My belief in Mississippi Studios as Portland’s premier venue was made whole after my Monday show on June 14, 2010. Approximately 120 friends and fans gathered in the intimate venue to create an atmosphere that was amongst the greatest I’ve known — nothing short of magic.

In an effort to make my Portland homecoming extra special, I had the lovely Jenna Ellefson join me for my personal favorite song Babysitting the Cowboy and then the oh so talented Amy Seeley took stage to join me for 5 more songs; including a couple newbies that will be included on Long Before the Wheel. Both ladies elevated my songs beyond belief and added such grace to the event.

photo by Stephen Kallao

Tyler Stenson & Amy Seeley - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson & Jenna Ellefson - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson & Amy Seeley - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson at Mississippi Studios - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson at Mississippi Studios - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson & Amy Seeley at Mississippi Studios - photo by Brittney Myers

After Amy Seeley left the stage, I was honored to debut my two new songs The Ramblin Kind and Best Laid Plans. Although both went over well, I must admit, the sing-along portion of Best Laid Plans was one of the best moments in my musical career. I’ve never written a song intended for crowd participation — but this one was — and they nailed it. What a thrill to be joined in song by 120 people; singing a song you’ve written. Thank you all for joining me on cue and not hanging me out to dry.

MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS 2010 SET LIST
Welcome the Change
The Road
Babysitting the Cowboy
That Moon
I Get No Sleep
Clover
As the Crow Flies
Daffodils
Ramblin Kind
Better Be Us All
Best Laid Plans
Hallelujah

Beyond that magical evening at Mississippi Studios, my heart was warmed once more upon waking the next morning. My facebook page was full of the kindest words ever pointed in my direction and it confirmed that the crowd took away the same joys that I felt inside — their comments coupled with my inner-glee makes me believe that something special had truly happened on that Monday in June.

In September of 2009, the world lost a true talent — Scotland Barr. He was a singer-songwriter and wordsmith and someone I respected deeply.

In November of 2009, tragedy struck once again and took the life of my peer — Kipp Crawford in a freak biking accident. He was a drummer in Portland in which I’ve shared many stages and beers and laughs.

Though I was never extremely close to either, their lives impacted mine greatly. I’m different because of their lives and their deaths. Both had a story to tell and both were taken long before their time.

This song is my humble tribute to these fine men and musicians — may all your fields be songs and daffodils.

Note: I hate to admit it, but in the video below, I had just written this song and therefore got the first line wrong. It should be “Who was September” … the final recording on my upcoming EP will reflect the correct lyrics and date.

DAFFODILS
by tyler stenson © 2010

Who was September
To decide it was time
To pull your pen from the page
That drew out your line
Since 1965?
-Long before your time.

May your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Singing at the top of their lungs.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

Oh, then November
Would not be outdone
And dimmed that bright old smile
From an Ashland Son
That burned since ’78
-Then all at once faded away.

May your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Sounding out the beat of a drum.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

I for one, hope you found your Sun Years
And finally laid your eyes on some Spanish Dust.
Your words fill up our Paper Dixie Cups,
In a cheers to you,
One of the few who knew love.

So, may all your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Singing at the top of their lungs.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be returning to Portland and playing at the legendary Mississippi Studios on Monday June 14, 2010. I’m teaming up with Myk Gordon and Justin Jude to bring together a lovely event that will be fitting for such a phenomenal venue.

I’ll be bringing many new songs home with me from Nashville and I know Justin and Myk will do their part in making it a special evening that you won’t want to miss. These are the nights I live for — see you there!

Tyler Stenson @ Misssissippi Studios
Monday June 14, 2010 @ 7pm

3939 North Mississippi Avenue
Portland, OR 97227-1162
(503) 753-4473

Tyler Stenson live at Mississippi Studios - June 14, 2010

Friday May 7th (tomorrow) I will be playing a showcase at Nashville’s Listening Room Cafe. This should be a wonderful event because not only do I get to play a rare 30-minute showcase, but I’ll be sandwiched by some lovely talent on both sides and it’s all for a cause!

