Above is a YouTube playlist player. You can press play sit back and watch the videos in sequence or use the arrow keys to the right and left to skip around.

 

About the Video

Every Monday Night  Arizona Singer/Songwriter Jeordie Hosts a Songwriter’s Night at Pranksters Too.  Southeast Corner of Hayden and Thomas Roads: 9pm – Midnight.  In the video, Tyler gives a brief exterior introduction, then watch Jeordie perform several of her original songs as well as Stevie D.   Steve runs the sound, and what a room.  JBL Speakers, Mackie Board, and an entire night of local musicians.

In 1989, I went through a ‘Roy Orbison’ Phase

“It’s the end of the year, so, forgive me if I get a little introspective.” – Tyler Christensen

Rewind, Play, Then Fast Ever-Forward…

January of 2008 brought about the launch of SuperNormal Records.  A local independent record label founded by Tyler Christensen, SuperNormal Records is fast making a mark on the local Arizona music scene as well as reaching out to other communities to provide and promote independent music, art, and culture.  Originally concieved as a means to “promote artists organically”, SuperNormalRecords.com has held fast to its’ mission while taking bold steps and leaving small footprints.

The trail can be traced back to October of 2006 when Tyler Christensen and his brother (Ryan Christensen) conceived and breathed life into SuperNormal Records over a brief chat.  The evolving music industry presented many unforeseen opportunities for the independent musician.  Recording and editing software became readily available and well suited to the task of making a run on the big record companies of the day.  But, vast differences lay between what the traditional record label was, and what SuperNormal Records was concieved to be. 

A Dream Defined…

SuperNormal Records’ mission was to focus on independent artists, starting with Tyler Christensen (SuperNormal Tyler).  From modest beginnings, and merely a twice monthly blog about the happenings of Tyler’s forays in the music industry to a full-fledged promotion and production house (complete with video editing capabilities), to mounting and managing local and regional tours and events.

One such event was SuperNormal Records’ first official tour.  Mounted in May of 2008, “The SuperNormal Records Public Transit Tour: An Exercise in Sustainability” was a one-week jaunt to the city of Portland, Oregon.  The tour was a huge success and opened up the Northwest Market to the offerings provided by this little label.  Knowledge gained on the road served Tyler well back at home in Phoenix, Arizona.  Local LIVE performances were stripped down to their barest elements and made easy to mount in a heartbeat, and the pulse of the Portland experience beats fervently in the live events and the observed exhibitions of SuperNormal Records. 

Tyler at PDX Airport on the last day of the Public Transit Tour 2008

Though the primary focus is music, it is not only music that piques the interest of SuperNormal Records.  Art Exhibitions, and other general cultural interests catch SuperNormal’s eye and the site’s blog has grown to focus on local/regional events of note.  From highlighting the maturation of Phoenix Arizona’s arts community, to advocacy for use and growth of Public Transit systems, to musings on the mundane; SuperNormal Records.com is a living document sinuous in it’s methodical approach to production and promotion. 

365 days in the life of…

So, at the end of a full Gregorian calendar year, on the last Friday in 2008, SuperNormal Records is putting together its’ final show of the year.  To be held at Mama Java’s Coffeehouse, “Goodbye Beginning” will take place on Friday December 26th, 2008 from 8p.m. to 9:30p.m.  A symbolic homage to the beginnings of Tyler Christensen’s professional music career, the artist will play a one and a half-hour show in the quaint, intimate setting of a locally owned coffee shop.  As a teenager, Tyler’s first gigs were in coffeeshops and this show will not only take place in a place similar to where it all began, but highlight how it all began. 

“On Friday December 26th, I’ll take to the stage for an hour and a half of selections from my original music.  Modelling the show on the singer/songwriter/storyteller model will lend more time to expressing the intentions behind the songs, plans for the future of the label, and general thank-you’s to those who have helped me along the way.” -Tyler Christensen     

One of the key plans to be unveiled is Tyler’s upcoming record.  Slated for a Early 2009 release, Tyler will take time off from performing to hit the studio and track the new record.  This upcoming CD will be the first official release by SuperNormal Records.  In so being, you can expect an unorthodox method to be employed in the production and promotion of this recording. 

Through SuperNormalRecords.com Tyler will interact with fans and involve participants in the song selection and sequencing (order of the songs) on the record.  Fans will visit SuperNormalRecords.com and vote on what songs they want on the record, and even decide the order in which they will be placed on the CD, and in the iTunes Library.

