As you know, in May, I set out southbound on my first Tour. I played as much music on the west coast as I possibly could through California, Arizona, Utah and Idaho… it was a month of highs and lows and lessons learned. In all, though I’d do it differently next time, it was something I had to do and I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. Sure, I got my war wounds but I believe I’m better for it.

JOIN ME FOR THE SONG’S DEBUT @ MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
Saturday June 27 – doors at 7pm

FIGHT ‘TIL DYING DAY
by tyler stenson (2009)

As long as I recall I’ve felt the music in my bones
And I was bound to (one day) take that music to the road
Where I would fill the room with strangers and make them smile as I play;
That boy in my war sure tried but fell upon grenades.
That boy in my war gets tired but he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

I hit California with a smile on my face
But then I soon left San Francisco with my tail between my legs-
I swear, I was good as I could be on any given time of day
Still, that boy in my war sure tried but fell upon grenades.
That boy in my war gets tired but he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

We blow like leaves in the wind
But I’ll be proud to know that at least I can be my own man-
Not that boy.

I burned a bridge in the desert and left Arizona northbound
And thought If it’s not in Salt Lake, is it Oregon where it’ll be found?
On certain nights the notes felt bright and on others they would fade
Still, that boy in my war sure tried but fell upon grenades.
That boy in my war gets tired but he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

I may blow like leaves in the wind
But I’ll be proud to know that at least I can be my own man-
Not that boy.

Every time it rained, it was my confidences wearing thin
So I had to believe this lonely road would bring ‘em back again.
But there’s nothing louder in my bones and it’s something I won’t trade
So, that boy in my war sure tried but fell upon grenades.
That boy in my war gets tired but he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

There was a time, not too long ago, when I was living and working with a train track in my backyard. No matter where I was in my day, the trains were rumbling. In addition to the trains, life was turbulent and I was sleeping little to none- this song first arose late during one of those sleepless nights over a year ago. With some hard work and much thought, I completed it an hour ago.

JOIN ME FOR THE SONG’S DEBUT @ MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
Saturday June 27 – doors at 7pm

I GET NO SLEEP
by tyler stenson (2009)

I get no sleep
Try as I might
Because I don’t see no day
And there’s sure as hell no night.

No, it’s somewhere in between
Still, I can’t buy a dream.
I should be a world away
But the ceiling’s all I see.

I get no sleep with these trains inside my head.
As far as I can see, I’ve got tracks running down both sides.
It started as a steady hum-
Became a war-time drum
And eventually north and southbound collide.
I get no sleep with these trains inside my head.

Then, history repeats
And the city never sleeps
And I can hear the trains
No matter how soft they creep.

Can you hear them world?
The wolves are at my door;
I’ve got nothing to my name
And still they ask for more.

I get no sleep with these trains inside my head.
As far as I can see, I’ve got tracks running down both sides.
It started as a steady hum-
Became a war-time drum
And eventually north and southbound collide.
I get no sleep with these trains inside my head.

I get no sleep with these trains inside my head.

Last October something close to me began its decent. Not a man in the literal sense but still something that closely resembled the heart beat of a beloved mentor. This new song “Great Man’s Funeral” is a bitter sweet tale of the circle of life- the rise and fall and its constant learning.

JOIN ME FOR THE SONG’S DEBUT @ MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
Saturday June 27 – doors at 7pm

GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL
by tyler stenson (2009)

There is one thing certain in this life;
If you breathe, one day you will die.
Ah, look at them standing in a line
Making sure that your memory is soaked in wine.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.

I do believe you’re gone before your time
And that my days in your sunshine were kind
And the education gained along the way
Was good as gold and all its accolades.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.
Somewhere on this great timeline
I’m confident they’ll call this a Golden Day.

I’m a better man for bleeding almost dry-
My bag of bones is a medal of that pride.
I can’t believe we lived to tell how we survived
(Cause it seems to me) we starved 40 days and nights.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.