As many of you know, Nashville has been struck by devastating floods that have displaced many. Knowing this, there will be no charge at the door but we will be accepting donations to assist those that were affected by the floods. Good music for a good cause.

Yep, Melissa Bollea, Loni Rose, Wendy Newcomer and Becky Schlegel will all be playing in a writers rounds before me and then Amanda Broadway will be joining me for harmonies during my set afterward.

The poster below says it all but please join me for my showcase that awaits and help those in need at this time. Spread the word!

Tyler Stenson @ the Listening Room Cafe
Friday May 7th — 6:30pm

As a performing musician, I’ve encountered many bizarre things in my day from the vantage point of the stage; fights, couples breaking up, shameless PDA, drunkards, flashers, etc, etc. It has been an entertaining ride and I know each show I play will bring me a new life experience. This last Friday was no exception.

I showed up to play a very standard coffee shop and though the crowd numbers were thin, the vibe was all good. Midway through the evening, a stream of girls came in off the street and started taking pictures of me — one thing I noticed instantly was the fact that they weren’t looking directly at me. Like a person with a lazy-eye, they seemed to be looking beyond me at something in the distance.

As I dismounted the stage a bit later, I was told by a friend that I should go outside and talk with them because they had a question for me. I complied.

As it turns out, it was a bachelorette party and the goal of the evening was to snap pictures of the bachelorette, outfitted with a penis hat, in as many scenarios as possible. As you can see in the pictures below, this was phase one … me on stage … with the penis hat in the background.

The ultimate question they wanted to ask was if I would sign the penis. Sure, why not. With a smile on my face, I signed the phallic mass, all the while thinking, “this is a first.”

Monday April 5th, 2010 was a very special day — it marks my first performance in Nashville with a band. Yes, it was a stripped-down minimalist trio but it was something other than a Writers Round and that alone excited me to no end.

Asked to join the night’s lineup by a few writers that I deeply respect, I was given a nice chunk of time to play my music and therefore wanted to make it special. I was so excited I even played a bit too long … woops:) That said, I asked my friend Amanda Broadway to sing with me and called upon a new friend, Chris Bauer, to play some pedal steel in the cracks.

Below are some videos captured from the evening. It’s not all of them but it’s a nice taste of what went down in the 12th & Porter Lounge.

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

In February I received a very kind write-up in The West Linn Tidings — my hometown’s weekly newspaper. Centered around the release of my new album Bittersweet Parade, writer Nicole DeCosta documented the evening of my release party in grand fashion.

FULL ARTICLE:

STENSON’S HOMECOMING is BITTERSWEET
West Linn Tidings – February 4, 2010 – Nicole Decosta

West Linn High School graduate Tyler Stenson released a CD this month titled Bittersweet Parade and features 11 songs. He recently played at the Crystal Ballroom.

Dimmed lights revealed a packed room of preppy-dressed twentysomethings facing a corner stage. And when Tyler Stenson – with his guitar and dressed in his signature blue jeans – strummed his first chord, the chattering fell silent. Some hushed listeners closed their eyes as Stenson’s biographical lyrics transported them into his head for an hour.

On Jan. 21, singer/songwriter Stenson released his latest album Bittersweet Parade to a packed house of friends, family and some that found his music online and wandered over to see what the parade was outside Lola’s Room beneath the Crystal Ballroom in Portland.

“It’s my birthday and he’s hot,” said Portland resident Anne Kelton, who hadn’t heard the West Linn graduate’s music live before the event.

The line snaking onto West Burnside Street brought many passerby to ask “who’s playing?”

Stenson – voted several times as Portland’s Songwriter of the Year – moved from Portland to Nashville, Tenn. In October to “take his talent to a bigger stage,” as his web site states. His well-received homecoming introduced attendees to Bittersweet Parade, with the same mellow, straightforward poetry set to sounds as his previous release See That Gleam.

