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

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.

Today is the eve of what I believe to be my best show in Nashville (to date). I’ll be playing at a lovely place called The Listening Room and I’ll be joined by a slew of talent. I’m extra excited for this showcase because I get to play twice as many songs as usual and it will be broadcast LIVE on UARadio.net!!! No matter where you are, I hope you’ll join me for my show tomorrow night … whether it’s in person or online. Thanks!

THE LISTENING ROOM
209 10th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203-4124

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!

Loenard Cohen’s Hallelujah (made famous by Jeff Buckley) has recently become a staple in my set and a shining star in my repertoire. Whether it’s played in a vaulted auditorium or a crowded bar, it seems that this song demands a respect. Though it sometimes gets a Shrek Soundtrack shout-out, it ultimately gains a reverent attention from the masses and has tendency to be very emotionally moving.

When I first made the decision to learn the song, I went online to track down the lyrics. To my surprise, I’m led to understand that Cohen originally wrote roughly 80 verses to his epic ballad and countless individual artists have since contributed their own interpretations across the years.

In the spirit of this co-op, I decided to learn a few of my favorite verses from Cohen’s original, as well as, humbly contribute my own verse to history. The video below from my AcousticConversations podcast, displays my version of Hallelujah and offers up my original verse:

Father, can you hear me now?
If you can, please scream out loud
Because I need to believe I’m getting through to ya.
I know it’s been the longest time,
But if you can hear me, show me a sign
And make the words I sing, sing Hallelujah.

Thank you Mr. Cohen for such a beautiful contribution to music.

Back in January I did a podcast with the guys at AcousticConversations.com. Top to bottom it was the most comprehensive interview I’ve ever done and I’m proud to say it was all recorded for posterity. As a result, I now have this 52 min podcast that you can listen to by clicking here or on the image below. Thanks Peter Wright and Curt Siffert for such a fine conversation.

The Big Hearts performance from Artichoke Music is now posted to YouTube for posterity. This song was written for some very close friends of mine that have amazing hearts- constantly helping mine grow. Though I could never thank them enough for their grace, let this song be my humble attempt. This is quietly one of my favorite songs so I hope you enjoy it too.

Watch the video then listen to the studio version:

BIG HEARTS

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Heaven knows I’d wait to feel another breeze.
To lay beneath another sun.
Germany here I come.

Big hearts are filling up the hemispheres.
Big hearts are warming up the coldest years.
They’ll lay beside me forever more
Cause big hearts make mine grow.

Growing everyday and softly resting miles away.
I swear Heaven was exploding there-
It’s filling up the air.

Big hearts are filling up the hemispheres.
Big hearts are warming up the coldest years.
They’ll lay beside me forever more
Cause big hearts make mine grow.
Big Hearts are Full Moons and Northern Lights
They come full circle to defy science.
Big Hearts are freight trains that push me along-
Shine out the clearer;
Shine on.
Big Hearts are factories of Godlight Beams
That just get brighter as the daylight recedes.

A month ago, I made up my mind that I was going to write a song about Wyoming. The inspiration was there, the love of subject was there and my writing had finally returned after months of drought. I finished it (proudly) last week just in time for the Artichoke concert.

I wanted this song to be deep, heartfelt and human. I wanted it to really express the beauty within the state and the air that flows through it. With that said, it spoke for itself and I had written three of the four verses before finally hitting a wall. In search of some final inspiration, I went to Wikipedia to gain a little insight on Wyoming and her history.

Above is the song’s debut at Artichoke Music. The lyrics to Wyoming should reflect my love but above all, tell a story and pay tribute to the last good plot of land.

I picked up the Artichoke concert DVD from EMA Video on Tuesday afternoon. Between then and now, I’ve managed to cut up the film enough to post a couple songs on YouTube (including this version of Cellophane). I am no video editor but over the next couple weeks I will pretend to be one as I release the Artichoke footage bit by bit. Here is Cellophane from last Thursday’s performance… the rest will come with time.

In February I competed for the title of the PSA Portland Songwriter of the Year and won! Now, in April the PSA is hosting an intimate night at Artichoke Music to celebrate the winner and showcase an hour of my original music.

I’m very honored to have received this award so I’d like to share this evening with those that are closest to me and have supported and inspired my passion.

-Seating is limited (60 people)
-All ages welcome… but no screaming kids:)
-$3 at the door
- Show will be recorded (audio + video)

SHOW SCHEDULE:
Songwriters in the Round: 7:30 – 8:15
Intermission/set-up
Tyler Stenson Showcase: 8:30 – 9:30