am releasing right now has been a labor of love for me. It is called φ, or Phi. I have worked on it since 2017.

Phi is an irrational number (like my ambitions)—and like Pi, except Phi deals with spirals and is derived from the Fibonacci sequence—the sort of spirals you see in a pine cone, a pineapple, or the spreading of leaves on select plants to garner maximum sunlight—or the spiral of a milky way galaxy that we all live in.

Some of us derive significance from such things. Others? Not so much. It isn’t a necessity after all. Perhaps it’s just a way to pass the time—and I do that either way.

Curiosity and living life itself, is a fine enough sentiment to cue the music to: so I do—and then give it a queue to rest in: 12 songs to be precise, if precision were ever something a human being truly achieves.

I find us all to be an amazing and beautiful curiosity. A wonder. A joy. A miracle. As I age, I only become more enamored with us all, and what our purpose is here on Earth. Each of us.

For me, it feels like it is to write music about my life, both the good, and the bad—and to share it with as much honesty as possible, so that people may know that they are not alone in the way they feel. To play these songs for as many people as possible. To share my life, openly for those who care to listen.

… and although happiness may hardly need such expression or sentiment—heartbreak certainly does. There are so many of us out there that are hurting. I try to help in my own way.

Much like any song, or curiosity, or memory, or thought, or expression—or human being for that matter: we all matter. We are made of it, and we pass in conjunction with it, with each moment we are lucky enough to perceive.

May we all find our purpose and keep on doing and being the best version of ourselves. I try really hard every day to be that.

These 12 songs, available on all streaming services right now, are my life, written in music and melody and words: they are as much for you as they were cathartic for me over the past several years. I am thankful for you dear reader. Know that.

Here is a portal to all the things (you can also click that beautiful album cover up yonder):

CLICK ON ME TO LISTEN TO THE NEW ALBUM

Gone by Mike Vitale

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Gone is now available to listen to on all streaming services. You can find it on your preferred service by either clicking the album cover or at this link right here:

GONE | NEW SINGLE

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.

Dandelion Seeds | Mike Vitale (Original)

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“Dandelion Seeds”
words and music by Michael Patrick Vitale

We’re dandelion seeds in the wind
A couple kids playing pretend
Making wishes in the weeds
Reading our futures off of tarot cards and tea leaves

Wandering around the bend
With one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the bitter end
Reaching out towards the stars
Above a Hollywood sign and an ocean of cars

I have my opinion, but you’re full of your own
And there’s plenty of windshield time with our thoughts alone
And some could wage argue that truth is both moot and plural
Yet I’m still in love with the girl
Still in love with the girl

We’re dandelion seeds in the wind
A couple kids playing pretend
Making wishes in the weeds
Reading our futures off of tarot cards and tea leaves

Wandering around the bend
With one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the bitter end
Reaching out towards the stars
Above a Hollywood sign and an ocean of cars

I have my opinion, but you’re full of your own
And there’s plenty of windshield time with our thoughts alone
And some could wage argue that truth is both moot and plural
Yet I’m still in love with the girl
Still in love with the girl
I’m still in love with the girl
I’m still in love with the girl

If you are interested in learning more about me and my songwriting, engineering, production, and album making process—or would just like to be a part of my creative endeavors, check me out at http://www.patreon.com/mikevitalemusic

I have two albums that I’ve been working on to release this year. The first is Americana music, and the second is more world music driven! The Americana album is already available to listen to right now for $10 backers.

Younger Days | Mike Vitale and Daniel Blake

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YOUNGER DAYS
words and music by Daniel Blake and Mike Vitale

I’m searching in the attic
For something long abandoned for survival
I used to feel ecstatic
When horizons were the frame of your arrival

But nothing seems to stay the same as how we pictured it
People ever changing like the shifting continents
And there’s no sense in fencing in or building walls to save
The emotions we were swimming in
In our younger days

A shoebox full of moments
The memories that made us who we are
We’re smiling in these pictures
The last light from a dying star

Because nothing seems to stay the same as how we pictured it
People ever changing like the shifting continents
And there’s no sense in fencing in or building walls to save
The emotions we were swimming in
In our younger days

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.

