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PROVO — The music scene in Provo is unique and, now, it's getting spotlighted by the National Public Radio.
NPR's recurring daily series World Café highlights the unique aspects and emerging artists of musical hotspots in cities across the world and, this week, it's looking at various Provo success stories.
Seven episodes of "Sense of Place: Provo, Utah" will be released between Jan. 18 and Jan. 26, each focusing on a different musician or musical influencer in Provo.
"We're excited to showcase a group of pioneering musicians and music lovers in this new 'Sense of Place' series," World Cafe Host Raina Douris said. "On the surface, Provo seems like a quiet mountain town, but when you scratch the surface you'll find a lively music scene that is both influenced by — and rebelling against — the strong LDS Church presence there."
One episode discusses the Velour Live Music Gallery and its impact on music performance in the community where bands such as Imagine Dragons and Neon Trees have found their start. It also showcases The National Parks and recording facility June Audio's contribution to up-and-coming local bands.
In May 2022, Imagine Dragons member Dan Reynolds paid off the mortgage for Velour Live Music Gallery.
"This place is so much more than a music venue. I didn't understand that until I was able to see so many music venues. This was the first venue I ever played at, so I'm spoiled," Reynolds said in 2022.
Other episodes review Provo Music Magazine as a venue, and how it describes the unique musical sound of Provo as "dusty Deseret," the first women's rock and roll band, and breakout band Little Moon who has garnered national attention after winning NPR's 2023 Tiny Desk Contest.
Another episode explores the story of The Aces, a band whose members talk about their experience growing up queer in a predominantly religious community and how it influences their music.
The final episode will feature JTM, an artist and rapper formerly known as James the Mormon, and dives into why he almost left music and religion behind after gaining popularity.
JTM's first full-length album "We Came To Play" was released in 2018 and made it into iTunes' top-10. He told KSL.com in 2018 his goal with music was to spread awareness and positive news of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through an unconventional medium — in his case, hip-hop — and show that church members are regular people, too.
