The music of Imagine Dragons carries a kind of supernatural positive charge that magnetically attracts music lovers with completely different tastes.

The main styles in which the members of Imagine Dragons play are alternative and indie rock. But musicians are not limited to these genres only. In their work there is a lot of pop-rock and electronics, and in some places even folk-rock and hip-hop "slip through".

Unlike young rock bands that have been unable to move from garages to the stage for years, this unusual band almost immediately declared itself as a new star in the world of modern rock music.

The beginning of the story of Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds began his first steps in music in the form of playing the piano as early as 6 years old. Then, at the age of 13, he sneaked into his older brother's computer to turn on sound recording and sketch songs about his teenage experiences and frustrations.

But actually the story of Imagine Dragons began a little bit later - in 2008when Reynolds meets drummer Andrew Tolman while attending Brigham Young University.

Finding similarities in musical tastes and aspirations in life, the two students decide to form a band, which will include guitarist Andrew Back, bassist Dave Lemke and keyboard / violinist Aurora Florence.

The fluidity of the Imagine Dragons line-up

Over the next 9 years, the lineup of Imagine Dragons has changed several times. Therefore, if you are not a fan who wants to know all the smallest details from the history of the group, you can skip the next two paragraphs.

Not having played even a year in the group, Beck and Florence leave. Then in 2009, Tolman invites his school friend Wayne Sermon to play the guitarist. A little later, Andrew brings his wife Brittany Tolman into the band, who takes the seat behind the keys and sings the backing vocals. After that Lemke leaves and Ben McKee takes the place of bassist at the invitation of Sermon.

In 2011, the Tolman couple left the group. McKee invites drummer Daniel Platzman to replace Brittany, and Theresa Flaminio comes on keyboards to leave just six months later. After her, the group did not have a permanent keyboardist, but Ryan Walker (2012–2015), William Wells (2015–2017) and Eliot Schwartzman (2017–…) are invited for concert tours.

To date, permanent line-up of the group Imagine Dragons - vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dan Reynolds (the only one who lingered in the group from its inception to the present day), guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman.

Through hardships to the stars on the fast track

His musical career Imagine Dragons started out by winning the campus 'Battle of the Groups' and several other local contests (in Utah).

The first song "Speak to me" by Imagine Dragons was recorded in the year the band was founded (2008) with their original line-up.

Then Reynolds decides to move the group (already with a renewed lineup) to Las Vegas - to his home. The team begins to perform regularly, however, at first mostly at night - in casinos and strip bars.

But after performing at festivals Vegas Music Summit (in the role of headliners, in front of a 26,000 audience) and Bite of Las Vegas (Most In-Demand Band 2010), everything changes: invitations to radio broadcasts; high-profile titles ("Best Indie Band 2010", "Best Record 2011", etc.), awarded by reputable music publications; contract with a major record label (Interscope Records).

Before the signing of the contract, the group manages to record three mini-albums.... The self-titled debut EP "Imagine Dragons" will be released on September 1, 2009. The next year, on June 1, the second EP "Hell and Silence" will be released. The third mini-album “It’s Time” was released on March 12, 2011.

The fourth EP "Continued Silence" is already released on the Interscope label (14.02.12). Track number 1 "Radioactive" instantly conquers top positions in the music charts all over the world, nominated for a dozen awards (4 wins) and later becomes the hallmark of the team. In the United States, this track received diamond status. based on sales results (more than 10 million copies).

All 4 mini-albums are quite warmly received by critics and listeners. (especially "Continued Silence"). Subsequently, Reynolds reports that with the help of these releases the band "probed" the watersto release a really cool debut album.

What they actually did - September 4, 2012 "Night Visions" is released, recorded under the direction of producer Alex Da Kid.

Before longplay came out, as immediately began to "skim the cream": 1st place - in Scottish Albums and three TOP-charts of Billboard ("Rock Albums", "Alternative Albums" and "Catalog Albums"); 2nd - on the Billboard 200 and UK charts; other top positions in the weekly charts of 20 more countries.

In just 2 weeks, 83,000 copies were sold, making it the most successful debut album since 2006.

According to the sales results, Imagine Dragons' album "Night Visions" took "gold" in 7 countries. And "platinum" at 14. Of these - 4 times 2 times "platinum" (Austria, Mexico, Sweden, USA) and once 3 times (Canada)!

