Interview: Neon Trees Will Start A Fire

Richie Adomako / March 16, 2010

Day in and day out, breeds of musicians pop up and just as easily, go out the door before you even take notice. Very few times do you find the likes of Tyler Glenn (lead vocals/keyboards), Chris Allen (guitars), Branden Campbell (bass), and Elaine Bradley (drums/vocals) who make-up Neon Trees.

Of sheer mystique with roots in punk rock and electronica, the Neon Trees express their youth in song. The group has a sense of spiritual development through behavioral assessment and explorations that are essentially revealed in song through rhythm and beat. Their new album, Habits, is about bad habits developed from love, life and relationships. Upon seeing the group last December on their first tour-stop in New York City, it was apparent within minutes that their chemistry is hard to come by. Along with what they say in lyric, they sing out and play loud too– yet, the nuance of their instruments never get lost in between. The combination of Tyler Glenn’s fiery vocals with the band’s punk riffs shows that the Neon Trees have learned the rules and are now at a point where they’re writing their own – they feel the music and exude it through means of emotional energy.

Great new bands are met with comparisons to other great bands we hope they would be like, but thus far, the Neon Trees are different – writing their own book and story, a story that will develop on its own because they have so much character. Their smooth combination of pop hooks and rock melodies stand out like an anthem of the youth. With a refreshing vibe, their songs are painted with the charisma of stories that ring with ballads of musical intensity and sensuality by artists who are in-tune with their passion. The group is already making headway to SXSW before their tour with 30 Seconds to Mars and Mute Math this April. (we’re pretty sure that somewhere along the way Tyler Glenn inspired Jared Leto’s new haircut)

Neon Trees – Animal

Check out the official music video for “Animal“

Their debut album, Habits, comes out today. Click through for an interview with vocalist and keys player Tyler Glenn, where he dishes on the band and talks about aspects of their journey, followed by photos of their December performance and their video for “Calling My Name”.

Interview with Neon Trees

You’re a fairly young group. What is the story behind Neon Trees? The story… I think the story with us is we’re a bunch of dreamers with the same dream. Were all very very different people, but we do have that one thing in common. Yes, we are young – young in age, young at heart, and quite young in this industry. Oh man, I never thought I’d get to the point of calling it an industry!

Where are you from, where did you meet and what were some memorable efforts leading to this point? We all come from different spots of the country. Chris and I are from the same neighborhood in Murrieta, CA. It’s this really beige suburb in between LA and San Diego. One of those “great places to raise a family.” Branden is from Las Vegas and Elaine from Chicago.

We all met in Provo, Utah and formed the band from other bands – some of the band [members] were going to college up there. There’s a great little art and music culture. Musically, a lot of it is very folk and Americana inspired. Some great rock bands, but we weren’t really doing either type of music – which I think helped us stand out at first.

The first time I ever saw Branden play bass, I was in awe. I’d never paid attention to the bass guitar ever. He captivated me in his playing. I always followed what he was up to after that first time. I think he was a musical crush, and I think I fell hard! [Laughs] It is fortunate that we also became quite good friends. He’s a great bassist and a great guy to have around. Really, I couldn’t ask for a better rhythm section.

Back in 2005, the band Chris and I first played in up here in Provo was in a battle of the bands – the band Elaine drummed in it at the time. I remember totally being competitive and even hating them just because they were on top of the scene at the time. They beat us too! Its great how it all ended up though.

What are your musical backgrounds? How do they work into the dynamics of the group? We all come from very different places. That may be a reason why we ended up so cohesive musically as a band.

For myself, I am the youngest and grew up listening to Pop music since I was four. I just love a good pop song. But then in junior high and high school I developed a distinct affinity for new wave, punk and post punk bands from the 70’s and 80’s. I am heavily influenced by the melody you find in that type of music. I think Pop music is my heart and the punk and new wave influences are my soul. I also have a real love for very heavy music.

I grew up dancing in all forms professionally till I was eleven. That influenced the kind of music I create today, because the rhythm and beat is so important to me. I played in a punk band in high school, we thought we were the Clash, but we weren’t even close. After that, I got into creating music on my own on a four track. I wrote and recorded two albums of songs on it. Probably one of the most influential gifts I was ever given.

