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Mike Vanata

@mdangerv

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Co-creator at @westernasfuck
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 فلسطين حرة 🇵🇸

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It came together. Against about every odd there was. It probably shouldn’t have. But when I was down on my luck, my town answered. Laramie, Wyoming saved the day.

This is my third collaboration with my brother, Willi Carlisle. I’m honored every time. Thanks for giving me so many chances to make things, and for bringing me along as you keep moving up in the world. You’re a good friend, Willi. You take care of people.

My deepest thanks to my cinematographer and editor, Travis “Playboy” Marshall Beverly. He’s a hell of a cameraman, and somewhere along the way he became a friend for life. Thank you for giving me the chance to direct without also having to carry the camera. That was a gift, and I won’t forget it.

Then there were my Laramigos, an Academy Award-winning puppeteering team by the time we were done:

Sadie Clarendon, Mary Grace Bedwell, Brian Harrington, Conor Mullen, Claire Pearson & mutherfukn’ John Poland.

My love to the @jackrabbitworkshop for all their help and puppet hospital work ❤️

And the special effects crew. You showed up, figured shit out, and worked your asses off that first night. You made a moving van look like it was actually moving, which is a strange thing to ask of anybody. You pulled it off.

James Armington, Sarah Gray, Dylan “Moose” Handrich, Nick Park & “best boy” Jackson Clarendon.

My neighbor Fabrizio Ladu, who let me steal his daily driver van for a week. I love you, my Sardinian brother. Thanks for trusting me with the damn thing.

To Prairie Monarch Bison Ranch: my buddy Moose has let me shoot countless productions out there, mostly because he’s a good man and because he seems to believe that someday I’ll be able to pay him back with yacht money. I hope he’s right.

To JB’s Stop N Shop: the best gas station in Wyoming. Justin and your whole family were incredible. Thanks for letting us use the place and for jumping in with the special effects crew. You saved us.

And to my sister Ellie Newman. You’ve been a guide through a lot of this music world, and through more than that. I’m lucky to have you.

This one belongs to all of you. by @mdangerv

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3 days ago

Road Dog Postcards #001

A moment with Cat, Don, Aaron and Sweet Mickey.

Cat Clyde and Dean Johnson ( @deanjohnsongs ) will be hitting the road this fall for a co-headlining tour, starting in western Canada, down to Texas, and back up to the PNW.

It’s something you don’t wanna miss. I’m already regretting that I might 💔
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#roaddogpostcards #catclyde #deanjohnson by @mdangerv

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8 days ago

#ameriwhatever 2026 by @mdangerv

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11 days ago

Earlier this year I invited my pal @mdangerv at @westernaf to join us on tour. He captured some beautiful moments and tender snaps of our time together on the road, which we just shared in a tour diary for @floodmagazine along with my commentary.

Check it out in the link in my bio 🪄🪄🪄

📸 @mdangerv by @mdangerv

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14 days ago

Provenza is the treatment that House District 45 has depended on for years to expose corruption, fight for government transparency and accountability, and flat-out demand that the legislature honor the Wyoming Constitution.

You can vote for Karlee Provenza for the Wyoming House of Representatives for House District 45 between October 6th and November 3rd to continue the cure for Freedom Caucus-Itis.

Obviously, Provenza is not an FDA approved drug, or a drug at all.
#wyoming

Producer and Cinematographer: Mike Vanata @mdangerv
Directors: Kim Lockhart and Sean Coyle
Physician: (Not) Rod Miller @rodmillerwy taken in Laramie, Wyoming by @mdangerv

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a month ago

@melmunizmusica at @jacumbapresents 2026
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#waf taken in Jacumba Hot Springs, California by @mdangerv

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a month ago

A real life cowpoke named @jade_brobro
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#waf by @mdangerv

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a month ago

With @irenediaz and @ukanttouchthis on the LA River
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#waf by @mdangerv

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a month ago

Hola Nevada
Buenos Dias California
Lo siento New Mexico
Echo de menos Wyoming by @mdangerv

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a month ago

All hail my brother @natmyersyall for having me TM and hang at Winnipeg Folk Fest. Thanks for a great weekend amigo and meeting new and old friends up in the North Country. taken in Winnipeg, Manitoba by @mdangerv

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3 months ago

On summer solstice, Mike convinced me to wander around on the other side of the @westernasfuck rig in an attempt to be myself within the confines of a locked & uncut frame in the field across the road from my family home. I braved an innate fear of the camera & risked contracting Lyme disease all for Luke & good lord —for Loretta. I’ve been that woman, I am that woman. 🫳🏼

Like all of Luke Bell’s music, there’s a story in this song that twirls through my belly and pulls on the soft places in my heart when I hear his vocal in that first bar. I see a bright-eyed & misplaced version of myself dancing with a ghost that’s long gone. I see the first light breaking over a valley I’ll never see again. What a meaningful legacy to have left with all of us mortals bumping into each other, breakin’ each other’s hearts, reaching for lost hands in the dark. Trying to toe the line, trying to be better.

There’s a tune on this record for a whole heart’s worth of the human condition– and if you haven’t yet, I really think you should give it a listen.

I am linking the Luke Bell Memorial Affordable Counseling program in my story – a foundation set up in Luke Bell’s memory for affordable therapy sessions for anyone in need that is walking this earth with their heart stuck in the mud. Let’s take care of each other. 🤍🪽

🎥 @mdangerv
🎼 @lukebellofficial by @mdangerv

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3 months ago

To and from Nashville Trip taken in Nashville, Tennessee by @mdangerv

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3 months ago