With the onset of the New Year, I’ve spent a lot of time re-evaluating my musical approach and the arsenal that backs it. It seems that so much has happened in the last year that it was absolutely necessary that I revamp my EPK (electronic press kit) and illustrate my growth as an artist — because there has been much.

It took some time to compile, but I am extremely proud to present my 2010 EPK. Give it a look and feel free to pass it along to anyone that may be interested. Thanks!!

To view the EPK, click here or on the image below.

To view the EPK, click here or on the image above. Enjoy!!

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!!

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.

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

I found an article written by Pete Wright regarding our Acoustic Conversation Podcast from earlier this year. I hadn’t seen this before and upon reading it, I was honored to be taken so seriously. I had an amazing time doing the podcast with the Acoustic Conversation boys (Pete Write and Curt Siffert) and I’d be honored to do it again some day when I can report on my success since our last conversation.

To read the entire article, click here or on the image below.

To hear the podcast, click here.

tyler stenson on fifth and main

I awoke today to find that the Willamette Week has written an article about my upcoming move to Nashville, TN. I interviewed for the piece last week with writer Mark Stock and was pleasantly surprised to see it published – kind words and all. Thank you Mark and the Willamette Week for noticing my musical efforts in Portland and illuminating my road as I exit. Read the full article here or by clicking on the image below.

Tyler Stenson in the Willamette Week 09-09-09

As mentioned in the article, my farewell show is THIS FRIDAY at the Aladdin Theater. It would mean the world to me to have you there and joining in my final show in Portland for some time. Thank you one and all for your endless support across the years.

TYLER STENSON @ THE ALADDIN THEATER
Friday September 11th w/ Redwood Son, Physical Hearts and NIAYH

- All ages welcome!
- $10 adv, $15 day of show
- Get tickets and Info HERE
- Tell the world!!!

My article from the West Linn Tidings was just picked up by the Portland Tribune as well! The content here is nothing new– just hosted by someone else with a new header. Regardless, I’m happy to see it spreading.

Tyler Stenson in the Portland Tribune

You may or may not know that after my family left Wyoming, we moved to a small suburb called West Linn, OR. I recently caught up with Nicole Decosta (a writer for the West Linn Tidings) and answered some questions about my life and music career post West Linn. The article below landed on the front page of today’s paper- click on the image below to read the full feature!

Tyler Stenson in the West Linn Tidings

Click here to read the full feature!

There is a new music resource on the scene called Project Perch– they are all about promoting artists, writers, music, art and literature. Coincidentally, they did a review on my music and had some kind words to say about See That Gleam. Best of luck to the folks at Project Perch… especially Austi.

Tyler Stenson on Project Perch

Tyler Stenson’s most recent album bleeds honesty. See That Gleam is a combination of several emotions, each as visceral as the last. Reaching more human chords than simply love and loss, See That Gleam awakens dormant feelings that run the gamut of human experience. Listening to the album arouses feelings wistful to exultant; hopeful, then dismayed; reminiscent, then ennobling. Musically satisfying, the album is never predictable or formulaic. The timbre of the album is universal enough to be enjoyed by listeners of all tastes, yet carries a distinct sound that prevents it from being trite. Combining the musical richness with Stenson’s mastery of lyrical imagery, the album never smacks of cliché, allowing the listener to trust the truth gleaned from the experience.

The Portland State University Daily Vanguard ran an article on yours truly with an interview enclosed. I want to thank staff writer Richard D. Oxley for the write-up and the choice opportunity to introduce myself to the students.

Below is the article in full, but you can also go directly to the source here.

Three Chords and the Truth
Tyler Stenson finds his voice

Richard D. Oxley
Vanguard Staff
Published: Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Tyler Stenson in the Daily Vanguard

Tyler Stenson moved to Portland at a young age, though all his life he has carried with him what he calls “the Wyoming way,” a holdover from the place of his birth. Listening to his music, one can hear this Wyoming posture through his organic Americana sound.

Singing had always been a part of Stenson’s life, though his path with the guitar only started in 1999, when he picked up a few chords. These days, Stenson and his guitar can be found all over Portland, spreading his sound. Stenson was generous enough to give the Vanguard a few words on his musical world.

