Kevin Mileski: Journal

So, I came in early today and found an email from a very close friend of mine, rob Drabkin out in Colorado who is absolutely killing it on pretty much everything where music is involved. It's always pretty crazy to think that lots of friends of mine all over the country are doing so well. The original is Dayna Lane of course who is signed to a division of Sony records. Then there's Rob Drabkin who has been by far the most generous person when it comes to sharing shows all over the place. And there are countless others.

Something I've realized over the many years I've been playing live is that I love to play live and couldn't care less where I do it as long as I'm honored enough to have people listen. So, it gives you two options when you find out about the successes of your friends. You can freak out and say, "WHY NOT ME?!" which usually gets you as far as the question mark. OR you can sit back and say, "Ahhh, there's justice in this business." which is much more likely for me as jealousy has been out of my vocabulary for many years now.

The truth is that we all have our successes and we take with those successes some failures. The thing that keeps me going is that I am proud to be a little part of others' moments to shine. I'm proud to know that fans have been supporting music for this long and are this willing to help out musicians.

So, to my famous friends (and those who soon will be), congratulations. There is justice.

Until next time.

So, Brittany and I will be hopping on a plane tonight to head to Colorado where I'll be playing three shows with Rob Drabkin, Reed Foehl, and Gregory Alan Isakov. I can't wait. it's good to be playing so much lately.

In fact, I've been listening to a lot of musicians lately who are touring and releasing albums all over the place. the funny thing is that I continue to hear songs about how they don't like it -- songs about being on the road too much, having too many fans, having too much money, having too much time to write music, and not enough time to work. Hmm, boy I could think of worse things. Either way, I'm looking forward to heading to CO tonight. I wonder if it's going to be cooler there than in Chicago?!

So, I'm sitting here today listening to XM Radio and I've got the Loft on. Now, I've been making Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah a staple of my set list for a long time -- it's one of my favorite songs of all time.

Well, I've been humbled. Ari Hest did a version of this tune that absolutely blew me away. Now, you can't really change anything about Jeff Buckley's version of the tune out of respect; but Ari did a really really really great job on this and I will scream it from the rooftops.

Okay, I've put it out there.

Listening to the song "Remember When The Music" sung by Bruce Springsteen. It's a song about the purity of music and what it represents, how it brings us all together, and seems to have somehow lost its footing along the way in a world that has pushed musicians to be totally independent of each other and independent of their fans.

One thing I can say is that it is a powerful thing to be able to write and sing and tell stories. Of course, what good is it if no one listens? Music has always been something that brings people together. It solves problems and puts some perspective on what you might think is your own issue. That is one thing art lets us do. It lets us tell stories and enjoy the stories no matter how old, personal, or uncomfortable the subject.

I've been very fortunate to have met some very selfless musicians recently. Of course, the one person who comes to mind is Dayna Lane my sister in law. She's always giving and sharing music. Although she's in the big studio and will be on tour this fall, she just loves music. There is no exception. I find the same thing in Rob Drabkin who has taken it upon himself to get me out to Colorado at the drop of a hat to play a couple of shows. Then there's Dave Tamkin who has shared his contacts with me that has allowed me to play more often than I did even before Brittany and I moved to Colorado. There are many more; but this tells me the music business is bad enough being a business - it doesn't have to be a competition on top of that to be successful.

I can only hope the music business keeps that in mind...they're getting better.

So, life is wonderful. I have just returned from my honeymoon with my wonderful wife. What a wonderful wedding we had. All of the close friends we could reach were there. Thank you! Talk to you all soon.

Listening to Gregory Alan Isakov - That Sea The Gambler.

I can only speak well of a few musicians at a time. The indication of a great artist is how the art influences art. In this case, I'm writing. Nicely done, Gregory. I wish him some great luck with what is in front of him

One of my favorite songs by Gregory is a song called "The Stable Song". I heard it first when he performed it while I was next to him on stage and it was something important. One of the lines is "Turn that diamond back into coal." Yeah, that's something good right there. I enjoy the purity of music more than anything. It's not always necessary to rock the house and blow the roof off. It is always necessary to be honest with the music.

I have a little book of quotes John Faust gave me and one of them is:
"Music is everything that war is not."

I love that.

