Local Singer-Songwriter Kevin Mileski Returns to Lamplighter Inn

Reputable local singer and songwriter Kevin Mileski will deliver an expected notable guitar performance Saturday, Feb. 26 when he returns to Lamplighter Inn Tavern and Grille, downtown Palatine.

Musician Herman Winkler, for whom Mileski holds the highest esteem after several years of musical partnering, will accompany the guitarist on percussion. The show begins at 10 p.m.

According to his web site, Mileski is attributed with a knack for delivering a unique finger-style of guitar playing, as well as the ability to internationally touch countless listeners as a “strong thoughtful vocalist.”

Mileski describes his music as “acoustic guitar with a percussive feel.”

“I tend to describe [my material] as James Taylor meets Dave Matthews meets Jason Mraz,” Mileski said.

Lamplighter Inn has been sort of a “home base” for the Palatine native.

“It’s sort of a Cheers bar,” Mileski said of the venue. “The crowd is [always] fun loving.”

Mileski has been playing and developing musical narrative for many years. He said that he is “constantly writing.”

“I push hard on remembering my dreams,” Mileski said, when asked what he does to find inspirational fodder for songs.

The musician recalls taking a creative writing class in college, whereby he kept a dream journal.

“Some crazy songs came out of that [process],” Mileski said.

Originally from New Jersey, Mileski has lived much of his life in Colorado and around Palatine and Barrington. He said that environment, as well as the seasons can play into his artistic sense.

“My [musical] tone has changed progressively over the years,” Mileski said.

“Where I was once a ‘sad bastard,’ now my mood is more fun loving.”

Ostensibly, this shift toward a lighter outlook has manifested positive events for the once west-bound writer/guitarist’s musical career.

As such, Mileski was honored to play “at the majestic” Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO last July. He wrote of the experience in his online journal:

“I was able to perform solo in front of 7,000 people at the world's most beautiful music venue. Fill it with beautiful people and you can guarantee a spiritual moment.”

Among Mileski’s accolades, the musician has opened for, and in certain cases played with, bigger touring names such as Rusted Root, Little Feat, Locksley and Andrew Ripp.

He has released three full-length albums, each of which were well received.

But despite his list of successes, and the dynamic nature of Mileski’s performance style, the singer/song writer manages to maintain a level of artistic integrity, lacking concern over developing a huge name.

“It’s not about making it big,” Mileski said. “It’s about making [your thing] the only thing that you do.”

“If I can make enough [money] to live comfortably while doing what I love, [I’m happy].”

More often than not, it’s this hopeful outlook that will earn an artist that exact reality.

Swing by Lamplighter for a ‘Meet and Greet’ hour with Kevin Mileski from 9 to 10 p.m. His show will follow and continue into the evening, beginning at 10 p.m.

For more information about Kevin Mileski or his work, visit http://www.kevinmileski.com/.