Biography

Tyler Glenn is a singer and keyboardist who was introduced to the pop, rock, alternative, and dance charts as frontman for Neon Trees before embarking on a solo career. A self-taught musician, he spent his formative years in Southern California, where Neon Trees began to take root before Glenn and guitarist Chris Allen relocated to Provo, Utah for Allen's studies. After adding bass player Branden Campbell and drummer Elaine Bradley, the Utah band gained a reputation for energetic local shows. Soon, their new wave-tinged sound attracted the attention of the Killers, who invited them to open on part of their 2008 North American tour. In early 2009, Neon Trees were signed to Mercury Records; they were also voted Band of the Year by Salt Lake City's City Weekly. The group's Mercury debut, Habits, arrived in early 2010, and the single "Animal" became a Billboard Alternative Songs number one. Following the release of their 2012 album Picture Show, the band toured alongside the likes of the Flaming Lips and the Offspring, as well as performing their hit song "Everybody Talks" on that year's edition of America's Got Talent. After reuniting with Habits producer Tim Pagnotta to record their third album, Pop Psychology in 2013, Glenn revealed in March 2014 that he was gay. A similar soul-searching mood ran throughout the album, which arrived that April. In 2015, the band returned with the non-album single "Songs I Can't Listen To," and Glenn contributed to holiday supergroup Band of Merrymakers for the Welcome to Our Christmas Party LP. In April 2016, Glenn released his first song as a solo artist. The brusk electro-pop single "Trash" and its accompanying music video drew controversy for criticizing the conservative values of the singer's former faith, Mormonism. Titled Excommunication, his full-length debut arrived on Island Records that fall. ~ Marcy Donelson & Heather Phares, Rovi