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Daylon Greer and Supernormal Tyler will be sharing a stage at Cien Agaves tonight. If you haven’t been here before get in here! Great Tequila selection, cheap beer and a little thing called Sangrita. What’s Sangrita? Come in see Roque and the crew and find out!
(480)-970-9002
Coupled with the success of the most recent Public Transit Tour, Tyler and ‘the project’ is moving on up to the east side. Well, more east-side that is.
I’ll be moving the offices of SuperNormal Records into a larger space. Trying to track drums the current space is a little challenging, so in order to move to the next level of the studio sessions we are currently involved in, we need more room… I’m still staying in Scottsdale. Yes, we will still be based out of AZ, but were just moving a little further east.
- SuperNormal Tyler
The move comes on the heels of planning another Public Transit Tour, and still working the local scene in Arizona.
All rise to a great place is by a winding stair - Francis Bacon
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.
How do I get to the Beer and Brats Party?
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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.
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
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.
Supernormal Tyler, Will, Kate, Eugene, and Sarah in Portland, Oregon
Who knew I took so many pictures! In the midst of the whirlwind of Portland, Oregon, I managed to snap a ton of pictures and video. I am currently putting them all together and getting additional footage from Mark @ EVENT ONE VIDEO.
I have music video’s in the works, as well as upcoming local Arizona shows, and I have gone back into the studio to record the new album (more on that later).
If you are not already on the mailing list please visit the Contact page and sign-up. I will be releasing sneek-previews, and pre-release versions of all of the upcoming content.
Thanks to Eugene, Kate, Will and everyone in Portland who helped me along the way. I’ve got two months of studio time, then, it’s time for another tour.
Stay Tuned!
Geno Panino and A Glass of Gruet Bubbly
Sunny Day Gruet
The clouds broke over Portland - here comes the sun - and it’s time for a little flop-flop adventure. Today I decided to get a little business done and then maybe, oh, I don’t know ‘do something I guess’. It’s a day before the big show at Eugenios and I figured I’ll take the day off and soak up the sun and dig on the locals for a while. I started out with a stroll down Hawthorne Boulevard and called Eugenio’s to see if I could catch the owner Eugene for a chat before the big night. I wanted to tell him how many people I think are coming and just put a face to the name. He’s been so good to me I thought I’d pay him a visit.
Down 34th Ave and a the left on Division Street and I scooted through the door. I had called about ten minutes previous and Eugene was out running errands so I’ll have a little lunch and sit on the patio. Kate was behind the bar. She’s an M-80 in a swimsuit and jean shorts sweeter than anything and fully capable of beautiful disaster if you meddle with that fuse. An angel with the devil her pocket, breaking hearts and taking names - don’t cross this one. Yeah, she’s rock and roll, man.
I ordered a Geno Panino and a glass of Gruet bubbly in a short stubby glass. I try to refrain from using stemware due to my penchant for destruction. I want no challenges today. So it’s bubbly in a stubby - Easy is the recipe, and the finest ingredient is time; so it’s slow-go to the patio. There’s a champagne sunrise at three PM and I’m in search of a day-buzz.
The Nicest Human Being on the Planet
Eugene rolled up in the alley by the sidewalk in a white Honda Accord and stepped out looking exactly like I expected him to. Laid back and relaxed. Eugenios should be built on a boat with Eugene at the helm swaying smoothly on calm waters and going where the breeze wills you. He’s rocking a blue T-shirt and cream-colored shorts and shades. He looks like he just stepped off of the deck of a schooner somewhere sandy and blue. He puts you in the mood he’s seems to be in perpetually; unceremonious, and cruising across the surface of the earth doing what he’s doing and then checking something else out for a while. The way it used to be? The way it is here at Eugenio’s. He’s a natural restaurateur.
Matchbox Omega
Three girls sat at the long table across from me, in true Portland fashion, we were all sharing the same table in a matter of minutes. Just in time too, because no more than a minute later I would have been destroyed by a cyclist that slammed into the chair that I was sitting in. These girls saved my life. Myshelle in sleeves and a sundress. A 4′ 11″ live wire and a kindred spirit of the bartendress Kate. Ashley in a simple grey dress and a push up - making a statement in muffled colors the statement she made sounded something like “Damn!” All the while laying down the wit like a short-order cook. Becky behind her cell phone peeking out to smile and drop a joke. Everything said about one could be said of the other if we are speaking solely on first impressions. There the kind of girls that make the clouds break and I blame the perfect weather on them. They had a name for their little coalition: Kappa Kappa Matchbox Omega.