Also among the achievements of the debut album Imagine Dragons is the victory in the nomination "Top Rock Album" at the Billboard Music Awards 2014. And the composition "Radioactive", which the LP inherited from the EP that preceded it, was called "the biggest rock hit of the year" by Rolling Stone magazine.

Repeated, not so deafening, but still a success

Before releasing the second album, Imagine Dragons again decided to follow the proven path of "probing the soil" - releasing mini-releases.

The first EP "The Archive" was released (February 12, 2013). The band then wrote three soundtracks: "Monster" - for the iOS game "Infinity Blade III"; Battle Cry for Transformers: Age of Extinction; "Warriors" - for the motion picture "Divergent, Chapter 2: Insurgent".

And finally after the release of three more singles ("I Bet My Life", "Gold" and "Shots"), when the musicians realized that most of the new tracks "came" to listeners and critics, the release of the second disc was announced.

The release of Imagine Dragons' album "Smoke + Mirrors" took place on February 17, 2015. In his support, a world tour was held almost a year long (12.04.15–05.02.16).

Also, a video concert "Smoke + Mirrors Life" was filmed for the release of the album. It was shown in theaters around the world on March 2, 2016.

The criticism of the album was more mixed this time. - mostly positive, but there were also ratings marked "average". In particular, Metacritic rated Smoke + Mirrors 60/100.

As for the chart achievements of the second album, it basically repeated the successes of the debut album, in some places raising the bar even higher: 1st place in Canada, Scotland, Britain and three American Billboard charts.

And here with sales this time things went a little more modest - only "gold" status in 7 countries. Although, you must agree, the language still somehow does not turn to call such results a failure.

A fresh dose of indie rock from Imagine Dragons

The fans of the group can already prepare their ears: new album "Evolve" (the name is styled as ƎVOLVE) will be released very soon - June 23.

The fact that the disc will turn out to be of high quality can be judged by the already released singles.

In 2016, Imagine Dragons' songs "Sucker for pain" and "Levitate" were released. The latter continued the soundtrack "tradition" and sounded in the film "Passengers".

And this year the group has pleased with the compositions "Thunder", "Whatever it takes", "Walking The Wire" and an undisputed hit "Believer" featuring Dolph Lundgren in the video... And if the rest of the songs are at the same level just a great album awaits us.

In addition, Dan Reynolds claims that compared to the previous two full-lengths, Evolve is an evolution of Imagine Dragons.

A tour is also planned in support of the third album, which will kick off on September 26th. True, while the musicians plan to limit themselves to the cities of America.

For now, we still have to wait for the release (we will publish it on the same day) and hope that someday the Imagine Dragons will look in with a concert in our area.

Some interesting facts about Imagine Dragons

1. The creative process in a group usually comes down to the imposition of each participant of his party on a previously created computer model. After mixing, according to the band's frontman Dan Reynolds, from this kind of puzzle, the composition is obtained in the form in which it already reaches the ears of the listeners.

Therefore, even the performers themselves do not know what the next song will beuntil they finish it.

2. The "old-timers" of the group have quite interesting features.

McKee has no taste spices and is fond of sewing hats.

Sermon suffers from insomnia and composes music at night.

Reynolds - Mormonand he also suffers from depression and anxious behavior. In addition, he has a joint project with his wife Aja Volkman, Egyptian.

3. Although the translation of the name of the group Imagine Dragons ("To represent dragons" or "Imagine dragons") in itself is self-sufficient, in fact this is an anagram, the decoding of which only the musicians themselves know.

But that hasn't stopped fans from hypothesizing. The most popular are “gained in orgasm”, “a Gemini so grand”, “desiring a mango” and “radio for older men” (“ aged men's radio ").

4. The team in total was nominated 73 times for various music awards, while receiving 23 wins.

5. In addition to those already mentioned in the article, the Imagine Dragons group has also been featured in other films and games. In total, their music is used as soundtracks in nearly fifty films and toys.

The most famous: films "Iron Man 3", "Suicide Squad", "Legend", "Guest", "Frankenweenie", "Continuum", "Kung Fu Panda 3", " Angry Birds to the cinema"; TV series Arrow, The Vampire Diaries, Lucifer, The Hundred, True Blood, Beauty and the Beast, Riverdale, Orange Is the New Black; games "Assassin's Creed III", "FIFA 13", "Battlefield: Hardline", "Uncharted 4".

