Utah-bred band to play 'hometown' show

The pop-rock band Imagine Dragons is now based in Los Angeles, but in 2008 the band won Brigham Young University's Battle of the Bands shortly after its formation, and later won Club Velour's Battle of the Bands in Provo, and then "Utah Valley University's Got Talent." Dan Reynolds, founder of the band, attended BYU. "Utah always feels like a hometown show," said bass player Ben McKee. "We've played there so much there's a connection." The band's recent EP "Contined Silence" is attracting major buzz — MTV named them its "PUSH "artist of the week in mid-April — and part of the attention is because the band asked hot hip-hop super-producer Alex Da Kid to helm the EP. "It was a meeting in the middle," said McKee, referencing Alex Da Kid's roots and Imagine Dragons' rock beginnings. The band had been experimenting with electronic beats, so it was a welcome surprise when they received a phone call out of the blue from Alex Da Kid, who has worked with Eminem, Rihanna, T.I. and Nicki Minaj, among others. They plan on using him later this year as they begin work on a major-label debut album.

When • Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m.

Where • Club Sound, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City

Tickets • $15 at SmithsTix