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!!

My media team and I recently issued a press release on PRWeb.com announcing the launch of my new video EPK. Even though the video has already been wildly successful on its own, we’re hoping that this media release will draw further attention to the video and its purpose.

Both the video EPK and the press release are featured, in full, below. Enjoy!

CLICK TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE ON PRWEB.COM

FULL PRESS RELEASE, AS SEEN ON PRWEB.COM:

DIY Indie Artist Releases Innovative New Video Press Kit That Aims to Tell the Story Beyond the Music

Tyler Stenson is a tenacious DIY musician that has self-funded and self-produced 10 albums in 10 years and now, holding true to his same signature of prolificacy, Stenson has just released a beautifully produced video press kit and promotional reel that aims to tell the story of much more than just the music.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) November 08, 2011

Navigating today’s music industry is much like braving the Wild, Wild West of old; every man for himself. Knowing this cold reality well, Tyler Stenson is a tirelessly tenacious DIY musician that has self-funded and self-produced 10 albums in 10 years and now, holding true to his same signature of prolificacy, Stenson has just released a beautifully produced video EPK (electronic press kit) that aims to tell the story that extends beyond the music.

“My goal in making this video was to leave no doubt about exactly who I am as a musician, but more importantly, a person,” says Stenson about his recently released video press kit. “A website with airbrushed photos and pre-recorded audio can only say so much, and can be manipulated to make you into anyone you want to be – video is much more stark and true.”

From start to finish, the 6-minute video short is all at once humble and dazzling. Blending crisply dynamic footage from multiple live performances, music videos and interviews, the viewer gets an immediate sense of Stenson’s obvious musical ability but is rewarded further by his engaging personability and authenticity.

“I’m not sure anybody’s website alone could persuade an industry power that you’re any different from the rest,” Stenson admits. “My hope is that someone will see the person within this film, crooked teeth and all, and simply say, ‘Yes, I’d like to work with that guy.’”

Although Stenson has nearly 90 videos of substantial quality already posted to his YouTube channel, this newly released video EPK shines with a next-level glow. So much, in fact, that in the first 48 hours, it amassed over 75 community shares on Facebook and nearly 700 unique views on YouTube.

With a number of notable songwriting accolades under his belt, there is zero doubt that Stenson’s music is good enough to take him places but he’s well aware that that just isn’t enough these days. However, with this innovative promotional tool, filmed by Quarter 4 Sports and co-produced alongside with Stenson himself, this DIY musician that built his own website and does all of his own design, booking and promotions, hopes that the story beyond the music will be his maker.

Tyler Stenson is a singer/songwriter in Portland, OR that is increasingly known for his unique brand of elegant folk music. Along with spending 15 months as a singer/songwriter in Nashville, he has been twice-named the “Songwriter of the Year” by the Portland Songwriters Association, “Best Male Artist” at the Portland Music Awards, was nominated for the Wyoming Governor’s Art Award, has opened for famed rocker, Chris Isaak, performed on OPB’s Live Wire! Radio and has 10 studio albums being distributed internationally.

CLICK TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE ON PRWEB.COM

The following content made up my 11/02/11 newsletter titled New Video EPK.

WATCH IT. ENJOY IT. SHARE IT.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: http://youtu.be/LB-w8G91HtQ
I’m proud to announce that I just launched a sparkling new video EPK (electronic press kit) that is a most stellar summary of who I am and where I’m going. It would mean the world to me if you would watch it and share it on Facebook/Twitter with your friends and family.

LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/tylerstensonmusic
If you haven’t already, please “like” my new music page on Facebook and tell your friends to do the same. It takes but an instant and affords me improved future opportunities.

LIVE WIRE! RADIO: http://tylerstenson.com/blog/live-wire-episode-163/
I’m proud to say that I just performed on the Live Wire! Radio Show and the podcast is now available for listening. My two songs are at minute-marker 7:30 and 50:50. Enjoy the show!

NEW ALBUM IN THE SPRING:
I’m currently in pre-production for my optimistic next album, Some Days I’m a Lion, set to be released in the Spring of 2012. This is no doubt my best songwriting to date, so I’m thrilled to one day share it with you and the rest of the world. Stay tuned!

Thank you all for your continued support — it sincerely means the world to me.
Stay in touch and spread the word.

tyler stenson
www.tylerstenson.com

Welcome. This is the official EPK, video press kit and promotional reel for Tyler Stenson, the Portland-based singer/songwriter of “Elegant Folk” music. This 6-minute video has been over a decade in the making and a long-time coming — but timely all at once.

Thanks to the help of Taylor and Matt at Quarter 4 Sports and Beavers without Borders for your equipment, your talent, your dedication to quality and your vision. Without you, the story of my career, my passion and this epic journey, wouldn’t have been told in such a way.

PASS IT ON. SPREAD THE WORD. TELL SOMEBODY.

