I’ve been working hard at finalizing the details for the upcoming See That Gleam album release concert and I wanted to keep you in the loop on the updated details.

- July 31st at Lola’s Room (Crystal Ballroom)
- Doors at 8pm… show at 8:30
- Tickets are $10 in advance (buy here) or $12 at the door
- Free CD with admission!
- 21yrs and up

With the help of Sameunderneath I’m going to bring you the album in its live form and of course, let you take it home with you for free:) I’m looking forward to this special night so please help me spread the word and make it something to remember. See you soon!

link to the event and get your tickets

Sample a song from the album:

It’s confirmed… the new album See That Gleam will be released in full fashion on Thursday July 31st at Lola’s Room in Portland, OR. With the help of Sameunderneath I’m going bring you the album in its live form and feature some very special guests across the evening.

LOLA’S ROOM
1332 W Burnside St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 225-0047
Lola’s Room is on the second floor above Ringler’s & below the Crystal Ballroom. A beautiful space and a well hidden secret.

Please, save the date! Tell every single person you know and help me release this album with a promising bang. I’m really looking forward to this.

More details to come… Thanks!

This Saturday at 7pm I’ll be playing an acoustic set at Borders Bookstore in Gresham. I’m a first-timer at Borders so it should be an interesting experience for the books. The show is all ages, open to the public and the last one on the concert schedule for quite some time so I hope you’ll grab the young ones and enjoy a relaxing night of music at the Borders Bookstore cafe.

This is the first stop on my soon-to-be Borders tour consisting of Tigard, Salem and Vancouver locations, so if Gresham isn’t your thing, no one faults you and stay tuned for a Borders stop in your area.

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.

I picked up the Artichoke concert DVD from EMA Video on Tuesday afternoon. Between then and now, I’ve managed to cut up the film enough to post a couple songs on YouTube (including this version of Cellophane). I am no video editor but over the next couple weeks I will pretend to be one as I release the Artichoke footage bit by bit. Here is Cellophane from last Thursday’s performance… the rest will come with time.

Last night was my long-awaited PSA Showcase at Artichoke Music. This was truly one of my favorite shows to date and I’m honored that the turn out was so positive. I got an hour to play my music for a captive audience; in an ideal venue and believe it went as well as it could. Thanks all.

I tried something new when I had my lyrics projected for the audience to read along. Despite some technical difficulties it was a nice addition to the intimate setting. I could feel a connection with the crowd as they reviewed the writing on the wall. Logan played bass and I sang tenor and these are the nights I live for…

In February I competed for the title of the PSA Portland Songwriter of the Year and won! Now, in April the PSA is hosting an intimate night at Artichoke Music to celebrate the winner and showcase an hour of my original music.

I’m very honored to have received this award so I’d like to share this evening with those that are closest to me and have supported and inspired my passion.

-Seating is limited (60 people)
-All ages welcome… but no screaming kids:)
-$3 at the door
- Show will be recorded (audio + video)

SHOW SCHEDULE:
Songwriters in the Round: 7:30 - 8:15
Intermission/set-up
Tyler Stenson Showcase: 8:30 - 9:30

I just posted this new video on YouTube of me playing Come Around at PolitiPalooza earlier this January at the Montgomery Park Building in Portland. This is the newest song that will be included on the upcoming album so give it a watch, read the lyrics and patiently wait for the album to be released within the month or so!

I hope someday
In the sunlight’s softest rays
That you will glide your way
Back through this town.
I hope someday you come around.

A week ago I received notice that the Portland Songwriters Association was going to be hosting its annual Top Ten Final on Wednesday February 13th in search of this year’s Performing Songwriter of the Year…

With that said, as last year’s winner, the PSA board presented me with a unique opportunity; either play as an honored “alumni” guest and hand down my crown OR play by the rules, play NEW songs for NEW judges and compete to defend my title… with little hesitation, I chose the latter.

Last year I played LAST in the line-up of performers so it was fitting that I was the FIRST to compete in this year’s competition. I was no doubt nervous when I started the evening- I played “Whistle Stop” and then made a last second switch to “Cellophane” as my songs of choice. Once finished I simply sat in the back (full of nerves) as the other performers played one-by-one, better and better each time as the evening progressed.

I was in the presence of many talented individuals and would have happily conceded my title to any of the songwriters in this final round; however, I’m pleased to announce that my new songs earned me a victory and the repeat title of the Portland Songwriters Association 2007 Performing Songwriter of the Year!!!

I didn’t expect to hear my name but I’m so proud to wear the badge of honor for one more year. Thank you to all of you for your support and providing me with the confidence to tackle these nights with little hesitation.

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!