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PROVO -- BYUtv is doing something they have never done before- a 13-week show solely about music. Each episode will highlight an underground Indy band from across the country. Part of that exposure will include local band, Imagine Dragons, and local filmmaker, Matt Eastin who is bringing the production to life.
Imagine Dragons, one of the bands featured on the show, has local ties, and has done many performances at the Velour in Provo where they began to gain popularity. Eastin had done some music videos for the band, and they saw his talent then and became excited to work with him on the new show being produced by BYUtv, AUDIO-FILES.
"We knew how great and skillful they are," said Dan Reynolds, lead singer of Imagine Dragons. "This is a great way for all fans to get a more in depth view of the band, and to get to know us better. There are a lot of new fans to be had in that demographic [of BYUtv,] and it will give them a new first look at the band."
Eastin's company, The Violet Suitcase, followed the band on the road for a few shows, and took footage of them in concert, as well as doing several sit-down interviews and more relaxed acoustic sessions.
Along with Imagine Dragons, Eastin will follow 12 other bands around the country as well. His passion for music and film are being combined in the television series, but the hardest part for him is selecting the bands.
"We are incredibly picky about the bands we showcase," said Eastin. "For now, at least, we're going with quality over quantity."
A few of the bands from across the country that have been chosen to appear on AUDIO-FILES are LOW, Mason Jennings, Paper Route and Joshua James. "I couldn't be more excited about our lineup for Season One," said Eastin.
BYUtv content development coordinator, Jared Shores, has high hope for the new series as well, and the new demographic that it will reach. "This is a direction we want to be going for the station in general," said Shores. "We want a program that is entertaining and elevating, and it will reach out to an audience that we have never been able to talk to. As a bi-product, it will change the face of BYUtv."
Along with attracting a college age demographic, Shores is also excited about the new show because of his love for music. "Our whole goal is to find artists that are maybe off the radar when it comes to top 40 charts," said Shores. "These bands have all the talent and passion, but are unknown to the public. It's not really us favoring the Underdog Indy bands. The genre of Indy is just expansive."
Eastin and Shores both agree that the show will be unique, real and different from other music channels. "On any given episode of AUDIO-FILES, you're far more likely to see an artist playing an acoustic guitar in his/her backyard, than see something that feels overproduced," said Eastin. "We're not reading questions off of a cue card."
AUDIO-FILES has already created some buzz for underground music lovers in Utah Valley, and fans are eagerly awaiting the first episode that will air on Tuesday April 10 at 6:30 and 9:30 MDT. For more information about the show, filmmaker or bands, visit BYUtv AUDIO-FILES.
