Documentarian seeks to explain Provo music boom

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 Provo is helping to launch many popular musical artists like The New Electric Sound, seen here performing at Velour Live Music Gallery.
Provo is helping to launch many popular musical artists like The New Electric Sound, seen here performing at Velour Live Music Gallery.

Derrick Lytle doesn’t play any instruments. He doesn’t sing. He describes himself as not very musical. But something about Provo has him really interested in music.

Lytle, who became interested in the Provo music scene after attending concerts with friends and college roommates, is planning on filming a documentary about the success of musicians in Provo.

“I’m interested in finding out why Provo has a great music scene because everyone is so talented,” Lytle said. “I just want to see how and why great bands are coming from an obscure town.”

Lytle, a BYU graduate, plans to make the documentary, “The Provo Scene,” about why Provo is launching so many great artists — such as Neon Trees and Imagine Dragons — into the national spotlight.

Lytle, who has experience making documentaries, is planning to fund the film with donations to the project through a campaign on Kickstarter.com. If the Kickstarter campaign reaches its funding goal, then Lytle will make the film. Lytle is enticing people to donate by offering donation rewards such as a copy of the film, advertisements before the film, video/photo shoots and photography lessons.

Helping to discover the secrets behind the success of musicians in Provo is the best reward for funding the project, according to Lytle. Many talented people in Provo help the music scene but go unrecognized, and Lytle wants to tell their stories.

“I want to show a well-rounded view of music in Provo,” Lytle said. “Not just Velour and Muse. I want to show the whole story and what makes it what it is. … Anyone who has lived in Provo or is familiar with LDS culture will find the film fascinating.”

Ryan King, a commercial music senior from Sterling, Va., said he believes the local scene didn’t happen on accident. King said the success of the music scene is similar to the success of many business startups in the area.

“There are a lot of people with a lot of creativity, talent and ambition that know how to work hard, as well as being willing to collaborate,” King said. “A lot of people have contributed tons of work and time for the music scene to grow.”

More information about Lytle’s documentary on the Provo music scene can be found at Kickstarter.com.

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