Imagine Dragons - North american ensemble of four musicians: soloist Dan Reynolds,Wayne Sermon (guitar, backing vocals), Dan Platzman ( percussion instruments, backing vocals) , and Ben McKee (bass). In this composition, the group has been performing since 2011. Before that, it changed several times. The musicians perform compositions in the styles of indie rock, pop rock, electronic rock, alternative rock, arena rock.

As told by Dan Reynolds, creator and soulImagine Dragons rock band biography began in 2008 year. After in 2009 and 2010. miniature albums releasedImagine Dragons and Hell and Silence,was awarded a contract with Interscope Records. Later, together with producer Alex Da Kid, the guys recorded a mini-compilation Continued Silence at Westlake Recording Studios.

Great achievements

Imagine Dragons Success Story started already from the moment the first single appeared -It's Time, which was written in 2012.They hit the charts 25 countries and the United States alone have sold 3 million copies.

Already the second piece,Radioactive, far surpassed the success of It's Time... In America, Canada, England and Germany, 12 million copies of the single were bought, which enjoyed immense popularity on the Internet.

All over the world people also listened to songs Demons and On Top of the World.

In September 2012, the first studio compilation, Night Visions, was released, which quickly rose to the second position.Billboard 200 and has been implemented millions of times. After its release, the guys went on a concert tour. The second LP, Smoke + Mirrors (2014), also appealed to music lovers, but compared to the success of Night Visions, sales lagged far beyond the expectations of the band and its record company. Singles from the albumI Bet My Life, Shots and Gold hummed only the most dedicated fans. However, they were certified platinum in the United States and gold in six other countries.

In June 2017 Imagine Dragons presented a number of world-wide hits... The Evolve compilation Believer and Thunder have been at the top of the charts for a long time.

These two songs made the musicians 6 gold and 21 platinum certificates richer. By the end of the year, Internet users had viewed the clips hundreds of millions of times. Also the mega hit Whatever It Takes exploded the world charts.

The band's concerts were held in different countries, including Russia, where they performed at the Moscow stadium "Olympic".

Best Rock Band

Imagine Dragons quickly turned intoone of the most fashionable modern rock bands. In just 4 years, the musicians have won many awards, including the International Dance Music Awards, American MusicAwards. They owe much of their success to frontman Dan Reynolds, who is the only member of the band who hasn't left since its inception. He knows how not only to sing, but also to support the audience.like at the Southside 2017 festival in a German cityNeuhausen ob Eck.

In view of the terrorist attacks that many countries had to endure before singing the song It’s Time, the performer addressed the guests of the festival: “This song is dedicated to all people around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks. It is the fault of the terrorists who want to prevent our hearts from meeting here tonight to listen to music. We are not afraid! Terrorism will never win! " The American was supported by other soloists.

Some details from personal life

AJ Volkman and Dan Reynolds

The personal life of the participants developed in different ways. Dan Reynolds, together with his wife, actress AJ Volkman, is raising three daughters. The first was born in 2013, and twins were born in March 2017. The singer posted a photo of the babies who were namedGia James and Coco Rae on the internet. “It was the most magical, hectic and amazing hours in our life,” he wrote about the birth of children. However, despite a happy family life and dizzying popularity, the vocalist often suffers from depression.
Wayne Sermon and his wife Alexandra with children

Imagine Dragons is a popular indie rock band from America that has become a real sensation and has not ceased to amaze its listeners around the world for many years. Their music brings together people with completely different tastes. All this is due to an unreal charge of positive energy, drive, a sense of the fullness of life in their texts and presentation. These guys have won recognition from the very beginning of their careers and have kept it to this day. The phenomenon of their popularity is due to the fact that they do what many have missed: high-quality bright music in the rock genre, combined with a life-affirming meaning.

Brief history of the group

It all started in 2008, when the future lead singer Dan Reynolds met Andrew Tolman, who played drums at the private Mormon University of Brigham Young, where they were both students. The young people decided to unite and invited other members to their team: Andrew Beck (guitar), Dave Lemke (bass) and Aurora Florence (keyboards). Soon the first victories came, in the university "Battle of the Groups" and similar competitions. Few people know that in the same year this line-up released a mini-album of five tracks called "Speak to Me". And already at that stage of their career, the group had many fans in the US state of Utah, especially in the city of Provo, where the university of its founders is located. But in the same 2008, Beck and Florence left the team.