Collector. The word used to mean someone who collects things. Now, it seems more

appropriate to define them as "people you don't want to speak to, don't answer calls

from...etc. " Yes, to collect is to gather.

Today, I received phone calls from several of my collectors. They're funny. No matter

what I say, they still try to get me to give them money I don't have. This isn't

something that I'm proud of -- it's simply something I have very little control over at

this moment. I explain my situation: that I've just moved and I'm very short on money

for the time being. Perhaps it would be easier to paraphrase my most recent

conversation:

"Hello"
*silence*
"Hello?!"
"Hello, may I speak with Kevin Mealewnski?"
"Do you mean Mileski?"
"Yes, Mr. Mealewnski..."
"Mileski"
"I apologize, sir, my name is Ed and I'm calling from Citicards regarding your accounts

with us?"
"Uh huh"
"It appears that you're a payment behind and we wanted to know if you'd be prepared

to make a payment today."
"I don't have any money right now so probably not at this very moment."
"Would it be possible to make a small payment?"
"As in Nothing?"
"Well, anything would help."
"So, nothing will take care of this then?"
"Sir?"
"I really don't have money, Ed. I wasn't kidding."
"Well, it looks like you're going to be two payments behind by the end of next month

which will make it more difficult to pay the amount due on this account."
"I'm aware of that stipulation."
"So, are you able to make a payment with us today?"
"Wow, that's weird. I really haven't made any money since I last said something, Ed.

I'm not proud that I don't have any money; but, if it comes to rent or my one remaining

credit card, guess which one I'm going to pay."
"I would assume the rent, sir."
"Right on, Ed. Can we talk arrangements in a week or so?"
"In order to make an arrangement, we would require a payment today."
"Ed, how much do you think I've paid you all over the course of the 5 years I've had

this balance?"
"I don't know, sir, I dont' have access to that information."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, Mr. Milewnski..."
"Mileski"
"I apologize; but yes. We do not have access to that information in this department."
"Ed, the way I look at it is that I've paid the total amount plus quite a bit of interest on

this card. What do you think about giving a guy a break and saying this is paid in full."
"Well, that's not the business we're in."
"Right, so, Ed, here's my dilemma today: I don't have enough money to pay this right

now. I'm not saying I won't. I'm just saying I can't today. You want the money today;

but I can't supply that. Next week, I should be better and will make my payment on

time as usual. It just so happens you caught me at a bad time, Ed. I'm sorry I can't

help that."
"So, are you saying you CAN make a payment today?"
"Holy shit, Ed. Are you serious? No, I cannot make a payment today. But do keep

calling me but not until next week, okay?"
"I'll note the account, Mr. MealiewnskwfyhiE FAOI FJADF"
"It's Mileski, Ed. Can you note the account that my name is Mileski?"
"I apologize, Mr. Mealiwenski..."
"Just call me Kevin. Tell everyone to call me Kevin."
"I can note the account."
"Thanks, Ed. You have a good one."

So, how could one not be frustrated when they're trying to move halfway across the country on a budget that allows for shipping one box at a time through UPS. Well, I'm planning on getting back there by July 20th and there's just a LOT of stuff to work on right now that I can't even fathom.

The best part of this whole thing though is that I'll be heading back to my future wife and you just can't argue about that!! I can't wait for that. Basically, you realize that life is a lot easier in pairs. Ah yes and then there's the music biz. What a ball that is! I believe I'll figure this out someday; but until then, I'll be content to play for the folks who come to live shows and Brittany and Bryan at home. Purity! I'll be back. Oh, wait, I have a lot to say all of the sudden.

LOUD TALKERS!! I'm not talking about folks you can hear because I'm a notorious mumbler; but I can't stand folks who are in, let's say the coffee shop I'm sitting in right now where it's pretty quiet and they're talking a bit too much about some pretty personal things. Yeah, and the other thing is that they've decided to sit down right next to me and I really wish I could take a picture of where they are with reference to me and how many other seats are available. I wonder what John Stewart would say about this? Talk to you all soon! Thanks for all the comments on these, by the way.

So, I'm driving down the highway today and I'm cruising at about 72 mph. I get passed v-e-r-y slowly by a minivan with a mother and her son in the front seat. Not a problem, noteven that big of a deal; but I noticed something on the slow-motion drive-by. I noticed the mother had a blue tooth earpiece in her right ear and the son was playing video games while listening to his i-pod.