Kappa Kappa Matchbox Omega:Ashley, Becky, Myshelle, and Kate
Chad meandered into the mix, he’s moving to Portland from Vermont and searching for a house. He won’t find it today, the Matchbox Omega girls stepped in and he and I are about to be hijacked. Before long we were all ‘life-long’s’ riding the crest of a wave beatific and ready to sail this thing all the way up to the Gold Dust Meridian on Hawthorne leaving Eugenio’s in our wake and on the docket for tomorrow night. Showtime.
Myshelle, Ashley, Chad, Kate, and Supernormal Tyler
Meridian
The Gold Dust Meridian was the next destination, so we paid the tabs and said our goodbyes to the crew of Eugenio’s leaving it as our safe harbor. We’ll return tomorrow night, and I can repay the debt of a great day to all of the people who gave it to me. That’s why I love playing music, the human connection. Stepping in and creating happiness for people, positive and prolific - I’ve got one-and-a-half hours of stage time and it’s gonna go by to fast. At the Meridian, we found a back patio, Omega had been there before but none of them had noticed it before. The little pathway was like entering a secret garden and we assembled ourselves at a table. Omega was drinking Mojitos made with 12 year Rum, and I was stepping it up a bit. I had an IPA and a shot of well bourbon, I was seeking the day buzz, and hell bent getting on there. Our collective energy soon filled the patio to the gills with day-drinkers. General jackassery and side-splitting laughter, Myshelle drew a Black Bart moustache on her index finger and was holding it up to her face and the rest is a blur. I believe the buzz had arrived. And I believe it skipped a few stages and put me straight in Zangsville!
Myshelle and her Black Moustache
One guy came in with a guitar and some one said paly us a song, he refused. I took that as my cue and went back to the Hostel and got the Git-fiddle. I walked back on the patio and asked if I could play them a song and so I played “Arizona Born and Glory Bound”. That song is kind of becoming my anthem for this trip. “the secret to success is get the F*** out”, an urge I am trying to fight. I fall in love with everywhere I travel and the common theme around here is that what is trying to happen to me has happened to many. Ich bin ein Portlander! Myshelle asked me if that was a harmonica, I said “yes”. Apparently, she plays. She started tooting around on it and I played a remix of one of my own tunes: “The Things I’m Gonna Miss”. Normally, it’s a heartbreaker track slow and solemn. People have told me it made them cry, but, now it was up-beat jovial and I gravelled-up the vocals and Myshelle rocked the Harmy. I had to go after that. I could have stayed there all day, but, I wanted to hit the Muddy Waters Open Mic on Burnside and the sign-up started at seven.�
The Crew is Growing at the Meridian
Murky Moods at Muddy Waters
I arrived at 7:05 and the place was already awash with troubadours with guitars in-tow. I got a negative vibe and heeded it. I chose to head back to the hostel and good thing I did because about ten minutes later I had to put the buzz to bed. I spun motionless on the matress then dropped off the planet at 7:00 PM. That’s Rock and Roll.
More Pictures and videos coming soon.
I hit the streets with Joseph O’Brien and we hoofed it from SE Hawthorne Boulevard all the way to Alberta Street. It was quite a hike but well worth the trip. A woman named Tamara runs the open mic and she had two assistants, (Nik and Rachael) digitally recording the night. Hopefully, can get a hold of that and toss it up on this site soon.
Rachel and Nik
The true test of the quality of an Open Mic is who is running it. Sure, the quality of performers is important, but, when a night is run by professionals and cared for like it was Wednesday May 14th at The Alberta Street Public House in Portland, Oregon the performances shine and the vibe gets positive enough to change things about this little ball we live on.
Tamara-The Professsional
Gil (a street musician) Joseph, and I hit the streets and in true busker fashio Gil was asking every passer-by if they wanted a song. Dusty, a guy strolling home, stopped on the corner of Alberta and tenth, and Gil went into it. I popped the latch on the case and backed him up on harmonica. A 20 minute chat and a drop in to the Plaid Pantry for some beers we soon found ourselves parked on a wall along the sidewalk and shot the breeze and talked music and dreams. Good Times. Thank you Portland.