Elaine’s musical taste seems to always be developing as I get to know her more over the years. I thought I had her pegged as a strictly old emo and indie music fan, but I have learned she loves Pop music just as much as myself. I know she loves Depeche Mode as much as she loves Aimee Mann. She’s the only other person I see regularly that loves Morrissey and The Smiths also, probably even more than myself. She’s played music from a very young age in a variety of bands before this one.

Chris was pretty profound to me when we first started making music together. It was very striking how he played – almost like he only knew how to play in the difficult or more complicated way. It was more of a struggle or effort to play simply. He had tapes and tapes of lyric-less songs he recorded since he was sixteen. He played in various bands and shows here and there, but this band was definitely his first real long-term band. He described a moment in his youth where all he loved was classic rock and Metallica, and then in high school he became obsessed with Sunny Day Real Estate, and it all kind of evolved from there. Some of his greater musical loves vary from Talking Heads to REM.

Branden’s musicality is probably the most diverse of all of us. One time, he and I took an eight-hour drive from Utah to LA and most of the time was spent talking about all of the bands he’s been in. I wrote it all down and did a time line of all of them. I think some people would be really bored with hearing that much, but I thoroughly loved hearing about all the different groups he was a part of, and all the adventures he’d had. I think we documented thirty-six bands ranging from punk, jazz, soul, to folk. He eats and breathes music. It really truly flows through his veins. Put Neil Young or any Paul Weller on and he’s yours.

How would you describe your music and your sound? One time we thought Post Punk Soul summed it up. If that makes any sense. We want to be a band that make people feel and sing along to. We aren’t ashamed of our Pop sensibility, just as much as were not ashamed of our more aggressive and darker moments as well.

Between announcement and arrival, where would you say the group is right now in terms of a music career and where do you picture it heading? We are quite young, but we aren’t without successes and accomplishments. I think it’s all someone’s point of view in regards to success in music. My point of view of the music industry changes every day as I get to know more and develop more of a security with where I want to be in my career.

I think it was crucial for us to be on the same page as far as recognizing that we all wanted this as our job as well, and not just as a hobby or an escape. That kind of thing can be very scary at first, especially for people like us that treat music as some sort of spiritual place.

We are making our way. Signing to a label may be an end to some, but its something that we see as the beginning. We still get excited at every little thing that comes our way, just because we want to always enjoy and revel in what we are doing. A label can be very helpful and supportive, but it isn’t the definitive answer for a band. We are proud to be a part of the Mercury Records family. It’s a label that’s got integrity. We are about to release an album; we have gotten free clothes, and won a best band of the year award in Utah. All of that is radical, but I think the stuff that makes it all worth it, and I don’t mind sounding cliché here, bit its the fans and what they do for us as a band. It is the people that sing along. That is what makes this career for me.

What’s next for you guys? When you should we expect your album? We release our debut full-length record on March 16th 2010.

What is the album and what is it about? It’s called Habits. I wouldn’t say it’s a concept record or story record, although I really feel these songs do tell a story. I’d say the subject matter of habits and habitual behaviors are all discussed. More so habits of youth, and how they follow us as we grow. Bad habits that you develop, yes, but also the habits you develop from love and life and relationships. There is also a distinct theme of youth throughout the entire record.

Who are/were some your favorite bands/artists to listen to? For myself, I am in love right now with bands like Annorak, College and most of the Kitsune Maison compilations. Mostly electronic bands. I also love the latest Brand New record. I love the Big Pink and Passion Pit records. I am glad I never forgot how ridiculously good of a pop songwriter Michael Jackson is/was. Lady Gaga is absolutely fantastic. Old faves will always be Bruce Springsteen and the Smiths, no matter how in fashion it is or not to like them. Those two are my sanctuary.

If you were to put your IPod on shuffle right now, what songs are reoccurring at the moment? When we were recording our record, all I listened to was Neon Trees. I am finally just getting back into other bands again. So I am sure a Neon Trees song would come up. I’ll shuffle a couple right now. “Doot Doot” by Freur, “Dirty Mags” by Blueboy, “Sometimes” by My Bloody Valentine. Wow, you’d think I was in a shoegaze band or something!