The year 2009 was marked by the arrival of a new guitarist - Wayne Sermon, who was also Tolman's old friend, who had graduated from the College of Music by that time. The drummer's wife Brittany Tolman was invited to perform vocals and play the piano. A little later Lemke leaves the line-up. His place will be taken by Sermon's college friend Ben McKee, who played bass.

The performers decide to move to the homeland of the soloist - Las Vegas. During this period they released two discs: "Imagine Dragons", "Hell and Silence". Then the group performs most often in entertainment venues such as casinos and strip bars. However, in the new location, the chances of success were greater.

Widespread fame came by chance: the lead singer of the acclaimed rock band Train fell seriously ill shortly before the largest festival Bite of Las Vegas 2009. Imagine Dragons performed instead of them in front of an audience of more than 26 thousand people! A year later, they will be invited to the same event as "The Most In-Demand Group 2010". Imagine Dragons can now be heard on radio and are named "Best Indie Band of 2010". The third album, titled “It” s Time ”, released in 2011, brought the band their first contract with a major label, as well as the prize for“ Best Record of 2011. ”The Tolman family leaves the band in the same year, to which Daniel Platzman will join them and Teresa Flaminio (keyboards), the latter did not stay in the band for long and left the band at the beginning of 2012, making it the quartet that it remains to this day.

The fourth album "Continued Silence" was released in collaboration with Interscope for Valentine's Day 2012. This one, like the previous three EPs (mini-albums), has been well received by professional critics and general listeners. According to Reynolds, thanks to these releases, the musicians were able to understand how they can better develop in the future in order to make the most awesome album.

And they did it! 09/04/2012 a major debut disc "Night Visions" was released, which immediately took all the places of honor in the charts of more than 20 countries of the world. Within two weeks, sold 83 thousand copies. This is the most triumphant debut since 2006. The album went gold in seven states, and platinum in fourteen, including four of them double platinum: in the United States, Mexico, Sweden, Austria. In Canada, the release has already become so three times! It received the Billboard Music Award for Best Rock Album and was also nominated for International Album of the Year for the Juno Award. Billboard named the performers "Brightest New Stars of 2012", and also presented them with the status of "Breakthrough Group 2013".

In order for the next full-scale album to be equally successful, the musicians followed the tried and tested path of mini-releases, experimenting with them, testing the public's reaction. At the beginning of 2013 EP "The Archive" was released. Soundtracks were recorded: "Battle Cry" (for the new film "Transformers"), "Warriors" ("Divegent, Ch. 2: Insurgent"), "Monster" (for the game "). In addition, individual singles were presented. In most cases, the work of this period was well received by the people. The artists began to write the second major disc.

In the same year, Imagine Dragons went on a tour of Europe and America called Night Visions, presenting their self-titled album. Their fame was so great that the organizers had to add 13 more to the planned concerts. Tickets were sold out all, and the price remained democratic. Even so, the fees were huge. As a result, the musicians got into the top 20 concert tours according to Pollstar. As a result of these trips, a live recording was released.

The artists have repeatedly admitted that they write music on the way. The road gives a lot of vivid impressions and inspires them to be creative. Relatively soon after the end of the tour, a fresh disc “Smoke + Mirrors” appeared (17.02.2015). In conversations with reporters, Reynolds noted their general inclination towards perfectionism, work on the second studio album was carried out thoroughly. The guys care about their creative reputation.

The result of this work was a tour around the world, lasting more than 9 months. In this case, that resounding success did not follow. Critics found it "mediocre", the disc sold in slightly smaller editions.

After the work had been done, the band announced their retirement for about a year, leaving fans with an entire film about their live life "Imagine Dragons In Concert: Smoke + Mirrors". However, the promise given to all could not be fulfilled. Within a few months, two soundtracks were released. The song "Sucker For Pain" got a big response, as opposed to the acclaimed film "Suicide Squad" for which it was recorded.

The singles for the third studio album became real hits: "Believer", "Thunder", "Whatever It Takes". The frontman himself assessed the work done as an exit to high-quality new stage development. However, critics are not asleep, some of them the record with the self-explanatory name "Evolve" seemed an attempt to delight the masses of fans, and not the realization of potential. Be that as it may, but many of the tracks really shot. The combination of genres is wonderful here. Thanks to him, each listener fell in love among the released songs with something of his own.