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

Between the 17 metaphors for growth, all rhyming with oooo, and the dangerously “artsy” nature of the song, writing We Grow was tricky, no doubt. It took close to five years in total and became a most intricate labor of love.

Although it was finally recorded in 2010, I decided to post this new video of the song that features the lyrics. Why? Because I’m often told that reading along with the words has helped fans to better appreciate the message and the many metaphors embedded within. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD WE GROW
CD BABY: http://bit.ly/bDb4xo
iTunes: http://bit.ly/cZFbma

NOTE: The lyrics for We Grow can also be found on my home website under the “lyrics” tab: www.tylerstenson.com

THIS THURSDAY: I will be playing at the Alberta Rose Theater this Thursday night with Sam Wegman and Safire — it promises to be something special. Please grab a crew and come join me for my early, all ages, opening set.

Tyler Stenson w/ Sam Wegman & Safire
Thursday Sep 29th @ 7:30 PM
$10 General Admission

All Ages Show
Doors open at 6:30

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: http://albertarosetheatre.com/

Of course, this will not be my first time playing at the Alberta Rose Theater. Although I will be playing a solo set for this upcoming event, take a look at these videos from my last full-band performance at this fine venue!!

OFTEN & MUCH

BEST LAID PLANS

CANNONBALL

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: http://albertarosetheatre.com/

In an interview earlier this summer for KZME’s Music on the Air TV program, I was asked to recall my favorite Portland moment — what one thing sticks out when I think about my years in Portland as both a resident and a musician?

While I could never-ever account for all of my favorite memories in this fine city, in a moment of pure panic and scattered thoughts, I spouted off two contenders:

1) The final moments of my farewell show at the Aladdin Theater.
2) My first Por Que No taco.

Here is the video footage of My Favorite Portland Moments…

For your reference, here is that final moment at the Aladdin Theater…

Oh, and if you’ve never been to Por Que No, here is the address to both locations…

3524 N Mississippi Ave, Portland – (503) 467-4149
4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland – (503) 954-3138

Of course, I have many many many other fantastic memories when it comes to living and playing music in Portland (opening for Chris Isaak at the Oregon Zoo and selling 140+ albums to a host of new fans freshly comes to mind) but it’s still damn near impossible to sum up how kind this city has been, and continues to be, to me.

Because I spend so much time keeping my website up to date, I tend to neglect the 3rd party sites such as ReverbNation. That was then…

This is now… I’m proud to announce that I’ve recently spent a few grueling hours getting my ReverbNation page completely up to date and chalk full of fresh music, images, press and videos.

Enjoy the updated widgets below or visit my Reverb Nation page by following this link: http://www.reverbnation.com/tylerstenson

SPREAD THE WORD AND PASS IT ON!!

THIS JUST IN: I will be opening for Alpha Rev at the Aladdin Theater on Wednesday 9/14.

Alpha Rev w/ Tyler Stenson
Wednesday September 14th @ The Aladdin Theater
Doors at 7:00 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
Minors Accompanied by Parent
$15.00

GET TICKETS HERE

Alpha Rev is a soulful American rock group out of Austin, TX, led by front-man Casey McPherson. Their music is full of achingly beautiful melodies, haunting lyrics and classical beauty. As Austin’s famous landmark club Antone’s raved on their website “witness [McPherson] in action and you know God made this man to play music.”

ABOUT ALPHA REV:
(bio taken from Aladdin-Theater.com)

Above all else, Alpha Rev is a journey into the depths of the human experience.

Frontman Casey McPherson’s gripping, emotional songwriting dares others to search out hope in the bleakest of circumstances and the unique instrumentation pays homage to the classical music that gave him his love for the art. While McPherson’s songwriting and rock-inspired vocals form the core of Alpha Rev’s music, he is supported by a unique cast of musicians that fill Alpha Rev’s songs with as much classical beauty as American rock. In addition to the typical guitar, keyboard, bass, and drums, Alpha Rev boasts a violin and cello that add brilliantly to the band’s sound. Together, Alpha Rev offers up layered, orchestral, melody-driven masterpieces able to turn strangers to super fans in a single listen.

Home schooled in small town Texas, frontman Casey McPherson studied classical piano for 12 years and learned to play guitar left handed after figuring out it only worked when he played it upside down. The first band he started, Endochine, performed with Staind, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pete Yorn and many others. During this time, McPherson lost his father and only brother to suicide. Although Endochine was succeeding on many levels, touring took its toll, eventually leading to the band’s demise. Faced with unimaginable tragedy and the dissolution of his band of five years, Casey began to realize that his music, and his life, needed to take a turn in a more positive direction.

The result was Alpha Rev and its distinctive brand of soulful American rock, full of achingly beautiful melodies, haunting lyrics, and classical beauty. Welling up through all the rich, sonic splendor is a message of hope spun by McPherson and his penchant for perseverance. As Austin’s famous landmark club Antone’s raved on their website “witness [McPherson] in action and you know God made this man to play music.”