Exodus
Well, I managed to do it. After a night out at 9 muses and a late return to the Hawthorne Traveller’s Hostel, I awoke at 7 AM by chance and showered up to head out the door. Today’s the day for the start of the Supernormal Wine Tour: Willamette Valley, so, it’s pack up the bags lightning quick and out the door and onto the MAX red line to the Airport, a practice run for the day I am trying to not consider; the day I have to leave Portland behind. But, this trip to the airport will be to rent a Dollar Rental Car and drive out to the Willamette Valley and finally walk amongst the vines. Sunshine and grapevines.
I said goodbye to a few fellow travellers and put back together the Supernormal Road Kit and jettisoned my now oblong and imbalanced self out the door and on to the 14 Hawthorne Bus to downtown. My head still reeling from the previous evenings revelries at 9 Muses. I celebrated the coming of today last night with some fellow Hobo Travellers, and now I’m paying for it with ineffective Bayer tablets and sunglasses. Heavy stuff in-tow. That will kill the hangover, or me. My money is on it killing the hangover, so it’s lumber on, Lumpy.
View from the window of the MAX Redline to the Airport
It’s overcast this morning, but, there is something more than that. I feel like I am slipping into a little lull emotionally. When I travel there is a formula. I do not intend it, and it is not quite unique to me. Other ‘conscious hobo’s’ have similar experiences. Travelling as I choose to, alone, lugging everything I need on my back, ‘backpacking’ as it’s commonly called. I find that there are certain stages or emotional states that always come in an ordered cycle.
First: The Gush - A giddy bubbly love for anything and everything in the wide-world. That lasts for a few days; sometimes a week. Then: The Dump - that’s when then the gilded-tinge on everything fades and I begin to go inside of myself and start to feel that bastard loneliness and emptiness. A peek into a pit of despair and your heart goes to your shoes so that you stomp all over it with every step you take the weight of your pack emphasizing the blows. The Hobo Traveller questions his motives and criticizes his actions. “Why not the beach?” I hear someone say inside my own mind. ‘The Dump’ doesn’t last long, but, I think that stage is working it’s way in now. It sucks but, the other side of it is: The Rise - a leveling off and a smooth climb into a complete happiness with the place and the process of travel and the knowledge that it brings. But, as any cycle isn’t a one time gig, so, don’t mind the down-times and look a loft. For round and round it goes.
There’s a college education in 8 days on the road. There’s a Master’s in a month. Institutional education won’t teach you how to hold on to the world when it goes wobbly and you’ve abandoned yourself for a strange town and a whirlwind. This is why I travel like I do. Sounds heavy, and it is, there is no doubt that you’re among the living and learning to live better, and reflecting on the cycle is brand new for me. This is but my second go-round.
The car deal didn’t work out. No major woop, just a brief bummer. I finally chalked it up as a ’slight adjustment’ and got back on the MAX to City Center. Enter “The Dump” - I put my sunglasses on and moved through the motions while the MAX clacked me back to the best thing that resembles home - the hostel. Good thing the Red line is a long jaunt from the airport to downtown, it gave me time to work it through. That bastard loneliness came back and moistened my eyes and put the aortas and ventricles out of order. I Hung my head and lumbered back to the hostel to book the rest of my stay. They only have tonight open. The weekend is booked but I’ll check in the morning for a potential cancellation. If not there is another hostel across town in Northwest Portland. If that’s bust, then there’s always the luxury of a Days Inn.
A little Fence in the Japanese Gardens Portland, Oregon
Emotional Daybreak and a Distilling of the Dream
Enter “The Rise”. It clicked on the MAX and now I am finding out how to define it. The reason why everything went awry at the airport and I can’t get the car until tomorrow which means I had to cancel the first day’s appointments is this: I don’t want to go to wine country. That simple. Maybe some day in the future, but right now I’m in Portland, Oregon, man. I’m here on a Public Transit Tour. I got plans, baby. I want to just do the job and do it righteously. I want to rock this thing out and stay where the getting is good. I’m rounding the corner and setting out on a new and elevated path. The tears distilled the dream and refocused the vision. Oh, the ideas and the little treats I’ve got coming for you. Let’s get Supernormal! I got a little light and guess what I’m gonna let it do!
Singer/Songwriter Joseph O’Brien busking on SE Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon. Hear more at Joseph’s MySpace page
Or, if you are in the Portland Area, he is playing live to night at 9 Muses (2715 E. Belmont Street)