This house of cards is stronger than hay
So, let those wolves come and take what they may.
They didn’t kill us then, they won’t kill us now-
They’ll just huff and puff and tell us how if feels
When they fail to create.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.
Somewhere on this great timeline
I’m confident they’ll call this a Golden Day.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade
And the simple fact I knew him when
Will long and always be my claim to fame.

Moments ago, I finalized my newest song “As the Crow Flies” and I’m extraordinarily happy with the results. As you may or may not know, I was recently away from home for 6 weeks; up and down the west coast and eventually over into Europe. Somewhere in my travels I caught myself longing for the comforts of home…

JOIN ME FOR THE SONG’S DEBUT @ MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
Saturday June 27th – doors at 7pm

AS THE CROW FLIES:
by tyler stenson (2009)

I blew all the way down to Arizona
Then, like a leaf, I settled down into Rome
And somewhere in between me and Barcelona
I heard the rush of the wind calling Home.

I could see 7 miles into the distance
Before the earth began its curve out of site
And I leaned to the wind to feel a resistance;
To let me know I’m not a bird- I don’t fly.

I won’t take my time or circle ’round
Or weave my way through busy towns
Cause I could get lost if I miss a sign.
I’ll take the shortest path between you and I
And cut right through in a perfect line
And come to you as the crow flies.

From where I stand Home is like a middle daughter-
Just a dot, on the map, in a world
And I’m reminded wheels don’t roll on water
So, tell me lies; Tell me I am a bird.

I won’t take my time or circle ’round
Or weave my way through busy towns
Cause I could get lost if I miss a sign.
I’ll take the shortest path between you and I
And cut right through in a perfect line
And come to you as the crow flies.

I will come to you as the crow flies.

My bestest friend Adam Herman and I recently crossed the Atlantic and ended up in Europe; Barcelona and Rome to be exact. In total we spent seven days in Barcelona and four days in Rome… we agreed the trip was simply epic. Though the pictures refuse to tell the whole story and the memories therein, below is a brief account of our European adventure.

The Trevi Fountain was a popular haunt for us. On most nights we found ourselves joining the crowds, making wishes and gazing tirelessly at the lights and the water. There was something very enormous about uncorking a bottle of red wine and talking to no end with a good friend.

One of my favorite sites was The Pantheon; the oldest church in Rome. Maybe it’s because it was the first truly Roman structure I saw or maybe it was that first bottle of wine in public… either way, breathtaking.

St. Peter’s Square was larger than life- a true testament to the result of faith, passion and pride. Even the most godless man would marvel at the artistic achievements within the walls of Vatican City. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures, but Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel was my favorite site in all of Rome, period.

My second favorite site was the Coliseum/Forum combo. To walk those grounds was to experience a rich history. I couldn’t help but gawk at the craftsmanship and sheer man hours that must have gone into these structures- marvels in their own time and now. Be it The Senate, Julius Caesar or the Gladiators, there is a clear reason for the infamy of the Roman Empire.

Though the pictures are less plentiful, the majority of our time was spent in Barcelona. This picture below was taken on our last day during a day-trip to Begur, a small Spanish village built around a Mediterranean cove. Traveling back dirt roads (that I’m sure are traveled by few), we were spit out into this scene and spent the day lounging in the rough sand, in the shade by the sea.

I’ll be returning to my favorite venue in Portland for a very special evening with new guest musicians and the debut of some new songs. I’m working very hard to make this extra enjoyable and unique- the tricks up my sleeve will make it so.

In addition, the show will be a live audio/video recording so I hope you’ll tell your friends and join me for this soon-to-be immortal concert event. Details are below.

THE MISSISSIPPI LINE UP:
Doors @ 7:00
Riva Devito @ 8:00
Buoy Larue @ 9:00
Tyler Stenson @ 10PM
Runaway Norm @ 11PM
Get your tickets here!