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PROVO -- Utah isn't really known for being a "star-studded" state, but a few local bands have gone big and left their mark on the music industry. Imagine Dragons has now joined their ranks by recently signing with Interscope Records.
Imagine Dragons originated in Provo while lead singer, Dan Reynolds was attending Brigham Young University. Guitarist, Wayne Sermon is an American Fork native, and the band claims Utah Valley as "home" and that it is close to their heart. Consequently, Reynolds and Sermon also belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Reynolds began playing music when he was 10 years old. He started with piano lessons, and then in seventh grade moved to guitar, and also picked up playing drums for a few years along the way. He grew up in Las Vegas, and through mutual friends met the other members of the band. They are a very close-knit group and Reynolds described their band as "family."
The band has purposely remained as an underground music source for years by choosing to not sign with any record companies or labels because they wanted to remain in control of their music. They simply built their fan base by advertising on Facebook and doing local shows.
I hope to portray an image of hope, acceptance, and non-judgment for people.
–- Dan Reynolds, lead singer, Imagine Dragons
According to Reynolds, they have finally decided to sign with a label because "the right circumstances and timing was right." Imagine Dragons feels their fan base has really grown, and a label front can help continue to expose their music by radio and marketing. "No band should have a goal to just sign a label," said Reynolds. "We got to a point where it works for us. And the reason we signed with Interscope Records is because we agreed that we still have creative control. We will still sound like Imagine Dragons."
Imagine Dragons well represents Utah by remaining a positive source in an industry with ever shifting morals. Because several of the band members are LDS, they try to send a message of spirituality by not using profanity in their lyrics or in their shows. "I would probably say that I would want people to remember how we were an uplifting source for them, and how we were emotionally moving. I hope to portray an image of hope, acceptance, and non-judgment for people."
The music that Imagine Dragons produces could be described as having a happy, Indy feel with a fast, playful beat that is almost contagious and makes you feel the impulse to sway and tap your feet. They have a unique style with a keyboard and synthesizers to match the drum beat and guitarists, and then the almost pleading voice of Reynolds fills in the spaces with his unique vocal sound. "Some of our influences for our band were the sounds of Arcade Fire, Muse, Phoenix, and Coldplay. We have also opened for Weezer in the past. And that was cool because they were one of my favorite bands growing up," Reynolds explained as he talked about where they get some of the inspiration for their sound.
We never want to be the band that outgrows where we came from. We want to stay true to our message and music.
–- Dan Reynolds, lead singer, Imagine Dragons
Although no longer based locally, the band wants to keep their local roots strong. "We never want to be the band that outgrows where we came from," said Reynolds. "We want to stay true to our message and music." True to their word, Imagine Dragons will perform in Provo during the month of January where Reynolds has said they have had some of their favorite performances.
Imagine Dragons will release an EP (teaser Album) in February to help introduce their music to the mainstream world. Later this year, the band has plans to release their first full length album.
