Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees Pt. 2 - Struggling with Fame and Authenticity

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Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees Pt. 2 - Struggling with Fame and Authenticity - Mormon Stories Ep. 632

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Күн бұрын

Tyler Glenn is best known as the lead singer of the multi-platinum alternative pop band Neon Trees.
Tyler was raised LDS/Mormon in Temecula, California. After discovering a love for music in high school and serving an LDS mission, Tyler moved to Provo, UT with his buddy Chris to form Neon Trees (named after the trees on the In and Out signs). Neon Trees signed with Mercury Records in 2009 and went on to release three successful alternative pop albums: Habits (2010), Picture Show (2012), and Pop Psychology (2014).
Tyler knew he was gay as a child, but struggled as a teen and adult to reconcile his sexuality with his LDS faith. These struggles took Tyler to some sad/dark places, which were only exacerbated by his fame as a pop star. At age 27 (around the release of Picture Show), Tyler seriously contemplated ending his life.
In spite of these struggles, Tyler remained a full and literal believer in the LDS Church. In 2014 Tyler decided that being a closeted gay man was contributing to his suicidality. Consequently he came out as gay to his family, band, friends -- and to the world in Rolling Stone magazine -- prior to the release of Pop Psychology. From this point forward it was Tyler's full intent to find and marry a gay man, and to raise children in the LDS church as a gay married Mormon.
Then, in November of 2015, the LDS church released its new policy branding same-sex married Mormons as immediate apostates, and prohibiting children of same-sex married couples from being baptized. This policy change sent Tyler into a tailspin, ultimately shattering his plans as a believing, gay Mormon.
In this three part interview, we explore:
Part 1: Tyler's early years as a young Mormon struggling with his sexuality.
Part 2: Tyler's ascent (along with Neon Trees) into stardom...and the sadness/despair that followed.
Part 3: Tyler's faith crisis instigated by the LDS policy change, along with his current beliefs/views regarding the LDS Church.
Part 1: • Tyler Glenn of Neon Tr...
Part 2: • Tyler Glenn of Neon Tr...
Part 3: • Tyler Glenn of Neon Tr...
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Timecodes:
00:33 Band reputation and reality
04:55 Chris leaves the church
09:47 From a regional band to going big. Finding identity on stage
17:37 Performing onstage having an effect - Arguments about it
21:55 Being a front man - how it affects you
26:07 Are tours fun?
37:20 “Measuring” success & Different categories of stars
45:24 Volatility in the music industry
48:10 What leads up to coming out?
57:40 Breaking point & Therapy
1:04:36 Starts writing songs & touring again
1:08:44 Telling the producer
1:11:30 Telling his mother. Relationship with his father and coming out to him
1:25:40 Coming out to bandmates
1:30:12 Coming out in Rolling Stone magazine. Follow up
1:40:50 John sharing what his thoughts were at the time
1:42:25 Tyler reacting. More follow up
1:46:49 Being gay and LDS: trying to make it work
1:50:10 Coming out: fans reaction. Feeling whole again. Discussing the stigma around being gay
#LDS #Mormon #NeonTrees #TylerGlenn #PostMormon #ExMormon #MormonStories

Пікірлер: 24

@Valboy380 3 жыл бұрын

One of the most compelling, honest, heartfelt, emotional interviews I've heard. I'm a 62 yr old gay return missionary who left the church right after my mission. Convert at 19, on mission a year later. Mega respect for Tyler. Great job!

@Whatsarahsays77 8 жыл бұрын

These interviews always make me feel less alone in my experiences. Thank you for producing them and creating this community John! Thanks for being so candid and open Tyler!

@jessicaaustin3076 6 жыл бұрын

I love you Tyler Glenn. So real, true and raw. You're an amazing human!

@jeromelj1010 3 жыл бұрын

As I listen to you I keep thinking about the chapters to my unwritten book about my experiences as a Mormon and out of the church.

@kerstinnanny 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you for a really interesting interview. I can't wait to go on listening on the third part. John Dehlin you are doing such a great job - I love your interviewing technique, you are bringing up the toughest questions with such grace and respect. I am a big fan of yours and of the work you are doing.

@gdouglas999 8 жыл бұрын

Tyler seems like a great guy. I'm a senior who loves a lot of today's best pop music--Arcade Fire, Killers, Coldplay--and I've been a fan of Neon Trees since "Animal." I never guessed that Tyler is gay until "Songs I Can't Listen To," but it matters NOT. In fact, it makes him more appealing.

@alexconn2675 7 жыл бұрын

Neon trees is one of my fav bands

@imck76 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your journey! The crowed always responds to your authenticity. Prince was soft spoken off stage. If people read his lyrics he was not saying what it sound like. lol. I think he was playful that way. It helps to have a band around you that gets your reinvention process. He was real discerning about who he worked with. It's easy to forget what you want or are really about in church or any group setting.

@h.r.9563 2 жыл бұрын

Woo this is amazing!!!

@ScottBub 2 жыл бұрын

Animal, Sleeping with a Friend, Everybody Talks, and 1983 are all good ones from Neon Trees and then the whole Tyler Glenn album Excommunication is really good.

@alexconn2675 7 жыл бұрын

girls and boys in school is one of my favorite songs from Neon Trees and thats a super sexual song. It actually has a feel that Tyler is going back to with his new album.

@alyssaschollenberger4516 4 жыл бұрын

Tyler should have played the freedy mercury of queen in bohemian rhapsody

@terrycarleson6371 5 жыл бұрын

Great

@dianethulin1700 3 жыл бұрын

The Offspring are big! I think of them as pop-punk, not as hardcore as a lot of punk

@ScottBub 2 жыл бұрын

So. It was always quite apparent to me when Neon Trees had music videos that the lead singer was gay. I had been around enough gay people to just see it in the way he carried himself. The feminine vibe, the way he lip synced his songs, and his attire in the music videos. All this was just to say that Neon Trees was never a “gay” band to me. The band I listen to that would actually get that title would have been “Orgy”. Punk Statik Paranoia and Candyass are both really good albums.

@lumanwalters_ 8 жыл бұрын

anyone know whatever happened to the other two guys in elaine's old band another statistic?

@Brother.official 4 жыл бұрын

Luman Walters they’re still playing together! They go by Noble Bodies now

@kimmychan1967 3 жыл бұрын

Jared Leto is secular Jesus. John I hope you know who he is now. Haha. Just kidding.

@shenanigans3710 7 жыл бұрын

Tyler's struggle with his sexuality is very interesting and touching, but the touring stuff is a massive snooze. BTW who the hell thought putting you on a tour with Offspring was a good idea?

@ianharris3502 5 жыл бұрын

This whole interview has been absolutely fascinating.

@somebodytookmyname1 Жыл бұрын

1:53:33 💔💔💔 “I feel like I was told my whole life that everyone hates me because I’m gay, or hates my sexual orientation… but I realized, that the person who hated it most, was me. I hated myself. It was me that sabotaged it a lot. And, the beautiful life lesson is I think there are a lot of really good people out there that DO have LOVE. I think coming out is important because it continues to not only add to the conversation, that we are not these weirdos- we are just people- and you have friends and family that are also gay and struggling. The time is ‘now’ to stop that [struggle].”❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