Be a part of the SuperNormalRecords.com experience and join us Friday December 26th, 2008 at “Goodbye Beginning” @ Mama Java’s Coffeehouse, 3619 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018 PHONE: (602)-840-5282. View Mama Java’s Website [MAP IT] Free event (donations graciously accepted).  8p.m. – 9:30p.m.

DECEMBER 26th 8pm-9:30pm

“Goodbye Beginning”

An Evening of Acoustic Music with Tyler Christensen

Mama Java’s Coffee House  [MAP IT]

3619 East Indian School Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85018

• Sign-up for the SuperNormalRecords.com Mailing List to learn of future events and take part in the Make-a-Record project.
• Read the Public Transit Tour 2008 diary.
• View the SuperNormal Records Homepage.

POV View From a Glass of Whiskey.

Tuesday December 2nd, 2008

SuperNormal Tyler dropped into Darwin’s Waiting Room (Famous Wings) in Phoenix, Arizona for a solo acoustic performance.  At 11:11p.m. Tyler Strolled through the door with an acoustic guitar, and harmonicas in a case, and a jam packed backpack on his back complete with a chrome mic stand sticking out of it like a large antennae.  The quintessential ‘indie’ Tyler had just hopped off of the 41 westbound bus and was making a casual beeline for the stage. 

“I have begun to play local shows in the same vein as I did when I was on my Public Transit Tour of Portland, Oregon (May 2008).  The idea was to utilize public transit to get to all of my gigs.  I think I have nearly perfected the method of light travel and pre-planning to the point where I prefer to not rely on anything but the hopes of a good time.  No cars, no MPG’s, no CFC’s…  I think that I just might be the greenest musician on the planet.”   – SuperNormal Tyler

Well, green to a point, he sure did bring a lot of paper with him.  A key component of Tyler’s live show’s is the ream of paper stacked up on whatever is handy, be it a barstool or a table.  Due to his prolific songwriting Tyler is constantly workshopping new tunes and a live performance is sure to be a presentation of his latest efforts in songwriting.  No two shows are the same and no matter if you saw him play last night or twenty minutes ago, it is a fresh experience packed with new material everytime.

Tyler Early In The Set 

Blazing through his set and shuffling through the ream, about an hour in Daylon Greer the Local ‘King of Covers’ walked through the door.  JT’s, a local pub down the street ,was having their 11th anniversary, and Daylon had been out celebrating and bar hopping all day.  It was great to see these two local performers interact on stage, even if the whiskey was playing Daylon’s harmonica more than he was.  After depleting the bar of a fair share of it’s stock of Jack Daniel’s Daylon and his girl headed out the door and back into the night. 

Daylon Greer and SuperNormal Tyler 

Tyler closed out his set with a message by playing his song “Walking”.  Indulging, as he rarely does, in a little songwriter/storyteller moment, he explained the story behind the song.  An up-beat, positive number about a simple walk downtown, the crux of the story and the reason for the song relies on when Tyler was doing laundry in a laundromat downtown and took a walk around the block while his clothes (complete with his favorite shirt) was tumbling in the dryer.  He returned to find the door open and his clothes gone.  Rather than let the experience sour his chin-up stroll around downtown marvelling at passers-by, and passing on a little good cheer on a day where ‘morning made a masterpiece’, Tyler released the negative overtones of the theft by crafting a little ditty. ‘ my clothes are gone/i hope whoever needs’them puts them on and goes out walking/head held high in pride/ in their brand new clean clothing’ .  The resounding choruses reverberating across the bar and out the door into the end of the night; ‘we owe eachother the world / and the world don’t owe us a thing’.

Video from the show:

(Special Thanks to Pope for the videos)

“The Things I’m Gonna Miss”

See More Video at Our YouTube Channel

SuperNormal Tyler will be performing Live in Queen Creek, Arizona

• THIS SUNDAY !!  July 13th, 2008 7:30 – 8:30 pm at a Chris Gramazio for Congress Rally.

Do you live in District 6?

This East Valley seat in Maricopa County contains parts of Mesa, Chandler, and all of Gilbert and the fast-growing town of Queen Creek; it also contains the city of Apache Junction in Pinal County.

Need a Map?

How do I get to the Beer and Brats Party?
View Larger Map

Chris Gramazio

Chris Gramazio is running in a primary, and is looking to make it all the way to the general election to unseat Jeff Flake (R-AZ). Chris and I were on 1480 KPHX Radio together on June 22nd, 2008 discussing his campaign, my recent Public Transit Tour, and Public Transit issues in the State of Arizona.

