Imagine Dragons’ leader Dan Reynolds on Oprah and brushing off the haters

NEW YORK — Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds is brushing the haters off his shoulders.

In this Nov. 4, 2018 file photo, Dan Reynolds, of Imagine Dragons, winner of the award for Hollywood documentary for “Believer,” poses in the press room at the Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. Image: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File

The Grammy-winning rock singer posted a lengthy note on Instagram two weeks ago, calling out bands like Slipknot, the 1975 and Foster the People for taking shots at Imagine Dragons, a band that has dominated the rock and pop charts since they emerged on the mainstream music scene in 2012.

“I just feel like as artists we have so much. We’re incredibly lucky to be doing what we’re doing. We have a finite amount of time while we’re here to create change and to do great things, to do big things. It’s just, to me, counterproductive to all of us as artists to engage in menial, self-indulgent conversation, even for myself, even responding to it, which is not something I’ve ever done before,” Reynolds said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“I said my piece — that’s what I had to say about it. I really don’t have anything else to say on it because I feel like it’s a disservice to myself and a disservice to my time here on earth.”

In his post Reynolds wrote, “How it could possibly make a kid feel ‘not cool’ listening to Imagine Dragons. I hate that thought. Wondering if my kids will be made fun of as they grow older because someone thinks my band isn’t cool.” He also wrote the negative vibes his band has been hit with has “added to the depression I’ve dealt with since youth.”

What’s provided solace for Reynolds? In a way, Oprah Winfrey.

“I just sat at this seminar here in Utah listening to Oprah speak about how she got where she is, and it’s all about intention. Her main point was intention about how (and) where do you spend your time and how do you spend your words? And here’s our finite amount of time on earth and what are you doing with it?” he explained. “So, it’s just so menial even posting that. I’m bummed that I even had to post something like that, but I said my piece and that’s it. So, I’m on to things that are important.”

He said one of those important things he’s focusing on his LOVELOUD festival, the LGBTQ-supported event he launched in 2017. The third annual festival — to take place June 29 at the USANA Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah — will include performances by Reynolds, Kesha, Martin Garrix, Tegan & Sara and more.

As for music, Reynolds said Imagine Dragons, whose hits include “Thunder” and “Radioactive,” are taking time to recharge. Their most recent album, “Origins,” was released last November.

“We’re all looking now to wrap up the cycle and take some serious time off. I don’t know how long that will be, but probably the longest amount of time that we’ve (taken off),” he said with a laugh. “Everybody’s ready for a break.” NVG

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