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February 18, 2015
Dan Reynolds on Twitter
I've had a lot on my mind this week.month.year
I've written it into this new record.its honest and real for me.i stand behind every single song.every single word.i believe in this project more than i can express to you.some will love this record.some will hate it.thats ok.i wrote this record as a human that feels the need to express myself.i wrote it for our fans.i wrote it for my family.the words tell the story of my life.my thoughts.my fears.my anxieties.my joys.my loves.my flaws.i wrote it in hopes that someone puts on their headphones late at night and feels something while they listen to it.i wrote it because music shaped my life.it filled me with life when I felt alone. It speaks to me in a way that no conversation has ever spoken.
i was never a "genre" in high school.i could never fit into one.i hung out with all sorts of people.anyone that would have me. Dan. A teenager who had a great curiosity for life.but i did not believe in myself.i believed that regardless of the worlds perception, i would always be the author of my life.i wanted to write my story regardless of the consequences or words from outside sources.
and thus, it is with imagine dragons.we are no genre.we are a band that has a message that we believe in.we create music that fills us with joy and helps us feel a little less lost in this world.
it is honest.it is extremely real for us.we aren't looking to be the cool kid.we really aren't looking to be anything other than ourselves.i tried to be authentic and raw on this album.i tried to truly give you a piece of myself on this record.i speak to those that struggle with depression.i speak to those that feel alone.i speak to those that are tired of the hate that exists in this world.i speak to the honest person that wants to sit down and have a meaningful conversation with no regard to sex/race/religion/class etc.
I have a desire to be honest. I have a desire to create music that fulfills my need to express myself.i have a desire to learn.to grow.to experience life at its highest heights and lowest lows.to have good conversation late at night.to laugh.to cry.to create.to inspire.to be inspired.
i will never operate out of fear.i will never conform.i will never attempt to be something i am not.i hope that you sit down on a quiet night and listen to this record with a smile on your face.maybe tears at times.i hope you feel our heart in it.i hope that it connects to yours.i hope you feel a little less alone in the world.i hope you feel more courageous.i hope you feel ok about letting go a little.
my resolution this year is to be a little happier.a little more grateful.i acknowledge my depression but it does not control me.i will fight it with you.your stories continue to fill my heart with meaning.you are the reason i get on the stage every night.you are the reason we create music.
smoke and mirrors is about conflict.conflict creates growth.it makes you question.it urges you to find answers.it breaks you down only to build you up even stronger.what is real?what is meaningless?i hope you find answers to these questions but maybe i never will.
one thing i do know, is that I'm inexpressibly grateful to you for being a part of my life.thank you for your continual support and kind words.it means more than I could ever say.
see you on the road
February 7, 2016
Dear friends and family,
Last night we officially concluded The Smoke + Mirrors World Tour. We have no words to even begin to describe our gratitude and love for you. The last years have been the most wonderful, challenging, motivating, inspirational and emotional years of our lives. We have grown closer as a band through all the highs and lows. From empty clubs in Las Vegas to arenas around the world, we have loved every single minute of it. This last tour was so awe inspiring. To walk on stage every night and see an arena full of your faces- to feel your energy-was and is the greatest gift we have ever been given. This album meant a great deal to us and you are the ones that truly brought the words, rhythms and melodies to life. Thank you for singing with us each night. Thank you for supporting us and standing up for us.
Thank you for believing in this message. In these songs. In us.
We love you all and will see you again soon.
Forever yours,
Imagine Dragons
I am not sure which Tweet by Imagine Dragons is the most popular? This last message is eleven hours old and has upwards of 8,000 likes! I was so touched by reading the words that I couldn't compose a reply. I believe in the message in the music. I also believe that Dan accomplished his mission that he began a year ago. It is very humbling to hear him talk of wanting to be understood and to fit in. It is heartbreaking to hear about feeling like not fitting in and feeling alone and lost. It is comforting to read a more positive message at the end of the tour. After all, we want the same things. To be included and heard and understood. To be loved. To rock out! We are all not so different from rock stars.
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