Interesting Facts

• According to the soloist, each musician separately records his part of the future track. Until it is mixed, none of them knows how the final version will sound.Ideas and demo versions of many tracks are recorded by artists during the tour.
• Performers often leave Easter eggs for a future album on their social networks, inviting fans to guess their meaning. Often a prize is sent to the first person who guesses right.
• Frontman Dan Reynolds said that at the moment of writing a song, an idea for a video clip is immediately born in his head.
• Ben McKee (bassist) has golden hands: he loves and knows how to sew. Oddly enough, he is a pro at making hats.Another feature of this man is the insensitivity of taste buds: he practically does not feel spices.
• Wayne Sermon (guitarist) often suffers from insomnia. However, he knows how to use it for good, composing music at night.
• Dan Reynolds, despite his kind, optimistic songs, is himself prone to panic attacks and depression. Creativity helps him cope and find the right path.He was born into a Mormon family. The mother and father held strict views on parenting, which influenced the boy. His training took place in Mormon organizations.Dan was the seventh of nine children.The frontman at the same time participates in the Egyptian music association with his wife Aja Volkman.
• Artists closely monitor the public's reaction to their activities. So, Reynolds studies all mentions of them on the social network Instagram after the performances.
• The name of the team consists of a real and quite logical phrase. Translated from English, it means "Imagine Dragons". However, this is an anagram, the meaning of which is not known to anyone except the guys themselves. Fans come up with many comic versions, but the truth remains hidden.
• The group has over 70 nominations for a variety of music awards. Of these, 23 were victories.
• Covers are what the band loves to perform. It was with them that the career of the guys began.
• As a child, Reynolds and his brothers and sisters shot all sorts of videos, some of which were included in the video for the song "Roots". Creativity was inherent in the future singer from an early age.

Best songs

It is very difficult to single out a small number of the best compositions from the whole set. The fact is that all the work of the group is very original and interesting. Diverse works are presented to your attention.

• One of the biggest hits of Imagine Dragons is undeniably “ Radioactive". It was from her for musical group the road to worldwide fame opened in 2012. The song received fifteen nominations in various charts, in four of them it won a landslide victory. According to Rolling Stone, it is "the biggest rock hit of the year." More than 10 million copies have been sold in America. This track is still loved by the fans. It sounds fresh, instills confidence in one's own strength, contains a powerful charge of energy.

"Radioactive" (listen)

• « Roots". A kind, sentimental track dedicated to their roots: family, home, the place where a person grew up. The musical component is not assessed unambiguously, but it is an art to be perceived by everyone in their own way, but the emphasis here is on the atmosphere. The impression is enhanced by a clip that combines video sequences from childhood and touring life, emphasizing the longing for the distant and loved by people.

"Roots" (listen)

• « Gold". A song with a truly enchanting chorus from the Smoke + Mirrors album. The message is that not always the desired material wealth is the guarantee of true happiness. Having a lot of riches, a person can lose everything human in himself.

"Gold" (listen)

• « Sucker for pain". This song was recorded for the Marvel film "Suicide Squad" with a group of hip-hop artists including Lil Wayne. On the day the song was published, a video for it was also published (06.24.2016). A catchy track with a particularly catchy melody Imagine Dragons. The song was warmly received by critics and fans.

"Sucker for Pain" (listen)

• « Believer". The strongest record from the Evolve disc, as popular as the first on this list. The text raises the eternal theme of the fight against all obstacles, the way forward despite the pain received in the break. Dan Reynolds' vocals unfold here in full force. This is the main hit of the last album.

"Believer" (listen)

Movies and games featuring Imagine Dragons music

Movie / Game	Composition
Riverdale (TV series 2017)	"Thunder", Believer "
"Passengers" (2016)	"Levitate"
Suicide Squad (2016)	"Sucker For Pain"
"Until I meet you" (2016)	"Not Today"
"Angry Birds in the Movies" (2016)	"On Top of the World"
"Kung Fu Panda 3" (2016)	"I" m So Sorry "
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)	"Who We Are"
Iron Man 3 (2013)	"Ready Aim Fire"
"Assassin's Creed III" (game, 2012)	"Radioactive"
League of Legends (game, 2014)	"Warriours"
"Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014)	"Battle Cry", "All For You"
Continuum (2015)	"Radioactive"

Imagine Dragons is an unusual rock band. You can't see sugary beauties in it, in which girls from all over the world would surely fall in love. However, these guys were able to win love and recognition thanks to their sincerity, charisma and dedication. The vocalist's voice at concerts is even more beautiful than on the recording. The artists do not stand still: each release marks a new stage in their creativity, brings original sound and visuals. We hope that their energy and potential will last for many more years.

