The Buzz

“What I aspire to be is unrealistic, out of touch, At least that’s what people say, ” North Reading High School senior Mike Del Vecchio admits.  “But, by releasing this song, I assert myself. Music is something I want to be part of my life forever.”

This unwavering dedication to his craft began at age twelve, when Del Vecchio started taking guitar lessons with the hope of finding a new hobby. Inspired by the grunge era of the 90s, including bands like Nirvana and Alice in Chains, he expanded to the bass guitar as well. He thanks his guitar teacher, Colin, for the success he has achieved and will continue to, throughout his music journey. 

Mike acknowledges that he has been able to sustain his passion in part due to the like-minded individuals he came across at North Reading High. He shouts out close friends Torin Nickerson (‘25), a fellow guitarist, and Brian Conlon (‘24), a drummer, who joined him in the creation of Vinyl Hum, his first band. For about three years, they looked for gigs, most prominently playing the North Reading Apple Festival. Mike also participated in a metal group, where he played bass, and considers his performance at metalcore shows at the Danvers Art Association as a highlight. These days, he plays with a band of UMass Amherst musicians, driving up for shows every few months. 

Somewhere in between these experiences, was the creation of Club Madison, a group made up of mostly Wilmington High students. Mike joined the project two and a half years ago at the invitation of rhythm guitarist and bass player Jared Parks, who was also a member of the metal group he played in. David Caples, a relative of his, was the lead vocalist in the band, and he was eager to participate, especially after he met other members of the band including Dean Ciampa on keyboard and Thomas Sica on drums. The connection and synergy made Mike feel even more compelled to pursue this opportunity and he remains extremely grateful for his decision. 

A variety of life experiences and musical influences have contributed to Club Madison’s sound, comparable to Smashing Pumpkins or the Backseat Lovers with hints of jazz and country inspiration. Mike reminisces on the collaborative force that inspired the name of the band. “We had spent a lot of time writing and playing live at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. There were opportunities to play live and space to have inspiration. We would walk down the strip and see this dilapidated, club or bar that, you know, immediately caught our eye. The glass window on the door was shattered, it looked like it’d been punched through. The venue was called Club Madison.” Unfortunately, the night club closed prior to the band’s formal creation, and while there may not be an opportunity for Club Madison to play at the eponymous spot, they are pleased to keep the memory alive through their music. 

After many years of commitment to writing and performing, Mike is thrilled to announce that Club Madison will be releasing a single, “Untitled Lover.” Countless days have been spent in the Alpha Omega studio, writing, producing, and rewriting to ensure the song adequately holds the melancholic tones of an immersive, yet catastrophic love. Mike gives insight into the recording process, explaining, “We would record to a click in our headphones, and we’d all record together, which is not as common to see. Many record their own parts and just piece it all together, but we all work with each other. Sometimes, this is more time-consuming, but it motivates us to focus and helps us succeed.”

As most of the Club Madison members have gone off to college, aside from Mike and Dean, they cannot easily play together as a band these days. However, this fall, Mike plans to attend Belmont University to pursue a degree in Entertainment & Music Business, the college where his band mate and cousin, David , currently attends. While he is unsure of what the future holds, Mike is confident that music will continue to be a part of his life, and he hopes to continue learning from others and honing his own sound. 

Mike candidly concludes, “This song wasn’t something we inherently produced for the listener, but is moreso meant to prove our capabilities to ourselves. This is something we’ve put our heart and souls into, and as young musicians we face tremendous doubt and stigma from a lot of people. With our music, we hope to inspire others to pursue their goals, no matter what adversities they face.”

Be sure to listen to Club Madison’s “Untitled Lover,” streaming now!