Watch Neon Trees Perform Live at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Neon Trees‘ Tyler Glenn underwent a pretty big change between his band’s 2012 album Picture Show and this year’s Pop Psychology: He came out of the closet in Rolling Stone, and revealed many of the new LP’s songs are about his struggle to come to terms with being gay and Mormon at the same time. “Sleeping With a Friend” is indeed about sleeping with a friend — a straight man. And a close listen to to the jittery “Text Me in the Morning” reveals a deeper meaning. “If you listen to it, it’s me running from a girl the whole time,” he told RS. “It was the first song I felt I didn’t have to write from a guy-liking-a-girl’s perspective. It was fun to be playful in that way.”
When the band members spoke to RS for their profile, they hadn’t yet tested the new tracks on the road — or seen what audiences’ reactions would be to out-and-proud Glenn. “We’re not going to try to be something we’re not,” Glenn had said then. “I’m really excited about that. I’m excited to tour on the record and feel a sense of confidence.”
Now the band is in the full swing of its Pop Psychology tour, and Glenn reports fans have been overwhelmingly supportive of both him and the band’s new material, which was inspired by a broad range of artists, from New Wave icons to punk heroes. Watch the band talk about the albums and acts that have influenced them, plus three beautifully shot songs RS captured live at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas right here:
“Text Me in the Morning”
“Sleeping With a Friend”
“Animal”
Interview: Neon Trees on the Artists That Inspire Them Most