Video: listen to Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons is an American band whose genre is difficult to define in one word. Thanks to its unique musical style, which reflects elements of rock and roll, indie rock, alternative trends and pop music, "Dragons" are so loved all over the world. There are currently 4 members in the band: frontman Dan Reynolds, bassist Ben Mackie, guitarist Wayne Sermon and drummer Dan Platzman.

History of creation

The founder of the group Dan Reynolds was born into a large, religious and very conservative family, in which the open expression of his emotions and feelings was not welcomed. An outlet for the creative boy was his passion for music, to which he devoted his whole life. At the age of six, he began to master the piano, and at thirteen, he secretly crept to the computer of his older brothers to write out sketches of his first songs.

In 2008, the young man met drummer Andrew Tolman, who also studied at Brigham Young University. The guys quickly agreed on the basis of the same musical preferences and decided to organize their own group. They were soon joined by guitarist and vocalist Andrew Beck, keyboardist and part-time violinist Aurora Florence and bassist Dave Lamke.

It was decided to name the collective Imagine Dragons, which is an anagram, the meaning of which is known only to the first members of the group. Of course, there are a lot of theories among fans, among which there are some absolutely insane variations: "Aged Men’s Radio" (radio for older men), "Desiring a Mango" (wishing mango), "A Gemini So Grand" (such huge twins). The original phrase is still kept secret, the musicians only claim that during this time so many interesting versions were born that the original one will surely seem boring to fans.

The main stages of creativity

In 2008, the guys started rehearsals with enthusiasm, and after a few months they won the university music competition. In the same year, Imagine Dragons recorded their first single "Speak to me", the release of which was the first step on the road to success.

Unexpectedly, Beck and Florence left the group and were replaced by Andrew Tolman, a longtime college friend of Reynolds, and his wife Brittany. Vocalist buddy Daniel "Wayne" Sermon joined them later, and the new line-up moved from Utah to Las Vegas, Dan's hometown. There, the musicians rented a studio and started recording their debut album, simultaneously playing in casinos and nightclubs.

Their first notable success was their performance at the Bite of Las Vegas, where they replaced the band Train, which had retired due to illness. The almost thirty thousand crowd of spectators who came to the concert warmly greeted the unknown group, and music critics erupted in a stream of flattering reviews about their performance.

Imagine Dragons have won several local awards including Vegas 7's Best Album of 2011 and Las Vegas Weekly's Best Local Indian Band. They began to be invited to television, and soon the musicians signed a contract with the label Interscope Records.

By that time, they had already released three successful mini-albums and the material for the fourth was ready. Before that, the musicians did not dare to start recording a full-length disc and probed the ground, but the success of the next EP "Continued Silence" finally convinced them of the correctness of the chosen direction.

The single Radioactive became the absolute leader in the world music charts, was nominated for fifteen awards (won four) and received diamond status in the United States in 2012 sales.

Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

All this time, the composition of the team was constantly changing. Ben McKee took the place of Lemke, and Dan Platzman and Teresa Flamio took the place of the Tolmans. The latter was delayed for only six months, and after her departure, Imagine Dragons turned into a quartet, in which only Dan Reynolds, the ideological inspirer and founder of the group, remained of the old members.

Frequent rotations did not affect the quality of the musical material, and in September 2012 the full-length album Night Visions was released, produced by Alex Da Kid. Even before his appearance, two singles from this disc were included in the prestigious Billboard list, and the video for the song “It’s Time” was nominated for an MTV award. In parallel, the musicians recorded soundtracks for the films "The Hunger Games", "Divergent" and "Transformers", as well as music for the video game FIFA 13.

Imagine Dragons - It "s Time

Unsurprisingly, the first eighty thousand copies of the group's highly anticipated album sold out within the first week, which was an incredible figure for debutants. Night Visions was voted the best rock album in the United States and reached the top positions in all the world charts. As a result of sales, the disc became gold in seven countries, platinum - in fourteen.

