I enlisted the help of a full band this last weekend at Someday Lounge in debuting a number of songs from the upcoming album. Above all, I’d say one of my favorite songs of the night was a brand new one called Lover Things — it just felt good.

That said, below is a video of the inaugural performance of Lover Things with lyrics added in an effort to combat the crowd noise. Enjoy the new tune and look for it to be on my new record, Some Days I’m a Lion, in June 2012.

Two years ago, just before my stint in Nashville, I was invited to collaborate with Portland-based hip hop artist, Madgesdiq. He was writing a new album and, in addition to himself, he wanted to feature multiple artists … I’m lucky enough to have gotten the call to be the folky flare on Rastamerica.

While I don’t do a lot of co-writing in my career, I was truly honored to be a part of this project. Admittedly, I was a bit intimidated upon arrival but the unfounded tension soon eased and we were eventually left to do what we do best — write a song.

The resulting tune, World without Walls, is something truly special — it’s about a world without discrimination, judgement, genocide, prejudice, war and all of the other walls that drag us down as a human race — equality and harmony at its finest.

In the end, if ever you believe that this utopic world could never exist and that there will always be walls between men, just know that this song was a collaboration between a 6-foot-4 black hip hop artist with waste-long dreadlocks and a 5-foot-8 white dude with a crew-cut and a healthy twang — unalike on the surface but the same underneath.

Enjoy it. Live it.

WORLD without WALLS (feat. Tyler Stenson):
by Madgesdiq © 2012

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DOWNLOAD WORLD WITHOUT WALLS ON iTUNES

DOWNLOAD WORLD WITHOUT WALLS ON iTUNES

In the 100+ songs that I’ve written, only a handful have been written in a single day. Yesterday was one of those special lightening-strikes of inspiration. Although this is an extremely rough recording of an early version that will surely evolve over time (as I get more comfortable with the nuances), I’d like to introduce my newest song, This Too Shall Pass.

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This Too Shall Pass
by tyler stenson © 2012

So, you’ve fallen behind
Oh no, not again
And you can see that you are
Hard-pressed against a wind
That hits just like a hammer
On a nail that’s bent
Oh no, not again.
Oh no, not again.

Oh, I know these days are hard
And I know it’s hard to last
But, believe you me,
Just sturdy up your heart
And this too shall pass.

So, there are wars being waged
But they’re not your voice
And good love has gone away
But it wasn’t by choice
If it’s out of your hands
But you just can’t let go
And there’s a whole lot on your mind
But a whole lotta no one to show

Oh, I know these days are hard
And I know it’s hard to last
But, believe you me,
Just sturdy up your heart
And this too shall pass.

So, you’ve fallen behind
Oh, no, not again
And you can see that you are
Hard-pressed against a wind
That hits just like a hammer
On a nail that’s bent
Oh no, not again.
Oh no, not again.

Oh, I know these days are hard
And I know it’s hard to last
But, believe you me,
Just sturdy up your heart
And this too shall pass.

I was recently invited to perform on Live from the Yellow Room — a new video series that’s hosted by Peter Rodocker of the Yellow Room Recording studio where I’ll be recording my next album. This is a great new series that features some of Portland’s finest indie artists, so I was glad to be part of it in performing my song Better Be Us All.

Song: “Better Be Us All”
Host: Peter Rodocker
Cameraman: Chris Duggan
Video Editor: Thom Lyons

DOWNLOAD “BETTER BE US ALL” NOW!!

I recently got the opportunity to perform on Live Wire! Radio Episode 163 — a stellar variety show that is recorded live in Portland, OR and broadcast on OPB radio for the masses.

In addition to being the featured musical guest, also on the show was acclaimed author, David Guterson, and actors Silas Weir Mitchell and Bitsie Tulloch from the new NBC television show GRIMM. In all, it was a fantastic evening of fine spirits and entertainment and it’s now posted as a podcast for your listening enjoyment.

NOTE: My performance of Great Man’s Funeral can be heard at minute-mark 7:30 and my performance of Better Be Us All can be heard at minute-mark 50:50. Spread the word!

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE

DOWNLOAD GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL HERE: www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2
DOWNLOAD BETTER BE US ALL HERE: www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson4

I was recently asked by Redwood Son to design a concert poster for his upcoming performance at the McMenamins St John’s Theater, a show that will be dedicated to his former friend and drummer, Kipp Crawford, a shining light that was taken from us, long before his time. The show will mark the 2-year anniversary of Kipps’s tragic death and all proceeds will be donated to Kipp’s Memorial Fund to benefit Ashland Schools. The poster is below.

Redwood Son at McMenamins St John’s Theater
A dedicated performance for the Kipp Crawford Memorial Fund
Friday November 4th @ 7pm

PERFORMANCES BY:
Redwood Son
Celilo
Fractal
Thanks Kipp
and many other special guests

GET MORE INFO ABOUT THE SHOW HERE OR BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE BELOW!!

Although my encounters with Kipp were much more minimal than some, I was certainly affected by his passing — if you’ll recall, I wrote a song called Daffodils that penned him into the second verse and chorus. I believe this is a grand cause and hope you’ll join Redwood Son for the dedicated performance to the Kipp Crawford Memorial Fund.

DOWNLOAD DAFFODILS NOW

As mentioned before, I will be performing TOMORROW at the Live Wire! Radio variety show at the Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR. It is quite an honor to be invited to perform at this renowned production and live broadcast, so I’ll aim to do my part in making it as stellar as its reputation demands.

Because it’s a variety show, I am simply a part of the whole and therefore only get two songs. Best foot forward, right? That said, I’ll be playing Great Man’s Funeral and Better Be Us All.

It’s always hard to chose which few of my many songs to play (when limited) but I think this will be a nice mix for the Live Wire! folks. Please join us for this fine event.

Live Wire! Radio Variety Show
@ The Alberta Rose Theatre
Saturday October 22, 2011 at 7:30 PM
3000 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
Minors OK when accompanied by a parent or guardian

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

This is an original song that I wrote in 2010 but I wanted to post it today, with lyrics, because I’m often told by my fans that reading along with the fast-paced lyrics helped them to appreciate this tale to the fullest. A detailed story about a full-moon hike through Poly Canyon in San Luis Obispo, CA, That Moon was one of my favorite songs to write and absolutely one of my favorite songs to perform.

DOWNLOAD ON CD BABY: www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson3
DOWNLOAD ON iTUNES: http://bit.ly/cZFbma

I was in the Kink.fm studios today and had a pleasant conversation with Inessa that will be featured on tonight’s Kink.fm Local Music Spotlight. Between opening for Chris Isaak in July, opening for Alpha Rev tomorrow at the Aladdin Theater and a new management agreement in the works, we had much to discuss — and discuss we did.

Here is the link to the full interview: http://bit.ly/n8PFNE

TO BE TRANSPARENT, THIS INTERVIEW WAS TO PROMOTE:
1) I’m opening for Alpha Rev at the Aladdin Theater on 9/14
2) I’m playing on the Kink.fm Early Escape Cruise on 9/16
3) I’m playing at the Alberta Rose Theater on 9/29

Tune in tonight to hear the discussion and my song Daffodils live on the air!!

Five months after having experienced one of the greatest moments of my musical life, I bring you documented proof. Below are a few select videos from the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland, OR. If you can’t see it on my face, I assure you, this was a very special evening. Enjoy.

OFTEN & MUCH

BEST LAID PLANS

CANNONBALL

Download the studio version of Cannonball

ROME TOMORROW

Download the studio version of Rome Tomorrow

RADIATE

Download the studio version of Radiate