My First Music Placement and Homelessness

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Hopefully, this is something that I won’t forget. It took me 39 years, but I finally had a piece of music picked for use in either a tv show, or a movie (forgive me for not knowing which it is). It’s an independent production called “House Broken.”

From what I am told, they are in the post production side of things, but I have been paid a synchronization fee for the song, so, it’s a done deal in terms of their interest in using the tune. They are pitching it to festivals and networks as soon as they complete the project.

Naturally, my hope is that anyone who works hard on their creative project, finds success with it.

It’s a project that deals with the subject of homelessness. The main character is based off of a real life person by the name of Fred Smoot. Fred was a stand up comedian in the 70’s who found success in his career and made several appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. This was a big deal for standup comedians in the 70’s.

Later in life, Fred developed dementia and eventually became homeless, living out of his car with his dog. He became a man of few possessions. Literally, he had a trophy, his car, and his puppy.

Fred’s circumstances are far from unusual. A friend of mine and I were watching a documentary called “Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home” that came out in 2010, regarding Skid Row and it’s homeless population. Many of the people that call downtown LA their home, have preexisting mental conditions—Manic Depression, Schizophrenia, and dementia being several of many.

“House Broken” will be a project that addresses the homeless crisis we see here in Southern California. I see it in my own neighborhood of Eagle Rock. If you are a Los Angeles or Orange County resident, I am sure you do as well.

The song that is being used is my most recent. It’s called “The Incredible Shrinking Brain.”

Here is a private link to check it out if you feel so inclined:

The Incredible Shrinking Brain

words and music by Mike Vitale

I feel like a mime with a painted on sad face touching an invisible wall

And it’s a crime I can’t see this behind my shit talk fueled by jealousy and alcohol

Sure, I’m overly critical, but by now I should know better

Maybe I’m just too hard on myself and it doesn’t really matter

The longer I live the less I know for sure

When I was a younger man my certainty was premature

There’s all these abstract explanations I could conjure up in vain

But I’m the man with the incredible shrinking brain

Do you feel like an actor dressed up in black face

We’re really just canaries in a coal mine

Carried out the shaft like a suitcase, soot trace, smeared across our face and brow

The war on race, preference, sex, and creed are indelible

and noxious as the fumes

And right before we lose our consciousness collective conscience looms

The longer we live the less we know for sure

When we were a younger brood our certainty was premature

There’s all these explanations we could conjure up in vain

But we’re people with incredible shrinking brains

Our incredible shrinking brains

Create the fertile furrows from a farmer’s plough

“Two fathoms deep” shouted across the bow

“Anger and hatred are caustic to the vessel in which it’s stored

Far more than to anything on which its poured”

The longer we live the less we know for sure

When we were a younger brood our certainty was premature

There’s all these abstract explanations we could conjure up in vain

But we’re people with incredible shrinking brain

We’re people with incredible shrinking brains

New Single "The Needle of the Human Race" on August 30th 2018

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My latest single "The Needle of the Human Race" will be available at all digital distribution locations on August 30th 2018.  You know the drill:  Spotify, Apple Music. iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, iHeartRadio, Deezer, Soundcloud, Bandcamp—all the places.

This was one of the first mixes I had completed from Patreon backers.  A special thank you to all of these people for whom of which this is all happening, because of you and your belief: Erik Gomez, Fernando Gallegos, Heather Renz, Amy Armitage, Austin, Bob Emerson, Bridget Mackiewicz, Carey Brown, Carson Fonseca, Fern Rouintree,  Brenda Matea, Ashley Thom, Jake, Janet Woodward, JayPee, John Sinambal, Joshua Jon Day, Judy and Jody Timmerman, Kelly McDonald, Lex, Matt Vitale, Megan Kaplinsky, Ron Feldman, Sarah Lim, The Luna Eclipse, Tim Grobaty, Yeggi Watts.

