While in Rome this summer with my buddy Adam, it’s safe to say we had the time of our lives. These short video clips below illustrate just how serious we took ourselves in one of the world’s most historically magnificent settings.

We had just arrived in Rome; spirits were high and Barcelona hadn’t worn off just yet. The map would lead us to our hostel but our spanish would help us with the Roman locals.

Adam and Tyler offer culturally rich commentary from the grounds of the Roman Forum.

In the lights of a true Roman tradition, throw a coin over your shoulder and make a wish. I threw .50 euro so I’m expecting 50x the wish power.

As you can tell, we handled Rome with the utmost of reverence and grace. This was filmed inside the Vatican Museum… can you tell which is a statue and which is Tyler?

Living is for everyone; dying is an art.” The mantra of the slave Gladiators… anything to feel at peace moments before dying. We sound like sober stoners…

On September 25th of 2007, I schemed the lyric, It seems the words have changed and their meanings have faded away. But, when I say, “I love you” I mean it the same way as it was made. That line has been burned in my head (and even inspired a verse of Push That River) but it didn’t live to the fullest until today. On this day, March 2nd of 2010, I have completed a new song called Lover Things.

I’d call it light and sexy — Amos Lee meets Let’s Get it On. Enjoy.

LOVER THINGS
tyler stenson © 2010

I think back to The Garden’s first days
And the reason a woman was made-
I think it was an absolute gesture to say:
So long Emptiness — hello Sweet Grace.

But now it seems the words have changed
And their meanings have faded away.
But, when I say, I love you,
I mean it the same way as it was made.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

Let’s forget about the failed love we see
And how the world is a brand new machine
That drags the lovers through the mud and the things
That mark the furthest point from you and me.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

Even though the words have changed
And the meanings have faded away.
When I say, I love you,
I mean it the same way as it was made.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

I was recently contacted by a new-found fan in the UK that was having trouble ordering my new album Bittersweet Parade from CD Baby. Not sure what the issue was but after going back and forth one-too-many times, we finally worked out a deal where he paid via PayPal and I sent him the album personally.

As you can see, he surprised me by documented the delivery and is currently listening to my new record all the way across the ocean — hopefully spreading the word as he goes.

If you’re from anywhere in the world that bars you from purchasing my new album from iTunes or CD Baby, feel free to contact me personally and I’ll make sure you get ahold of Bittersweet Parade — signature and all.

One of the most special evenings of my lifetime took place on September 11, 2009 — my farewell show at the Aladdin Theater. The videos below are from my Last Waltz in Portland, OR before moving east to Nashville, TN.

WELCOME THE CHANGE

YOU ALREADY KNOW

AS THE CROW FLIES

CELLOPHANE

THE ROAD

WYOMING

EXPLODE

GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL

I GET NO SLEEP

BETTER BE US ALL

Tuesday February 16, 2010 was the day I turned 29 years old. In all honesty, it was a day I had feared for some time — not because of its proximity to the dirty-thirty but because I wasn’t sure who I would spend it with. Now that I’m in Tennessee, I’m removed from my life-long comfort zone and the friends that I have accumulated as a result of sheer history. That said, I found myself asking, Have I made enough of an impact that calls for a birthday party? Of course, I have made friends but much like an airport run, I wasn’t sure who I had reached that level with.

My first instinct was to let the day pass without raising much of a fuss but a lovely friend of mine urged me to live it up. I listened to her advice and sent out the invites. I’ve only known most of them for a matter of weeks/months but I’m proud to say that they made my day as special as the previous 28. Thanks guys!!

With this new year ahead of me, I’ll admit, I feel every bit of 29 and I’m so grateful for that. The years under my belt are invaluable and I feel totally confident that I’m ripe for this new adventure — the ultimate professional push. I’m not the boy I was just a few years ago and though he is missed at times, I’m proud of the man I am at 29.

Thank you mom and dad for giving me life. Thank you mom and dad for raising me right. Thanks brothers and sisters for keeping me grounded and thanks to my friends for making me feel cooler than I am. See you next year — the dirty-thirty:)

Happy Valentines Day one and all. This is a special day for many reasons but to me, none more important than the fact that it’s the one-year anniversary of the completion of my song The Road.

