One day removed from the chaos that was SxSW, I wanted to sit down and compile a list of my stand-out experiences. While there is nothing too in depth here, I hope it gives you an idea for what the week was like, what was experienced across the days and why I slept in a little longer than normal today. Enjoy!
I flew with my girlfriend for the first time!
This was my first real time in Austin (and/or Texas for that matter)!
It was my first trip (of many) with my new manager, Monique!
Upon arriving in Austin, I found out the airline had lost my bag!?
While trying to figure out the baggage situation, I ran into Ryan Spaulding at the airport. Because he was the man behind the curtain of The Outlaw Roadshow, it was great to finally meet him face-to-face … but not so great under the circumstances (the airline coincidentally lost both of our luggage).
My friend Amy and my very best friend in the whole wide world, Joe Albert, got to come to Austin to share this experience with me (thanks to his wife Delia for buying his ticket and surprising him). What made this event extra special was that in addition to being best friends through middle school, high school and as college room mates, Joe is the one who ultimately introduced me to Counting Crows. Further, he was the keyboard player in my very first band, Rhetoric Tuesday, and has therefore been there since the beginning.
We definitely shared some tears (and beers) over the milestone achievement.
I got to meet Adam Duritz, my all-time biggest musical influence!
This was a highly personal experience so, aside from these pictures, I’m going to save the conversational details for me; my best friends and family.
I hired an Austin-based band to back me at The Outlaw Roadshow and having never met face-to-face, we squeezed in a quick band meeting to get on the same page, just minutes before the set. It went well enough 🙂
Finally, I got to play The Outlaw Roadshow (patio stage at 11:30pm)!
Unfortunately, even though every other moment in Austin was sunny, it rained during my set. Thank you to all the fans that stuck around, rain or shine, singing along without a care! Adam Duritz noted the cult following 🙂
We partied our butts off til 4am and grabbed some Wendy’s on the way home.
The next morning, we got my girlfriend to the airport but learned to never book a 10am flight after an event like The Outlaw Roadshow. Never again. What a miserable, miserable moment in time!
Moving on…
A new guitar was shipped to me in Austin! I’m now sponsored by Boulder Creek Guitars and loving their sound!
Once The Outlaw Roadshow had passed, it was time for a week of solo shows.
Randomly, I found out my music will be featured on a video game!?
The game is called Rockstar Rising and can be played on Facebook. As a result of this song placement, I ended up playing an impromptu set at the SxSW gaming convention — yes, me and a guitar, performing for video game enthusiasts. Bizarre experience, no doubt.
My first official solo show was at the Dizzy Rooster (Real World Austin Bar).
Making this gig extra interesting was the fact that I found out, 18 minutes before show time, that I needed to bring my own guitar cord. Because I didn’t have one with me, I was lucky when the band after me agreed to let me borrow one of there’s … however, it was in their van, 8 blocks away. Well, as soon as we started walking it became clear that they didn’t understand the urgency of the matter (they took their sweet time). Ultimately, we reached the van with about 4-minutes til show time and with a quick thank you and an athletic pivot, I was on my way, sprinting toward the venue. I arrived just a few minutes late, took stage in a full sweat and launched into my set, frazzled. It was choppy at best but I’m proud to say that there were some friendly faces in the crowd to soften the blow.
Lesson learned: Bring guitar cords to all gigs from now on, no matter what.
That night I got interviewed on the street by BedStu.
They did back-to-back interviews with me and Adam Duritz so, once again, I got to fraternize as peers with the fellow that I had looked up to for so long! Wild times.
Wednesday was Ryan Spaulding’s birthday so I got to say Happy Birthday Ryan!
The next night I played Cheers Shot Bar on 6th.
This was a casual, outdoor patio show with some friendly people.
The next day, at noon, I played the Valhalla rock club on Red River.
This was most definitely my favorite solo show of the entire week. In all, I had about 25 people in the noon-time audience and in the darkness, you could hear a pin drop. Such a rewarding moment in time, as you can somewhat witness in the video below…
Conveniently, I went across the street and ate lunch at Stubb’s BBQ!
Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmm
At this point, due to the full week of late nights, no sleep and constant chit-chat over constantly loud music, I could feel a sore throat creeping upon me. That said, I took the rest of the day off; slept for hours and hours on end, watched my Portland Trailblazer beat the Knicks on national television and then went back to bed by a decent hour.
Friday I had no shows but some great meetings.
I had a wonderful and surreal meeting with a major company that was interested in sponsoring me. I can’t say who they are right now but, after a handshake, it’s a lock that they will be endorsing me. More news soon!
Meetings. Something good this way comes. #SxSW
— Tyler Stenson (@tylerstenson) March 15, 2013
Oh, I got a free pair on Converse shoes at the Fader Fort!
Saturday morning I connected with my buddy Gerran for coffee.
Then went to The Outlaw Roadshow #2 for a few hours.
Then split off to play my final solo show at the Blind Pig Pub on 6th.
This was a great show because even though I was sandwiched in between a scream-O punk act and a rapper, I managed to wrangle the outdoor patio and draw in a nice group of people. In the end, I felt well received by the audience but was extra excited to see the unnamed sponsors (above) in the crowd!
Once again, sandwiched between rock bands … can’t tell if I’m a buzz kill or a welcomed reprieve from the constant noise that is #SxSW
— Tyler Stenson (@tylerstenson) March 16, 2013
Once my work was done for the week, I returned to The Outlaw Roadshow #2.
Safe to say, the party ensued. I got to take in a bunch more amazing bands and laugh with my new Outlaw Roadshow family — namely Ryan Spaulding, Adam Duritz, Matt Sucich, Roem Baur and Kole Hansen. Everyone was so good to me and very welcoming … I hope it’s a sign of things to come.
To cap the night, I got called up on stage.
What an unexpected moment of awesomeness! I’ll be honest, I was happy being a drunken bystander when all of the sudden I heard my name called: Tyler Stenson, get up to the stage! Upon reaching the stage, I was handed a handful of bells — I sincerely thought I was just going to be the token “bell guy” until the chorus arrived and Adam Duritz confronted me with a microphone and an expectation to sing along. Here’s the truth: the words totally escaped me.
I’m sure it wasn’t cleverly disguised either.
Anyway, I totally faked it until the nerves calmed and I was able to confidently join in on chorus two and onward. The entire thing was caught on video below — watch as I share a mic with Adam Duritz, singing “I Shall Be Released” (by Bob Dyaln) with Filligar, Matt Sucich and many more!
In review, SxSW was full of highs, lows and LOTS of new beginnings … and even though I’d do it all differently for next year, between my new relationships and the life experiences gained, I have a feeling that this was the start of something extremely beautiful.
So long #Austin TX … you were kind and cruel … and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. #SxSW
— Tyler Stenson (@tylerstenson) March 17, 2013
Tyler Stenson Blog » Blog Archive » I Am an Official Bose Artist