1. Ryan Denner
Double Page Spread Article
A few months ago no one had heard of upcoming pop sensation Marc Tyler,
yet this week he is set to get to No.1 on both sides of the Atlantic with his
debut album, ‘Distant Wisdom’.
This time last year Marc was just an unknown 18 year old living on a council estate near Manchester
with no idea what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, until one day he received a call from
independent label XL Records who had spotted him on YouTube, singing a cover of Ed Sheerans hit
song ‘The A Team’. Within hours he was taken to XL’s headquarters in London where he signed to
their record label and has never looked back since. After gaining huge popularity after releasing his
emotional debut single ‘Heart Broken’ he is now set to become one of the biggest popstars in the
world, and as he continues his efforts for world domination, we have managed to get an exclusive
interview with Marc, to discuss the life changing adventure he has embarked on.
What did you think when XL records rang you to say that they wanted you to sign for their label?
‘It was just a normal Wednesday morning and I had just got up and was getting ready to go to work,
then next minute XL had rang and were sending a car to pick me up and take me to their office. All
the time I was just thinking what the hell is happening and I was in complete shock.’
What was your life like before all of this happened?
‘Pretty crap to be honest. I was working my a**e off every day in my local HMV for hardly enough
money to do anything with. I couldn’t even afford to go out with my mates most weeks. This whole
experience has really changed my life and I am so glad I will never have to live like that again’
Your first single Heart Broken was very emotional and lots of fans could relate to the lyrics. Was it
written about anyone in particular?
‘I would like to say no but actually yes it was. I wrote it about my ex-girlfriend who left me shortly
before I got signed. She was fed up with us never have any money to do stuff, while all her friend’s
boyfriends were taking them out for meals every week. It all ended in a big argument on her
birthday when all I got her was some flowers and chocolates, when she had been asking for a
necklace she had seen in town. I told her I couldn’t afford it and that was the final straw for her so
she left that night. I was left absolutely devastated after this, as all I wanted was to settle down and
be happy with her. I was becoming depressed as all my life seem to revolve around was working to
have enough money to live off; however this all changed just a month later when XL called. I then
decided to write a song about how I felt as I knew lots of other people would be facing the same
problems and I hoped this might motivate them to never give up on their ambitions.’
You have managed to do what few UK artists do, and become a hit both here and America. What
is the difference between fans over here and in the US?
‘Fans over there are crazy. I met one girl who had my name tattooed down her arms and a big
picture of my face tattooed on her back. I was just thinking you are going to regret that at some
point. My face isn’t exactly something you want to see every day when you wake up.’ *Laughing*
You were spotted by XL from a video you put on YouTube. Did you ever think someone would
notice you and all this would happen?
‘No, never in my wildest dreams. I just wanted people to hear my voice and singing was the only
thing keeping me sane at this time. It was such a shock when XL Records rang me. I knew this kind of
thing had happened before, but I never thought anything like this would ever happen to me. I am so
grateful that they gave me a chance to share my talent with the world.’
2. Ryan Denner
You are about to go on your first would tour next month starting in America. Do you miss your
family and friends while you are away for these long period of time?
‘I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss them at all, however I speak to my mum and dad a few times a
week over Skype so, even though I am not actually there with them I still have the opportunity to
see them. I had moved out from my parents’ house over a year before I got signed so I was used to
living apart from them which I think helped make this lifestyle change a lot easier. I know that my
family and friends are proud of what I am doing and support me which helps make not seeing them
for these long periods easier as well as I would hate to lose touch with them.’
What inspired your passion for music and encouraged you to pursue a career in it?
‘I have always had an interest in music ever since my parents bought me my first guitar at the age of
seven. I never stopped playing that guitar and treated it like my best friend. It is because of them I
have got to here I am today.’
Your debut album looks set to head straight to the number 1 spot this week? How does this make
you feel?
‘I am so happy that people have accepted me into the music industry and are buying the album. My
fans have been supportive ever since the first single and I made the album for them as much as I did
for myself. I never thought that I would achieve this level of success so quickly. It really is life
changing.’