Mike Vermeil, drawing eclectic inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, and Lil Uzi Vert, is a singer-songwriter hailing from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Recording in the DIY haven of Philadelphia, Mike’s music is known to evoke the youthful ennui of love, friendship, and city living. It’s a mythology for a burgeoning burnout and the legends are glorious.
As a teenager, Vermeil performed in jazz clubs, orchestra pits, and with local musicians looking for a kid who could “shred” Van Halen. Now, writing his own music, Vermeil prefers a more intimate approach. Whether it be he alone with an acoustic guitar or a full band, they sonically mingle with bathroom stall poetry, tall tales holding ironic twists you’d have to see to believe, and romance tinged with misplaced hope and missed opportunity.
Vermeil’s new song, “American Vacation,” takes a page from Vermeil’s professes favorite “Just Like Thumb’s Blues” — a sardonic tale of feeling out of place that is nevertheless a jaunty toe-tapper.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
I would say sonically you could argue a few tunes off “Aja “(Steely Dan) are perfect, or as close to recording perfection as you can get. In this moment of time, I would say something like “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” (Bob Dylan) is the perfect song. Something about it conjures up a specific emotion that I’ve never felt another song has done. It gives a sense of aspiration, but in a limited way. That song never fails to put me in a good mood. (“September” by Earth Wind and Fire has arguments going for it too.)
Have you ever been star-struck when playing with a musician?
100% – as a guitarist, when you play with another guitar player who approaches the instrument in a different way than you (and does it really well), it’s quite inspiring.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
Just do it!
What is your vision for a more just music industry?
Diversity in persons and in thought. Likeminded people from likeminded places don’t always come up with the best processes / solutions. It also goes without saying that opportunity is not equally distributed amongst individuals / groups of people. I’d like to do something within that space – maybe create a place where people can come to record themselves, learn about at-home recording, attend classes on the tech / how to use the programs, etc.
What’s the first concert you ever attended? What do you remember about it?
The Allman Brothers & Bob Weir. Vomit and weed smells.
Mike Vermeil — Instagram