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5 music videos filmed in Utah

5 music videos filmed in Utah

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Although seemingly out of the way, Utah is a state boasting many appearances in the media. From Hollywood blockbusters to incredible talent, Utah is home to some incredible people and places.

When it comes to Utah hosting high-profile media events, music videos are no exception. In fact, some Utah landscapes provided the setting that eventually created the iconic "old west look," such as Monument Valley in Southern Utah.

We at KSL teamed up with Robert J. DeBry to bring you five music videos that were filmed in Utah:

1. 'On Top Of The World' by Imagine Dragons

Some of the band's first performances happened at Velour, a Provo-based live music venue. According to Velour owner Corey Fox, who Imagine Dragons contacted to make the video, told a local news outlet, "They actually wanted to do it in Vegas because they only had a couple day window . . . we talked them into doing it here in Utah."

With the help of a local production company and local talent, Imagine Dragons created its 2013 music video "On Top Of The World" in a matter of days. The finished product depicts several Provo homes and locations, but the real draw to Utah seems to have been Fox and his talented team.

2. 'Prophecy' by SOULFLY

SOULFLY, a band that performs a mix of metal genres, chose to film its music video on the Navajo reservation that spans Southern Utah and Northern Arizona in Monument Valley.

Interestingly enough, this wasn't the first time Monument Valley appeared in media. In fact, it first became popular after providing the setting for old western films such as "The Lone Ranger."

Other artists have used the famous landscapes of Monument Valley to create their music videos, including big names like Metallica and Kanye West.

3. 'Les Misérables Medley' by Lindsey Stirling

YouTube sensation Lindsey Stirling found help and talent in a place that professional productions might not think to look — at a local high school. Herriman High School transformed its auditorium for the use of Stirling and her crew as they made her "Les Misérables Medley" video that was released in March 2015.

Even more astonishing is that Stirling also turned to the school for actors and musicians to be in the video. According to vice principal Richard Price, "Lindsey agreed to have about 50 students present during the filming of her new video."

So although no famous Utah landscapes made it in, a Utah high school and its students benefitted from a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

4. 'Christmas In L.A. ft. Dawes' by The Killers

Speaking of using local student talent, The Killers and Owen Wilson teamed up with the animation program at BYU to create their 2013 Christmas single, "Christmas In L.A." Killers frontman Brandon Flowers originally asked Jared Hess to produce his music video, but the "Napoleon Dynamite" director suggested Flowers try the animation students at BYU, Hess' alma mater.

BYU animation and BYU media arts students worked together on the production, spending countless hours on their campus in Provo. Regarding the whole experience, BYU student Josh Poulsen said, "It was the funnest and most enthusiastic group I've ever worked with."

5. 'When Stars and Salt Collide' by the Piano Guys

This particular song offers a piano/cello cover of Coldplay's "Sky Full of Stars," and was filmed on the iconic Utah Salt Flats. According to the video description on its website, The Piano Guys felts that there was no better venue "than a place of our 'roots' and where (founders') names would be the 'stars' of the film."

Dedicated to all those who helped make The Piano Guys possible, this music video highlights Utah's natural scenery through some incredible time-lapse shots of the sky on the salt flats. This, coupled with upbeat music and meaningful design, makes a video worth watching.

So the next time you want to shoot a really amazing music video, choose Utah's timeless landscapes and budding talent.

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Brandview
Robert J. DeBry and Associates

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