RSVP

Please come out and support SuperNormal Tyler and Meet Chris Gramazio!

Please RSVP the Gramazio campaign if you plan on attending (480-987-3018, or sgramazio@cox.net). Tell them, SuperNormal Tyler sent you. Or, you can e-mail me at tyler@supernormalrecords.com.

Are you MYSPACing it?  become a friend of SuperNormal Tyler

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!!

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW!! – Scroll to the half-way mark to hear Tyler

Scroll to 23:20 on your audio players to hear the beginning of Tyler’s portion of the interview. 

Tyler was on 1480 KPHX Radio in the Phoenix Market yesterday morning (6/22/08) discussing the Public Transit Tour and playing music.  

The Skinny from the ‘horse’s':

“Sarge, a weekend host on 1480 KPHX Radio in Phoenix contacted me while I was on tour for the Public Transit Tour: Portland, Oregon.  We discussed Phoenix’s Public Transit and agreed to an interview.  It could not have gone better.  The engineer, Shawn Ryan, made a great suggestion of doing the return from the commercial breaks live in-studio.  Therefore, I did the whole interview holding my guitar – the only way I am 100% comfy.  Thank you, Sarge for the opportunity to discuss such a vital and important issue with you and your audience.  I look forward to continuing our dialogue.” – SuperNormal Tyler

Sarge and SuperNormal Tyler out back of the 1480 KPHX studio post-interview

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW  Listen NOW! 

Scroll to 23:20 on your audio player to hear the beginning of Tyler’s portion of the interview.

The first half of the interview was devoted to Chris Gramazio, He is running for local office.  Please, visit his site and lend him your support if he speaks to what you care about.

I decided to fast today.  I hadn’t eaten at all and the hunger had come and gone, and there was a show I wanted to see at the Doug Fir.  I don’t know why I wanted to see it, but for some reason I opted out of eating, in favor of seeing this show. 

Upon entering, I found out why I wasn’t supposed to miss this for a plate of pasta.  There was an Amoeba Music show, and it was featuring some stellar singer/songwriters.

• Quincy Colemanhad finished up her set as I arrived.  Country-tinged rhythms and she utilizes the nearly patented Dwight Yoakam toe twist move. 
• Brandi Shearer and her band took the stage next.   Chris Bruce was on Guitar and he has mastered tone like few else, I told him so in the stair well.  Nice guy, humble in spite of his glowing talent.  The drums were tight, but, I was having such a good time I failed to do my job and get his full name.  Ramey? something, sorry man.
• Kate Walsh, from Brighton, UK closed the night.  Smooth and nearly flawless performance, and impeccable songwriting.  Nice little ‘lovey-dovey’s and Heart-Breakers.   

Brandi Shearer Live Sample from Monday’s Gig

Tonight you have a unique opportunity to participate in a global movement.  The best part, it is nearly effortless. 

On Saturday, March 29, 2008, (TODAY) Earth Hour invites people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – from 8:00pm to 9:00pm in their local time zone. On this day, cities around the world, including Copenhagen, Chicago, Melbourne, Dubai, PHOENIX and Tel Aviv, will hold events to acknowledge their commitment to energy conservation.

Be a part of a global movement at the flick of a switch! 

If we care enough, This can truly be “One World”.

• Do Something Supernormal

• www.supernormalrecords.com

Tentatively I am scheduled to perform in late March or early April for a 1480 KPHX event.  Being that this will be a politcally themed event, I figured I’d get in the lab and crank out some tunes.  Here is the latest effort, a song called “One World”.  Hear it here.

LYRICS:

One World©2008 Tyler Christensen, all rights reserved.VERSE: (E, Am, A, B) PRE-CHORUS: (E, A,B) CHORUS: (E, Bm7, A7,Bm7)

I heard you speaking softly,

about what you believe in.

all right you caught me,

I was listening

As you recite,

that tired party line

freedom isn’t free

(more…)

Finally the long arduous task of formatting and typing out the lyrics for my tunes to date is complete.  The docket stands at 53 songs and counting; Literally.  While slogging through a week of search through the notebook, typing, then the inevitable point and click and format and copy and paste, I managed to crank out another ditty; “One World”.  You can hear a no-frills demo at www.myspace.com/supernormal or at last.fm.  I’ll upload the fully mastered version to those services after my nap. 

One World will be the first song that will be put up on ccMixter.  Have a look at what is available from ccMixter as far as re-mixing goes.  But, to get into the remixing game, you must study the ways of a remixah.