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

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.
Heaven is 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.

Saturday February 9th at the White Eagle was an amazing experience all around. I tried to express it on stage but I’ve never been the most eloquent on the spot; it sincerely warms my heart to know that so many people care about me personally or enjoy my music enough to keep showing up time and time again. The crowd was in full effect. I have an amazing cast of supporters and I hope you all know that it does not go unnoticed on my end.

Thank you to John Reynolds and the Cool Blue Review for having us be a part of the event and thank you McMenamins for creating such great musical environments. I’ll be posting some sound clips from the show later this week- let me know if you have any requests!

Again, thank you everyone for making the White Eagle such a success and thank you everyone for all of your support in this adventure. I’ll keep you posted on the upcoming shows and let’s keep growing this thing together!

The best fans outfit their children in Lander attire. Because I print Lander Tees and other merchandise myself, from time-to-time people send me clothing for their babies and I put the Lander touch on it. This Lander fan in particular is the son of my best friend and the inspiration for the song Clementine. When I found out he would be having a child, I surprised him with a stylish Lander onesie and trusted it would get him through the hard times. Thanks Joe for the picture- I’m glad to see you’re raising your son right!

Whether you know it or not, recording and producing music is extremely expensive and always a climb for indie bands everywhere. You can have talent, heart and loads of original music but in the end, it will require an enormous personal investment to see any of that material immortalized onto an album. This spring, I hosted a concert and live recording at Mississippi Studios with the plan of eventually releasing that recording to the public. However, all of my money was spent hosting that show and without a surplus, that recording has sat on the shelves waiting for my pocket book to catch up with me. I have no doubt that it would have collected dust until 2020 if it wasn’t for one very generous fan…

I am overwhelmed with gratitude toward Super Fan Jeff Sanford and his family. He emailed me asking when are you going to release the Mississippi Studios recording? I answered with the truth, probably never. I gave him my financial sob story; explained how I am still paying for Orange Chrome Sky and a new solo album (amongst life itself). I expected nothing from that conversation but nonetheless, a check arrived at my door today.

There are no words to explain his Big Heart. He simply shrugs and calls it an investment in good music. I will never disclose the amount donated to my cause but the recordings will be heard and I will no doubt dedicate them to his name. Thank you Jeff, for everything you’ve ever done for me.

Big Hearts are filling up the hemispheres
Big Hearts are warming up the coldest years
They’ll lie beside me forever more
Cause Big Hearts make mine grow

Big Hearts (basement recording)

Paul the Music lover found us one night at the Bitter End in Portland- he bought an album and gave me his card before he left for the night. Weeks later I received an email letting me know that Lander had been featured on a Pod Cast on the IndieMusicSampler.com with my song What I Feel Like As Winter Comes. We are the last band featured on this particular Pod Cast but Paul ended with some really kind words about our sound. Click here or on the image above to listen to the PodCast featuring Lander and our ‘knock you over with a feather’ music.

Click to listen to the Podcast
Click to listen to What I Feel Like As Winter Comes

Join 3 great Portland Songwriters tonight at Mississippi Studios, PDX for a classic Songwriters in the Round - 8pm.

Breanna Paletta
tyler stenson of lander
Matt Vrba

For those of you that have never seen a Writers in the Round, essentially, 3 songwriters are on stage for the full show. Each writer plays an original song, every third song… one after another, after another, after another, etc. It is a great way to see 3 shows in 1 and expose yourself to new writers that you wouldn’t have seen before.

I’ll be one of three performing tonight with Breanna Paletta and Matt Vrba. They are very talented and I’m excited to be a part of the set. Please join us at 8pm and tell your friends. Hope to see you there!

Earlier this month another Lander fan was born… literally. Long time fans and friend Jeff and Hayla Sanford had their first baby Kellen in the early days of June and they’ve already started teaching the little guy right from wrong and the value in good choices. I screen printed a Lander onesie for the young couple as a gift so they recently sent me this picture of the newest Lander fan and his custom merchandise. If you recall, Lander performed at Jeff and Hayla’s wedding last summer so this new addition brings us full circle. Congrats Jeff and Hayla… glad Lander can be a part of your life.

I just posted the new photos from the Lander show at Mississippi Studios PDX. My good friend and photographer Haven Seagraves was on the move and took some really amazing photos of the event. Click on the image or visit the ‘Pictures’ page above to view all of the photos from last Thursday’s show! If you missed the concert, this should give you a great idea of what you missed… of course, there is video coming soon!

It has been close to forever since you’ve last seen Lander perform at the Buffalo Gap Saloon- we’re sorry it has taken so long to get back in the saddle. With that said, we are pleased to announce that you can finally catch Lander at the Gap every Thursday night in the month of April. Yes, April 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th from 9 to midnight. We’ll be doing a nice variety of full band, trio and Tyler’s solo material and we’re always aiming to make your nights at the Gap a pleasure. I hope you’ll stop by the Buffalo Gap in April for the long awaited homecoming- see you and your friends there!

ALL AGES SHOW from 7 - 8:30pm | 21+ BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION from 9 - ???

Yes, we’re excited to announce an all ages show at db clay inc % crux gallery. For my birthday, I want nothing more than to show-off some new Lander songs to my loved ones, friends and family so we’ve decided to host an ALL AGES show at our practice facility (db clay headquarters) in NE Portland.

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS