Skip to content

Change and Hope

2012 November 7
by Mike Vial

I want to take a moment to talk about change and hope.

Four years ago I watched Barack Obama win on a TV at my cousin Jen’s apartment in Ann Arbor. After the election results were called, I drove home to a terrible apartment in a small town where I was unhappy; I was a lonely bachelor, wondering about my future. I was seeking change and hope for my life.
Four years later, with my lovely wife by my side, from our quaint rental home in Ann Arbor, I watched Barack Obama win his second term. Last night, I had to stop for a moment and feel blessed about the change and hope I had found.
The fact is “change and hope” begins inside yourself. Four years can make a big difference. Use and live them, fully, no matter what political affiliation, no matter what a pundit parrots, no matter what nay-sayers say.
Spread optimism and courage from fear.
Share

Pull the Plug Podcast Oct 19 is up!

2012 October 20
Comments Off on Pull the Plug Podcast Oct 19 is up!
by Mike Vial

The Pull the Plug Podcast featuring songs from Paul Federici and I performing live are up!

Special thanks to Shannon, Justin and Justin for having us on the show. The Pull the Plug podcast is recorded at the Sound Distillery in Kitchener, Ontario.

Pull the Plug Podcast Outline:

  1. Intro
  2. –song: “Little Stream of Whiskey” Old Man Louadec (2:40)
  3. Paul Federici Fundraiser recap
  4. Damn Fine Day, Mike Vial (10:35)
  5. Phil’s tailgate bet on Youtube (15:00)
  6. –song: “Last Time” Jacquin Van Happen
  7. “We’re Really Angry” by Michael Angry Hawkins
  8. –song: “Enuck Shuck” – The Dickins
  9. Recap of Paul Federici’s Fundraiser; interview with Passion Parties
  10. Please Don’t Break, Paul Federici (36:45)
  11. Recap of Paul Federici’s Fundraiser
  12. Lonely Heart, Paul Federici (48:41)
  13. PtP Movie Update (52:40)
  14. I Will, Mike Vial (57:00)
  15. PtP Music News (1:01:01)
  16. Only the Rain Knows Why, Mike Vial (1:08:06)
  17. Beatles Painting (1:10:00)
  18. –Song: What Are You People Made Of, Justin Briner (1:14:20)

Photo Credit: Paul Federici

Paul Federici recording at the PtP podcast at the Sound Distillery, with William Muir behind the board.

Paul and the PtP cast: Justin, Justin and Shannon

At the Sound Distillery

Share

Canada Tour 2012 Recap

2012 October 19
by Mike Vial

I had a great time touring through Canada last week. Special thanks to:

  • Paul Federici for inviting me to join his tour.
  • David Burnham from Brock University Radio for hosting our hour interview
  • Shannon, Justin & Justin from the Pull the Plug podcast for featuring us on this week’s show.
  • The Sound Distillery for hosting our podcast recording for Pull the Plug.
  • Marcone for inviting me to record at Porcelain Records.
  • Michael and Kathleen for cooking dinner and yelling at me for my late arrival!

Video of Paul Federici performing at Brock Radio:

Here are some photos from the tour:

Paul Federici playing at Habits Gusto in Toronto

Recording the Pull the Plug podcast at the Sound Distillery in Kitchener, ON.

Paul recording the PtP Podcast at the Sound Distillery

Tristan's life-size Nintendo controllers at Paul's fundraiser!

Paul Federici with the Pull the Plug Podcast cast

Paul auctioned off his beard at the fundraiser. Instant Mario/Jim Croce look!

Me playing at Paul's fundraiser. Photo credits: Kathleen Farley from Catherine North

Paul and I closing the night at the fundraiser. Photo credits: Kathleen Farley from Catherine North

Share

Recording Session for “Reaching Back”

2012 October 19
Comments Off on Recording Session for “Reaching Back”
by Mike Vial

During my Canada tour last week, my friend Marcone invited me to stop in Porcelain Recording in Hamilton, Ontario to record. (Marcone did engineering work and piano playing on my last two EPs.) We didn’t have a plan or goal in mind, he just set-up some mics and said, “Let’s have fun!”

During the session, I showed Marcone an unfinished song called “Reaching Back” on my acoustic guitar. Marcone challenged me to try the guitar riff on an old Harmony guitar from the wall. We ran it through a 1970s Fender Twin, and wow! We loved what we heard.

So we got to work. I tracked the Harmony guitar and vocals live at the same time. Marcone and I played around with piano parts, and we decided simple 5 chords worked well for adding texture. Then, Marcone experimented with a bass part using a Hammond organ’s bass pedals and droning chords with a Leslie.

Steve Bigas, owner of Porcelain Records (who’s worked with Daniel Lanois!), stopped up to take a listen as I was tracking the guitar solo. “You mind if I lay down a drum track?” he asked.  I was floored by the offer!

So now I have a new song to share after the mixing and mastering is done. I want to offer special thanks to GW Station and his songwriting competition, ForSongSake. “Reaching Back” was one of my submissions in 2011. However, I”m not sure this song would have came to life without that old Harmony guitar at Porcelain Records.


The magic guitar, an old Harmony!

The Fender Twin (70s era)

Marcone tracking piano

A photo of Porcelain Records's open layout.

Marcone tracking Hammond organ.

Marcone mixing at Porcelain Records

Marcone on the piano

Share

Set List – Flint Local 432

2012 October 15
Comments Off on Set List – Flint Local 432
by Mike Vial

Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 – Flint Local 432

  1. One Way Road
  2. Empty Cup
  3. Damn Fine Day*
  4. Made a Mess*
  5. Wild World (Cats Stevens)*
  6. Only the Rain Knows Why*
  7. Driftwood
  8. Intelligent Fool

All songs with David Mosher accompanying on guitar, fiddle, or mandolin
* songs with Hannah Fralick on backing vocals

Photo Credits: Tamra Klaty

Share