Now I remember growing up when the car ride was not only something you enjoyed for the first two hours; but it was something that you feared and had to pay attention to because, if you didn't, the Pinto might very well catch on fire and then EVERYONE would have to pile out the windows because the doors didn't function correctly in an effort to escape the possibility of death by burning. Of course, we didn't go anywhere without fire-extinguishers; but that's the way it was then.

I was having a conversation with my neighbor Derrick about how cars have changed over the years. I still own my '69 VW Van which has it's own sounds and smells that let me know it's alive and breathing albeit not that well. If I were to smell or hear what I do in the bus in my current car, I'd flip out and spend $600 on filters, spark plugs, tires, a bad-ass grease gun, and ear plugs. But cars today are quite different and much more complicated and more computer-literate than the average 5th grader with a degree in computer science. I suppose that's why no one really pays that much attention to their cars anymore. If the car isn't running well, it tells you and sometimes emails you with the specific problem. If not, you hit a button that calls the people at On-Star and they diagnose the problem before you get to the next gas station. I suppose it just goes along with the whole idea of not speaking to the person you're riding with. I mean, why bother with an intelligent conversation when you can simultaneously see where you're going, get yourself to the level 50 elf-killer, and listen to death metal?

Hold on...I have to take this call.

It's official. I do not drive a big SUV anymore. I'm still driving the same car I always have; but it appears that it is not considered oversized. The good thing is that I save $5 at the carwash; but now I feel slightly inadequate. Do I really need to go out and buy that darn Dodge 3500 diesel duelie with the mega cab and a small country in the back? Naah.

I just seems that, while other countries are trying their hardest to meet the environmental needs of the world, the US keeps getting bigger and bigger vehicles for fewer and fewer things. Every time I think of getting rid of my Jeep for something smaller, we get hit with four feet of snow at which point I drive my neighbors to the local coffee shop because we "can't get to work". Perhaps the Hummer isn't that bad of a choice.

The Colorado Springs Utilities Office is a wonderment to society altogether. Why, just today, I headed on over to their office to pay a bill for the compay here. They have this very convenient drive-through (or "drive-thru" which always pisses me off) that is good for dropping off payments without getting out of the warmth of your vehicle.

Yes, the drive-thru -- where they cannot issue receipts, accept payments without your bill, or talk through a correctly-functioning speaker. Somehow, they've not only managed to do this with unbelievable efficiency, they've also managed to get you to come in to the office to get a receipt.

huh?

So, after I peeled out of the drive through, around the corner, looked for a spot to park in downtown Colorado Springs during lunch hour, I decided to actually walk in the door...which didn't open. They have the handicapped doors; but these won't open at all until you press the button which is a good 15 feet from the door. Now, the catch is that, when you do press the button, the door opens all the way, stays there for less than three seconds and immediately closes without resistance. Now, tell me how someone in a wheelchair can make that time? Brutal. Well, that's not even the point. As I'm walking in, there's a guy waiting inside who, as soon as the door opens, comes barreling through it right into me. Doesn't say "excuse me" or anything. Again...brutal...and that's not the point either.

So, I make my way in to the clerk area where usually you might expect to wait in a short line. But it appears that they've complicated the system to a degree that I'm completely unfamiliar with...ooh, sorry about that dangler there. When you walk in the door, there's a police officer waiting there to "greet" you. That'd be nice if he actually said something or even looked at you. Nope, he was playing some kind of game or something on the computer. AWESOME! I can see why though -- there wasn't a soul in there. Literally not one soul. So, I make my way up to the counter where the clerk says, "Did we call your number?"
"Um, no?"
"You need to take a number, sir."
"There's no one here." At which point, the guy looked like I just pulled a gun out of my pocket.
"Well, it's required, sir." Now, I gave him my biggest what-the-fuck look I could muster and turned around to grab a number. Now comes the surprise. Before you get a number from the computer, you have to tell them what you want to do. Now, keep in mind, there's only ONE CLERK. So, i pick "other" and sit down in one of the 20 empty chairs because...again...there's not ONE person in there. And I laughed...out loud...because they started calling numbers that weren't there. I can deal with maybe one number; but this was about 5 or 6. Isn't that great?! Oh, so, I finally get to the counter and the guy has the nerve to say, "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"You're kidding right?"
"No, at least the wait wasn't that long." And I tried my hardest to see the sarcasm in his face and pulled up that same look again.
"No...I guess."
"What can I do for you?"
"You can take my check and give me a receipt."
"OKay, did you go through the drive-thru? It's usually faster."
"I needed a receipt and they wouldn't give me one."
"Well, that's understandable. If they printed receipts for everyone, the line would be out to the street."
"Yes, the banks really have a hard time with that too."
"I know. I know. You're preaching to the choir." At that time, he took the check from me, pulled up the account on the computer, entered my check amount into it, printed a receipt and had me out of there in less than 1 minute.