Yep, exactly one year ago I put the pen to paper and navigated my way through the new song. Though I tweaked a few lines over the months to follow, it was written, roughly recorded and given as a Valentines Day gift to a loved one on Feb 14 2009.

In celebration of the one-year anniversary, below are the 2 versions of the song … separated by one very long year.

THE ROAD (Feb 14 2009)

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THE ROAD (Feb 14 2010)

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Time is a funny thing. This song has taken on a whole new meaning across the last year and what was originally written as a private Valetine’s Day confession has become the promoted single off of my new album Bittersweet Parade.

If you enjoy this track, it is up for consideration to be included on the KINK.FM Plug in Portland Sampler. This is a vote based contest, so I would endlessly appreciate your support by voting here.

As you may know, I was just featured on the KINK.FM Local Music Spotlight … it felt good. Though it was short lived, Dean K talked about my music a bit, my new album Bittersweet Parade and then played my song The Road. I was a proud parent when I heard my song on the air waves – always a fun moment.

As a disclaimer, I had a pro audio ripper all ready to go for the broadcast BUT just moments before the segment, I apparently breached the free trial and it started making an awful noise. I scrambled and managed to record it through another program but you’ll notice a bit of a fuzz as a result. As an OCD tech savvy individual, it pains me but you’ll get the idea … I should just be glad that I had a redundancy in place:)

Enjoy The Road on the KINK.FM Local Music Spotlight!!

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PS. If you like the song, be sure to nominate it for the KINK.FM Plug in Portland sampler by going to their website and entering my name (Tyler Stenson) and “The Road” in the appropriate field. Thanks!

I’m proud to announce that my song The Road will be featured TONIGHT (2/11) on the KINK.FM Local Music Spotlight! Tune in locally or stream it from afar during the 9 o’clock hour PST to hear it in all its glory. I’m very proud of the accomplishment and hope it brings great opportunity and more fans like you. Thank you.

Lastly, this same song is up for consideration to be included on the KINK.FM Plug in Portland Sampler. If you enjoy the song, I could use your help in this vote-based contest. Please go to http://www.kink.fm/Local-Music-Spotlight/130403 and vote for my song The Road.

STREAM THE PROGRAM TONIGHT: http://www.kink.fm
VOTE FOR THE ROAD: http://www.kink.fm/Local-Music-Spotlight/130403
LEARN MORE ABOUT TYLER & KINK: http://www.kink.fm/Tyler-Stenson/6341103

Tonight I played the “New Faces Night” at The Basement in Nashville, TN. I booked the show all the way back in October so when it finally arrived, I was excited to say the least. Barring a few technical difficulties, which are part of the game, I feel good about it.

The video below was streamed live online by UARadio.net and the folks back in Portland were able to tune in. Thanks to Julian from UARadio.net for the great service that you offer for guys like me and thanks Monique Roy for lining it all up.

My Bittersweet Parade album release in Portland is only one week away and I am “hella” excited … if you know me, I don’t use that word lightly!! From the bottom of my heart, I hope that you’ll grab a crew and join me for the long-awaited maiden voyage.

PS, there’s still time to recruit so I would appreciate the help in introducing any newbie’s to the mix. Spread the word and join the parade as it passes through town.

BITTERSWEET PARADE (sample mix)

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TS BITTERSWEET PARADE ALBUM RELEASE
@ LOLA’S ROOM (crystal ballroom)
1332 W. Burnside
Portland, Oregon 97209

- Thurs Jan 21st
- Doors at 7:30p
- Music at 8:00p
- Free CD with $12 admission
- Opening act TBA, but they’ll be awesome
- This IS seated so arrive accordingly
- No pre-sale available, buy at door

SAMPLE THE ALBUM HERE:
http://tylerstenson.com/blog/the-bittersweet-parade-has-arrived/

MORE INFO HERE:
http://mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=64&id=145&eventid=78978

Thank you one and all for everything you’ve done along the way. I am “uber” stoked and, if you know me, I don’t use that word lightly either;) Good times ahead absolutely.

PORTLAND ASSEMBLE!!