What are some of the challenging aspects you face daily as a band? Daily? …The concept of being a major label band in the year 2010. The game is different. It doesn’t mean the same thing as it used to. I guess that’s what I mean by saying labels aren’t the only answer. I try and tell a lot of my friends in bands that very thing. Never see the label as the end goal. With that same notion, I am not the anti label type. Not at all. I just think there are other ways too.

I wish sometimes we were a band that existed when mystique was still around. That can be a struggle. Building a fan base is so different now than bands used to have it. It’s so much easier for a band to make it big, get some buzz, and fall apart all in one year, just because of over exposure. That’s why I think new bands with 5+ year careers these days are pretty admirable. It’s harder than ever to stay relevant and last.

How do you approach the music making process? It’s a group effort at times and it’s a more individual effort at times. It just depends on the song. I think everyone in the band always ends up putting their stamp on it somehow in the end, whether it’s a bass line that Branden brought to the table, or an entire song kinda’ strummed out loosely on an acoustic that I brought. It all varies. Sometimes I get a melody literally from the sound of walking around on a street. I revel in those moments. They’re like gifts. But, we never let anything out that we don’t think is good. Actually it’s all about cool at first usually. If it’s cool, we write it and create it. Then go back and see how we can make it cool, and good. [Laughs]. It’s a more difficult thing than some realize, the concept of having a song that is both cool and good.

We are at the changing point of music industry – from creation to delivery. From your experience, thus far, where do you see it heading? Ultimately, what roles do you think bands and musicians will have to play? – Beyond the music they make. As I have alluded to a couple times, as much as the game has changed and there are so many different challenges, there is also so much freedom. It seems now more than ever bands are being a part of all forms of media and culture and not just music. Every team seems to be playing together as far as business and music goes. But business and commercial aspects aside, it’s also easier to get tunes heard and created – which can be a bad thing in ways because of saturation, but great for bands that may have never had a chance before. I think as weird and unpredictable as it has been and may be right now. There is a very exciting wave coming. I think we are already on it actually. We, the music makers, and we, the music listeners.

Describe a moment of awe, when you felt “this is it!” Was it like you imagined? There have been two of those times so far that stand out – the kind of real awe. I don’t know if it was like “This is it, I made it,” but I remember back when we were struggling to even book shows and there was rumor of interest in our band from labels and such, but nothing concrete. The Killers invited us to play two of their shows as direct support, and I remember literally skipping home alone by myself sort of floating and skipping and smiling and saying, “this really means something.” It came at such a scary weird moment where we were all very very poor and borrowing money from parents and there was so much unsurely in our lives. So much pressure, and to have The Killers do that for us, to ask us, was such a gift at the time. It really helped us get heard in a way, but I think it also mended a lot of weird wounds from stress and doubt in the band. It was a nice bandage.

The other time was more recent. We were on our first nation wide tour, and it was hit or miss from night to night. But then we go to New York and played an acoustic set for the people at the label, as sort of a way to have everyone on the team get introduced to us intimately. Acoustic isn’t really our band’s thing. But we played three of our songs in this office with like 60 people crammed in. And during “Your Surrender” i literally felt like I was floating while I was singing. I was so happy in that moment to be singing and feeling these people feel what we were conveying to them. LA Reid was there, David Massey was there. These were people I used to think of as suits and ties. But in that room we were all just music fans and there was this distinct feeling of love in the room. That was another moment where I was like, “Wow, this is something.”

I get little moments like that every time we finish a show that gets new fans into our music. It’s like the reminder of why we do this. But also performing reminds me why I love music so much. There is no other feeling like performing and exuding your passion.

Studio Photos by L. R. Adams; Group Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Records

What’s next for Neon Trees, what should we expect from the group in the near future? Our single “Animal” is streaming on our website fameisdead.com and on myspace. (The single was released on vinyl in February.) Then the record Habits on March 16th. Expect to hear from us, that is the only thing I can count on. Regardless of what happens, I know we definitely aren’t shutting up any time soon.