A perfect model of efficiency.

Well, I have to say I was thrilled with the show at the Walnut Room in Denver this past Thursday. I had the opportunity to share the stage with some really talented guys and it made for a wonderful night. Not only were we able to keep a perfect listening crowd listening; but we all had a great time as well.

I find it hard to understand why it is that I honestly knew three people out of the whole audience. I guess I can say that my home is on stage. Regardless, it was really nice to feel the absolute NEED to play.

More to come on this for sure.

Kevin

Okay, that's in quotes because I read it on Ms. Joey's page today. She was talking about all the killing that's been going on lately. School shootings, war, you name it -- it's all very surprisingly normal.

Makes you want to go out on tour in your '69 VW van, doesn't it? Maybe I will. Are there any potential drivers out there?

it's my newest thing. It's called a vehicular bitch slap. Basically, you know, when you're driving, and the guy getting on the highway SLAMS on his brakes because he doesn't know if he'll fit in that big ass hole you left him and he's half way in? Well, if you manage to get around that guy, you can just wave your hand from side to side which inadvertantly makes the steering wheel jerk to the right while you're bitch slapping. It works and I usually don't see the person again. THIS DOES NOT WORK IN MONTANA! EVERYONE KNOWS YOU THERE.

Well, I'll tell ya, friends. It's been a rough ride here in Colorado. I don't know what to think of the music scene here. I've seen some truly amazing artists out here who seem to be struggling quite a bit; but that doesn't mean anything. Perhaps there's something I don't know about that I should.

The other day, we had our first snowfall here and it was absolutely beautiful. You see, I live on what's called the "front range" which means we get the foothills of the biggin's . During the summer, it looks a lot like...Nevada; but the winter really makes it truly a spectacle here. I love that part of it here.

For right now, I'm working. I've written a few new songs that I'm really excited to play for the Chicago crowd on October 7th. Can't wait.

See you then!

Hey, friends. Wow, it's been a long time since I added to this journal. Lately, it's been pretty tough getting music rolling in Colorado. Turns out it's not the scene I thought it should be. Of course, I'm generalizing about Colorado when I should be just including right where I live. Brittany and I live at 7200 feet and love it. There are photos of the view from our front porch on the photos page. Yup, I finally posted new stuff on this new site. It's so much easier for me. I have to get the link to Tricia Muelbauher's site. She's the photographer who took the pro shots. All the ones that look weird are mine. So, I'm looking forward to another show at Lamplighters in Palatine on October 7th. Mark it in your calendars!! Okay, well, that's about it for now.

Now that it's so much easier for me to write in the Journal, I think I'll probably do it a lot more often.

Until next time!

Holy shit. No seriously, holy crap. I live about 15 miles up the mountain from my place of work right now and it took me over an hour to get home!!

So, Dear Colorado, please understand that we all have a morbid curiosity that pulls at our gas pedals to see what happened to the person with three police cars and an ambulance around their car. The truth is, Colorado, it's not necessary to stop! You can take a quick glance, make your assumptions of what happened and discuss it with the hitchiker you just picked up. Also, the windshield wipers in your car DO turn on without the assistance of your brake pedal. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kevin

So, I can't complain anymore. In the last two days, I've been contacted by many people regarding my music and it's been wonderful. I've had a HUGE great review from the Independent Artists Registry -- an elite group of musicians who are chosen on many different merits. More to come on that later. For now, I hope you enjoy the new site as it's making me happy