In support of the album, Imagine Dragons embarked on a grandiose world tour, which was a resounding success. Already at the very beginning of the tour, the musicians began to create material for a new collection, recording demo versions of new songs in between performances.

Interview with Imagine Dragons (Europe Plus)

The artists were inspired by the impressions received during their travels in different countries and continents, which could not but affect their creativity. By the end of the tour, they had about fifty of the most diverse songs ready, from which they had to choose the foundation for the next album.

In the fall of 2014, fans were able to appreciate the single “I Bet My Life” from the new compilation (Dane DeHaan starred in the video for the song), and at the end of the year the release of the next album “Smoke + Mirrors” was widely announced on social networks. In February 2015, the disc went on official sale, and in the summer the group went on another large-scale tour, during which they visited Russia.

Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life

Despite a successful tour and good sales of the album, "Smoke + Mirrors" could not repeat the success of the previous one and was attacked by music critics. Reynolds himself understood that the musicians needed to take a break, but at the end of 2016 he began to intrigue fans with messages about the group's new album.

According to the already rolled pattern, before the release of the disc, Imagine Dragons released several successful singles, for one of which (Believer) a video was shot with the participation of Dolph Lundgren.

Imagine Dragons - Believer

When fan interest reached its zenith, the experimental album Evolve was released. The collection stayed in the top ten of Billboard for six months and was twice nominated for a Grammy. At the same time, many critics called it the weakest album of the summer of 2017 and scolded it for the complete lack of harmony and the poverty of themes.

Collaborations with other artists

• "Radioactive in the dark" - Imagine Dragons ft. fall out Boy
• "Sucker for pain" - Imagine Dragons ft. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Logic, Ty Dolla Sign, X Ambassador

Discography

• Night Visions (2012)
• Smoke + Mirrors (2015)
• Evolve (2017)

Imagine Dragons now

In the fall of 2017, the team went on a tour of America, and in the summer of 2018 they planned to visit Moscow and Kiev. In March 2018, the performers recorded a video for the song "Next to Me".

Imagine Dragons - Next to Me

I magine Dragons is an American rock, indie, indie rock band.

2008 - ∞

After the last note was played in the marathon a few years ago, Dan Reynolds, the forntman of Imagine Dragons from Las Vegas, realized that everything was heading towards the formation of a group. “We did a gig at a place called O'Shees, which had the cheapest beer,” Reynolds recalls. “I literally stood on the drums, the stage was so small. We performed the final songs of the 6 hour set. I got to the end of the song and passed out in the middle of the song. I came to my senses and finished the song. We got a standing ovation from all the people at this tiny casino at 3am on a weekday in Las Vegas. Something in this moment connected us and made us realize that we are creating a connection with people from all over the country. "

Since then, this connection has only grown. Reynolds and his bandmates - guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman - independently released 3 EPs and toured extensively. The band then released the Continued Silence EP, which included the breakthrough single It "s Time. The song reached # 3 on Modern Rock radio and # 2 in AAA, received a nomination" Best Rock video "on MTV VMA 2012. Dragons are now gearing up to release their full debut album, Night Visions, produced by Alex Da Kid" s and KIDinaKORNER. "It took 3 years to record," Dan explains his excitement about the album's release. "We feel like we have finally created something that we are really proud of and that maybe inspire others and help them feel less lonely. That's what our music is about."

Emotional struggles are central to the spirit of Imagine Dragons. From the very beginning, it was their goal - to turn the pain they experienced into something salutary and uplifting. This transformation - of emotional pain into art - is what inspired their first hit. “I wrote‘ It’s Time ’during a very difficult period in my life,” Dan recalls. "It seemed like things were going wrong. I was trying to decide what I want to do with my life, trying to figure out how seriously to take music. I made decisions about who I was. I'm a pretty young guy and I'm still trying to find the answers to those questions. "

"Our group wouldn't exist without Las Vegas," says Reynolds. "It's a great place for artists to get started." Sin City is not known as a hotbed of creativity, but, oddly enough, it helps the musicians who live there. "It's not oversaturated," Dan explains. "How a new group, you play in a casino that is half full, but half of the people are acquaintances. We could rent a house for the band and support ourselves. "Living like a Las Vegas rocker can be relatively easy, but the competition is fierce because this city is like a boot camp for performers. Unlike New York or Los Angeles, where your main concern is it's to be the hottest rock band in the area, in Vegas you have to compete with actresses, roulette and Cher at Caesars Palace. slot machines"explains Reynolds." You need to show everything you can and find out what attracts people at least enough to lift their eyes from the card table and say - hey, let's see this!

