Tyler Glenn
| Tyler Glenn | |
|---|---|
 Glenn performing at the 2012 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference Bash | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 28 November 1983 |
| Origin |
Temecula, California United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, pop |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards |
| Associated acts | Neon Trees |
Tyler Glenn (b. November 28, 1983) is the lead vocalist and keyboardist of the American alternative rock band Neon Trees.
Biography
As a teenager, Glenn attended Chaparral High School in Temecula, California.[1] He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2] After high school, he served a Mormon mission in Nebraska.[3]
Neon Trees' origins lay in Southern California in 2004 after Glenn's father suggested he play music with guitarist Chris Allen, the son of one of Glenn's father's friends.[4] In 2005, they moved to Provo, Utah and formally founded Neon Trees, adding bassist Branden Campbell and drummer/backing vocalist Elaine Doty (who is now Elaine Bradley) in 2007.[5] The band became well known in the music scene around Provo and Salt Lake City.
In 2007, Ronnie Vannucci, Jr. (drummer for The Killers), who knew Campbell from a previous band, saw Neon Trees playing at a small venue in Las Vegas and was impressed. As such, in 2008, The Killers invited the band to open for them during their North American tour.
Neon Trees released their first full-length album, Habits in 2010. One song from that album, "Animal", which Glenn co-wrote was a hit. A second song co-written by Glenn, "Everybody Talks" from their 2011 album Picture Show was also a top 10 hit in 2012.
Personal life
Although some fans have speculated that Glenn is gay, Glenn has stated that he is not and has spoken about a girl that he dated for two years and nearly married (their breakup is the subject of the song "Our War" on the Habits album).[6] Glenn has stated that misperceptions about his sexuality prompted the song "Teenage Sounds" from the Picture Show album; the song contains the lyric "I'm sick of being called a fag because I'm queer."[7] In an interview, Glenn explained what he meant by that lyric: "“I thought of the line not in a sexual way but in fact that I’ve been called a fag since I was probably 11 years old for dressing different or listening to different music. For being me. I can only imagine how frightening it would be to be gay and be called that relentlessly."[8]
With respect to his Mormon faith, Glenn stated in a 2012 interview: "The way I was raised and being a questioner, and getting a lot of my curiosities out early with drugs and alcohol, I think it’s helped me maintain a more even keel where I’m not out of control."[9] It has been widely reported that Glenn and the other members of Neon Trees do not drink alcohol or use drugs.[10]
Songwriting credits
| Year | Artist | Song | Co-written with | U.S. peak position | U.K. peak position |
| 2009 | Neon Trees | "Animal" | Tim Pagnotta, Chris Allen, Branden Campbell, Elaine Bradley | 13[11] | 40[12] |
| 2010 | Neon Trees | "1983" | — | — | |
| 2010 | Neon Trees | "Your Surrender" | S*A*M and Sluggo | — | — |
| 2011 | Neon Trees | "Everybody Talks" | Tim Pagnotta | 6[13] | — |
| 2012 | Kaskade ft. Neon Trees | "Lessons in Love" | Ryan Raddon, John B. Hancock, Finn Bogi Bjarnson, Chris Allen, Branden Campbell, Elaine Bradley | — | — |
References
- ↑ "Tyler Glenn High School Yearbook Photo, fanpop.com
- ↑ Doyle, Patrick (July 29, 2010). "Artist of the Week: Neon Trees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
- ↑ Pat Reavy, "Provo-based Neon Trees serve it up ‘Animal’ style", Deseret News, Oct. 28, 2010.
- ↑ Doyle, Patrick (July 29, 2010). "Artist of the Week: Neon Trees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
- ↑ Clayton Perry, "Interview: Tyler Glenn (of Neon Trees)", Seattle PI, Apr. 26, 2011
- ↑ Doyle, Patrick (July 29, 2010). "Artist of the Week: Neon Trees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
- ↑ Courtney E. Smith, "Neon Trees Explain 'Queer' Lyric", http://923now.cbslocal.com
- ↑ Courtney E. Smith, "Neon Trees Explain 'Queer' Lyric", http://923now.cbslocal.com
- ↑ Bryan Reesman, "Interview with Tyler Glenn from Neon Trees: Retroactive Bliss", The Aquarian Weekly, May 2, 2012
- ↑ See, e.g., Francesca Tay, "When the Neon Lights Go Down…", theurbanwire.com, July 28, 2011
- ↑ Billboard.com
- ↑ Official Chart Company
- ↑ Billboard.com
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tyler Glenn. |
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