On this special night, Stenson’s soft vocals floated through the room with help from his live band. The ambiance was gentle, honest and a year in the making.

“The band is super-dynamic. He’s got great vocals. It’s an honor to see him in Portland,” said Portland resident Maggie Brown whose boyfriend, Jake Oken-Berg, played piano on the CD.

Stenson isn’t just a musician, but a songwriter – he doesn’t just write words that sound cool with music, he unleashes his soul. His passion for the craft can make for sleepless nights, as he documents on his favorite song the album titled I Get No Sleep, inspired by a time when he lived and worked in Portland near a noisy train track.

“I get no sleep with these trains in 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.”

As Stenson introduces new audiences across the country to his sound, he savors his unique songwriting and isn’t afraid to adapt to his new surroundings, as reminded on Welcome the Change.

“I’m in love with the stars because I envy how they hang / As constant constellations in an ever-changing space / I’ve been alive for one instant and I can already feel me fade / Unlike them, I’ve begun to blend like one color against the same / And that ain’t me.”

For more information and to purchase the album visit www.tylerstenson.com. To watch videos with Stenson explaining the songwriting process for each song on the album visit http://www.youtube.com/user/landerband.

Enjoy your Easter weekend to the fullest … then join me and this unique collection of artists on Monday April 5th for a night of beautiful music and post-Easter banter. These are sincerely some of my favorite acts I’ve seen in Nashville and I’m more than honored to share the stage with such a fine crew.

APPROXIMATE PERFORMANCE TIMES:

• Tyler Stenson | 7:00-7:45
• Shelly Fraley | 7:45-8:30
• David Dewese | 8:30-9:15
• Chelsee & Rob | 9:15-10:00

I will be playing with some special guests on this evening so please, spread the word, assemble a mob and help make this a Monday night to remember. Nashvillians Assemble!!

I will be returning to the Northwest next week to attend a friend’s wedding and while I’m home, I’ll be playing two free shows in Portland!! Held at my favorite local haunts, I’m looking forward to keeping things casual and simply enjoying the company of friends. Please, spread the word and join me for one and/or both. Thanks!!

Tyler Stenson - Free Shows in Portland

Please join me for some free shows in Portland, OR … all held at my favorite places:

WED MARCH 24th @ the BUFFALO GAP
6835 Southwest Macadam Ave
Portland, OR 97219

THURS MARCH 25th @ ROCK BOTTOM
206 Southwest Morrison St
Portland, OR 97204

I am proud to announce that I’ve written a song about Wyoming — the last good plot of land. It has been included as track #11 on my newest album Bittersweet Parade and I couldn’t be happier. Hear it and see it below!

BUY/DOWNLOAD WYOMING HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2

WYOMING

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EXPLANATION

MUSIC VIDEO

LIVE PERFORMANCE

LYRICS TO “WYOMING” by TYLER STENSON

The world started to run
With the turning of the sun.
Cities rose from towns
And quiet turned to sound.
That place stayed the same;
That’s Wyoming.

So, the legends say
That explorers tried to explain-
But the beauty that they found
Was too much to write down.
So, in fiction,
They believed to be Wyoming.

Where the clearest sunny days
Quickly turn to rain
But we don’t mind,
Because all of the sweetest smells remains.

I know Adam’s never seen such a scene
(In neither Eden or his dream).
Even Eve would stop to stare
At God’s most perfect square.
That’s one thing I believe;
He made Wyoming.

Where the clearest sunny days
Quickly turn to rain
But we don’t mind,
Because all of the sweetest smells remains.

All the years hang on the wind
Above this last good plot of land.
I hear it echo in the trees.
I hear its whisper on my knees.
Even Dust can be a king
In Wyoming.

Yes, even Dust can be a King,
In Wyoming.

BUY or DOWLOAD WYOMING HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2