Every member of the band, except Reynolds, studied at the prestigious Boston College of Music, Berkeley, and the technical prowess and precision taught at that college influenced the sound of Imagine Dragons. “I'm a musician who is. And when you put two types of people together, then magic happens,” says Reynolds.

Composition

Current line-up:

Dan Reynolds
Drums, vocals
2008-present

Born July 14, 1987 in Las vegas, 7th child in a family of 9. Mom is Christine M., father is Ronald Reynolds, both are natives of Nevada.
Created Imagine Dragons when he was still in college. He met Wayne Sermon, who introduced him to Daniel Platzaman and Ben McKee, their classmates at the prestigious Berkeley College of Music. They all went to Las Vegas and started doing small concerts in the casino.
Dan is also a writer who has written hundreds of songs. He spends 4-6 hours a day practicing.
During one festival in2010 , they shared the stage with Nico Vega. Then Dan met their singerEiju Volkman... He asked her to help finish some of the demos he was working on. They founded their own group called the Egyptians and recorded 4 songs for the EP.
Age and Dan are now married, andAugust 18, 2012 they had a daughter whom they namedArrow Eve.

Ben McKee
Bass guitar, backing vocals
2009 - present

Born April 7, 1986 in Forestville, California... He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Many fans know that Ben has the inhuman ability to eat incredibly spicy food. Everyone knows he has an adorable collection of chest hair. Few people know that he dropped out inberklee College of Musicwithout completing one semester to join the group.

Ben became part of Imagine Dragons in2008 when Dan and Wayne were looking for new members.

Ben is not only the bass player in the band, he also performs backing vocals.

Wayne Sermon
Guitar, backing vocals
2009 - present

Daniel Wayne was bornJune 15, 1986 in utah, American Fork... Studied at the Berkeley School of Music. He studied guitar, but also plays cello and piano.

Dan Reynolds met Wayne at2008 in Utah, after which they moved to Las Vegas. Wayne took two classmates with him - Ben McKee and Daniel Platzman.

Wayne is the lead guitarist for the band with2009 .

Married to ballerina Alexandra Sermon.

Dan Platzman
Drums, backing vocals, violin
2011 - present

Born September 28, 1986 in Atlanta... He is also a graduate of the Berkeley College of Music. Has played with the Berkeley Jazz Orchestra, Urban Outreach Jazz Orchestra and Berklee Rainbow Big Band. Received a Vic Firth Award for Outstanding Musicality and a Michael Rendish Award for Film Music.

Became part of Imagine Dragons in2011 , after the departure of Andrew Tolman, who played drums and performed backing vocals. Now Platzman also performs backing vocals and plays the violin, in addition to playing drums.

Former members

Discography

_______________________________________________________________________________

Imagine Dragons EP

Release: September 1, 2009
Recorded: Battle Born Studios
Label: imagine Dragons
Producers: imagine Dragons
5 tracks

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hell and Silence EP

Release: June 1, 2010
Recorded: Battle Born Studios
Label: imagine Dragons
Producers: Imagine Dragons 5 tracks ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Its Time EP
Release: 12 March 2011
Recorded: Studio X
Label: imagine Dragons
Producers: imagine Dragons
8 songs ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Continued Silence EP

Release: 14 February 2012
Recorded: Westlake Recording Studios
Label: Interscope / KIDinaKORNER Producers: Alex da kid
6 songs ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Night visions
Release: September 4, 2012
Recorded: 2009 - July 2012 at Studio at the Palms and Battle Born Studios
Label: Interscope, KIDinaKORNER
Producers: Alex Da Kid, Brandon Darner
11 songs ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hear Me EP
Release: November 25, 2012
Recorded:
Label: Interscope
Producers:
4 songs ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Archive EP
Release: 12 February 2013
Recorded: 2011-12, Westlake Recording Studios, West Hollywood, California
Label: Interscope
Producers: Imagine Dragons, Alex Da Kid, Brandon Darner
5 songs ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ iTunes Session EP
Release: May 29, 2013
Recorded: 2013
Label: KIDinaKORNER / Interscope
5 tracks