The song was mixed by Jon O'Brien at Music Box Studios in Fullerton, CA.  I recently had it mastered by Mark Chalecki and his amazing attention to detail that I admire a great deal.

A big thank you to all of my friends that played on this song.  Frank Reina on drums and Scott Dibble on Keys.  Most of all, thank you my friend Dave Gonzalez who played bass on this tune.  God bless him.  He passed away before having the opportunity to ever hear this song, completed—it breaks my heart to say that—it hurts even more to know that he is gone.  Then again, perhaps people such as Dave never really die, or are gone—they simply become music.  I will lean in that direction with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

A big thank you to my friend Ryan C Jones for the cover photo of this song.  If I remember correctly, he shot this photo on his phone.  You are such a gift Ryan and I am deeply appreciative of you, your talent, and your kindness. 

For anyone interested in Pre-Saving the song on Spotify, simply click the image above and it will put you in a place to do that.

Most of all, thank YOU (the person reading this) for finding interest in me and the music I'm making.  You validate my life and efforts.

OC Weekly Write-Up on Me

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Oh shit, I'm in the newspaper, mom.

Nate Jackson with OC Weekly and OC Weekly Music, did a write up on me and it goes to press next week.  However, it was released today, online.

Here is a link to read the full article if you're interested in doing such:

https://www.ocweekly.com/mike-vitales-life-hacks-as-a-working-musician-are-starting-to-pay-off/

The article explores my recent activities using the live streaming app Periscope to broadcast my shows from home and from gigs that I am playing around town.

I also talk about how I am using Patreon to crowdsource my music releases.  I've had a steady stream of new music releases since May of this year.  My new single No Vacancy is available everywhere you listen to music, so feel free to check it out.

GONE now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all Digital Retails Locations

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Today is the big day!  I have been working on releasing new music, that I produced myself, with the help of some very talented musician friends:  Frank Reina, Brad Cummings, Tom Bremer, and Anthony Castiglia.  Much of the audio was captured by either myself or Frank Reina.  The mix was done by Ryan Lipman and the mastering was handled by Mark Chalecki. Artwork is by Alper Yesiltas.

In all honesty, it has taken way too long to release this music.  On the flip side, I'm not exactly rolling in the dough, either.  Thanks to my friends on PATREON and to saving up their contributions, I was able to release this tune as well as prepare several more that I will hopefully be releasing in rapid succession (once a month) over the course of this year.  This is the first on many.

Here is a link to find several of the places where you can either purchase or stream this song:

We will be celebrating the release of this song on THURSDAY JUNE 14th at THE MINT in Los Angeles.  The show starts at 9:30PM.  My friend Marcus Von Rittberg will be performing a set at 9:30pm and I will be playing a set with Frank Reina on drums, Tom Bremer on electric guitar, and Paul Jones on bass at 10:30pm.  Tickets are available in advance for $10 here:  

June 14th 2018 - The Mint 6010 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.  Music starts at 9:30PM.

Thank you to everyone for their kindness, love, and support.  I am deeply appreciative of the positive vibes and energy.

- Mike

Psst. I have a secret for you.

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Cover art by Alper Yesiltas

Cover art by Alper Yesiltas

I just released a full band single for a song called GONE.  It's with the band behind me.  It's not officially being released until Tuesday June 12th 2018 , but since you are here, and you're reading this with those beautiful eyes of yours, I thought I would share it in advance with you.  It is only available in this one place and you can stream it and purchase it here, until it is officially released in the broader digital distribution market places on June 12th (iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, etc.).  Check it out now, funk soul brother.  Right about now (click the image if you want a direct link there—yeah, that's right "I'll take you there."

Acoustic Album

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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