Richard D. Oxley: Is there a style you aim for?
Tyler Stenson: My goal is to write music that is authentic, heartfelt and human—I’d rather put a lump in your throat than make you tap your toe. The artists that I’m personally drawn to are saying something accessible but in uniquely poetic ways—interesting vocabulary, word order, phrasing, etc.—and I strive to model that. In the end, I want my music to be timeless and personal, and I find this inherently surfaces in “rootsy” acoustic songs.

RO: How many recordings do you officially have under your belt so far?
TS: Technically, I’ve recorded six albums but only four are available. I plan on releasing one of the unreleased albums as soon as I can afford it but, with a smile, I plan on never releasing the other.

Browse and buy all of the albums here!

RO: Why won’t you release that album?
TS: Oh, quite simply, it is my first album that only my family and closest friends get to hear. I smile because it takes me back to that era in my life when I had just learned the guitar and written my first couple songs. Very vintage, haha. Every step is a learning experience, but this is definitely the most novice album of the bunch. I may be my own harshest critic, but it’s not worth the monetary investment to see it through to a public release.

RO: Any plans to record further?
TS: Absolutely. I have my seventh album mostly written and ready to start recording, however, this portion of the music industry is a financial dance. As an independent artist I am more prolific than my pocketbook allows. Writing songs is one thing, but when it comes to recording and releasing albums, I am at the mercy of my finances.

RO: Any venues you have played that you prefer or enjoyed more than others?
TS: My favorite venues in Portland (that I’ve played) are Mississippi Studios, Artichoke Music, Lola’s Room and Doug Fir. These are places that people pay to see a concert and they act accordingly. Of course I love my Buffalo Gap and Macadam’s Bar and Grill, but, with my intimate style, I’m a sucker for a captive audience and the “concert” venues that suit me, my ideal situation and where my music is heading.

Check out videos from the shows here!

RO: How important are lyrics to you as opposed to their musical counterpart?
TS: I’ve said it before but I write under the mantra of “three chords and the truth.” My guitar progressions and various movements generally surface within one day but my lyrics safely spend years on the brain before becoming official. In my eyes, I’m not doing anything on my guitar that hasn’t already been done, but I’d like to believe my lyrics (and the care I give them) are my unique ingredient that keeps my crowds growing and coming back for more.

RO: When considering the context of your songs, are they fictional, biographical, issue-themed, etc? Do you like to write story-based songs, or more poetic?
TS: I pride myself on the fact that I’ve never written an emotionally generic song … meaning, I don’t write something if I don’t mean it. If it didn’t actually happen, it doesn’t get mentioned. I don’t write about heartache if my heart is whole. I don’t write about losing my job if I’m employed. I don’t write about being in love if I’m not.

This may back me into a corner someday, but for now, all of my music is a heightened reality—actual events, actual people, actual quotes. Some would say it is biographical to a fault.

RO: Musically, are there any artists that you draw from or are influenced by?
TS: I tend to wear my influences on my sleeve to a fault. In the past when I had musicians that I adored, I started to write like them, sound like them, etc. These days, I’ve pulled away from being a music listener and have adopted my role as a music maker. I’ve found the less I listen to other artists, the more true to myself I can be.

That said, I’m not living under a rock and I can still enjoy an album from time to time. I’ve been influenced by James Taylor, Josh Ritter, Adam Duritz [Counting Crows], Jason Ross [Seven Mary Three], Damien Rice, Bob Dylan, Garth Brooks, Ryan Adams….

RO: If you could team up with any artist dead or living, who would it be?
TS: Josh Ritter. I’ve always admired his style and his career path. I like that he has balanced poetry and accessibility. I like his brand. I like his venue choices. I like his timeless approach and his obvious love for his music and profession. “I’m singing for the love of it; have mercy on the man that sings to be adored.”

RO: If there were a sandwich made in honor of Tyler Stenson, what would it be called and what would it be made out of?
TS: This is a difficult question to answer considering I’m clinically insane when it comes to French dip sandwiches. It has been described as a nervous tick (by my friends) … If I go to a restaurant and see French dip on the menu, I don’t need to look any further.

That said, I would be made of red meat, cheese, onion and something involving garlic. They would call it the “Look No Further Dip.”