Below is a video discussion of the behind-the-scenes background of Better Be Us All, track #3 on my new album Another Gleam — a revealing look at the inspirations, the meanings behind the song, the songwriting process, the recording experience and much more. Enjoy.

BUY ANOTHER GLEAM!!

BETTER BE US ALL
by tyler stenson © 2007

An interesting man I know
Has the Music in his bones.
He writes the songs
But he can’t stand rock n’ roll.
His name is On His Right Hand
As he hides behind a wall
-Somebody’s gonna make it but you know it better be us all.

Older brother,
He’s the dreamer of some dreams-
He stretched out the gray and made it green.
I can see myself in him
(I’m just a little bit too small).
Somebody’s gonna make it but you know it better be us all.

Little brother,
You are not the only one-
Just don’t get burned in the Oklahoma sun.
You’re trying to get to heaven and
I’m just trying not to fall.
Somebody’s gonna make it but you know it better be us all.

I’m a music maker
Trying to make a dream
But getting there is as endless as it seems.
So, I’m gone to California
(Even if I have to crawl)
Because somebody’s gonna make it but you know it better be us all.

So, when I get to California,
I’ll be giving you a call
Because somebody’s gonna make it,
But you know it better be us all.

BUY ANOTHER GLEAM!!

What started as handmade Duct Tape Wallets (together, we handmade and sold over 30,000 wallets), eventually grew into a fashion-forward wallet brand that was sold in over 500 retail shops around the world.

Everything seemed to be going swimmingly until October 15, 2008 — due to the catastrophic economic downturn and other forces outside of our control, we were forced to prematurely shut the doors to the dream.

That disheartening event spring-boarded me into a full-time career in music, so I view it as a blessing in disguise; however, my brother never lost sight of the end goal. He pressed fearlessly forward, took his lumps and has recently risen to fight another round.

That said, he has just initiated a fundraiser via Kickstarter.com to re-launch the company — not a fundraiser but a pre-order campaign — you pay for wallets now, he gets the ball rolling, you get wallets sooner than later.

Please watch the video below, read the info and get yourself a wallet or 17. Every bit helps.

NOTE: My brother and db clay have made me the man I am today so this is personal. Your support is much much much appreciated. Thank you.

PRE-ORDER YOUR WALLET HERE

A NOTE FROM MY BROTHER…

HELLO EVERYONE!
My name is Garett and I’m a Wallet maker. Thanks for visiting my Kickstarter page and hearing my story. With your contribution I hope to relaunch my company db clay with a new collection of designer Wallets I’ve titled LINE 0.0 (zero point zero). I have the ideas, the relationships, the next product line designed and the business infrastructure in place — I simply need help financing production for my next batch of inventory! See below to preview the new product assortment and click on the links to PREORDER your very own unique Wallet from LINE 0.0. Thanks in advance for supporting my project – I love db clay sooooo much.

ABOUT DB CLAY
db clay is a universal product design co that I founded in Portland, OR. My primary focus over the years has been making and selling Wallets and my approach has always been to improve my processes and innovate with each new iteration of product. My latest batch is the most minimal to date and although I have been in the Wallet business for more than a decade, LINE 0.0 represents a fresh start for db clay and me. The intent is to create a collection that is uniquely designed, timeless and made of high quality materials (no more Duct Tape!). Wallets have been around seemingly forever, but a db clay Wallet is different than the rest, as they often spark human interaction each time you pull ‘em out. “Hey, where did you get that Wallet?” db clay has been starting conversations like this since 1998.

WHAT IS LINE 0.0?
LINE 0.0 is a light, compact, slim and new Wallet body style produced by db clay. I designed this 4-pocket beauty to be as little as possible while still functioning as a Wallet should by carrying your daily essentials: ID, a few cards, cold hard cash and some misc items such as a public transit pass or a cute picture of your puppy. Overall, I was aiming to minimize back-pocket bulk but I also made it small enough to fit in a grab and go clutch or a fancy handbag too. I invented these Wallets for YOU to enjoy, but keep in mind, they also make great gifts for all the great folks in your life. Friends, family, coworkers, significant others, clients, etc.

To begin, LINE 0.0 will come in (5) different exterior designs for you to pick from if you choose to back this project — see designs previewed below. Once you have made your contribution of at least $35, you’ll be able to select your favorite individual piece of Pocket Art… or scoop up the whole set for $175 while you’re at it! Disclaimer: to be able to begin production we need to sell at least 500 units of each design in order to meet our manufacturer’s minimum requirements… so please help spread the word!

HOW TO HELP/PREORDER
I’m excited to get LINE 0.0 produced and db clay up and running again. So here is where I humbly ask for your help!! I have personally handmade about 30,000 Wallets in my life and creating stuff is in my blood. I am dedicated to this project and to you, the community that supports it. I aim to Kickstart db clay in 2011 with the introduction of LINE 0.0. Following this campaign I plan to keep things simple early on, and then over time, I have plans to incrementally regrow db clay into a much broader line of products, accessories and mobile applications (yes, even software!). With your favor and backing of this project, I’d like nothing more than to continue on this journey. By pledging a minimum of $35 you can join in on the fun along the way!

Again, thanks to all in advance for your contributions and support!

GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL

EXPLANATION

LIVE PERFORMANCE

LYRICS TO “GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL” by TYLER STENSON

There’s only one thing certain in this life;
If you breathe, one day you will die.
With any luck, they’ll show up 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.
Somewhere on this great timeline
I’m confident they’ll call this a Golden Day.

If there was ever one thing certain in this life;
If you breathe, one day you will die.
But look at them all 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.
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.

BUY or DOWLOAD GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2

As of October 15th, I am officially taking the plunge into all things music. Yep, come Wednesday, I no longer have the day job and I’m excited and committed to making music my livelihood. This is obviously a big commitment but if music is what I love; it’s what I should do.

RIP db clay… truly a great man’s funeral.

That said, I’m publicly and proudly making myself available for all things music. I’m focusing on private events and intimate gatherings so as the Holidays approach, if you or anyone you know is wanting to host a party, a concert, a dinner party, a wedding, an employee appreciation night, a living room serenade or anything of the sort, consider me yours. I plan on traveling a lot so no destination is too far.

If you want my body and you think I’m sexy, come on baby book me now!

I have a million ideas in my head about how to make this road prosperous. I’ll be spending the next months writing, recording, seeking management, spamming people, playing in your living room and building my presence nationwide… wish me luck!

Thank you for your continued support and wish me luck in the musical baptism; on that day, we are all things music.