Young band ‘Out of the Den’ strikes a chord in Park City

Photo: Out of the Den Band

PARK CITY, Utah — A new youth band in Park City is making its mark on the local music scene. Out of the Den debuted at the Ecker Hill Summer Kickoff Party back in June, quickly establishing themselves as a group to watch.

The band emerged from Rocky Mountain Music Den, a Park City music school open to all ages. Under the guidance of Casey Morgan, Studio Director, and Bret Meisenbach, what began as a trio of a drummer, guitarist, and singer grew into a five-piece ensemble with the addition of a pianist and electric bass guitarist.

Naming the band proved challenging. After lengthy discussions, they initially settled on “Super Sketch” before ultimately choosing “Out of the Den,” a nod to their musical beginnings.

Pruitt Knight, a Park City High School sophomore, plays electric bass for the group. Her musical journey started with Kindermusik, which introduced her to piano. In 2018, Knight began taking lessons at Rocky Mountain Music Den, studying piano and guitar with Morgan. She switched to electric bass when joining Out of the Den in 2023.

Knight’s musical interests stem from her family. Her father, a Rolling Stones fan and guitarist, influenced her taste in music. Her mother encouraged early music education. Knight appreciates how music has impacted her life, saying, “I learned piano 5 years ago and I’m still able to remember those chord progressions and play those same songs.”

For Knight, music goes beyond entertainment. It helps with other subjects like math and science and offers a unique form of expression. “You’re able to be creative outside of using a pen and paper,” she explained. Knight also views music as “a nice lifelong skill, not something that is easy to forget.”

Out of the Den performs various genres, but Knight personally favors pop and reggae, listing Taylor Swift and Bob Marley among her top artists. The band’s repertoire includes songs by The Foo Fighters, Olivia Rodrigo, Weezer, No Doubt, and Noah Kahan.

Knight notes that adapting some songs to their band’s lineup can be challenging. “We are trying to shift to more instrument-based music, less electronic and more fitting to the different aspects of our band,” she said.

As Out of the Den continues to develop their sound, Knight aims to expand her role as a bassist. “I want to be able to play less of the chord progressions and more individual notes,” she stated, indicating her desire to contribute more distinctive bass lines to the band’s music.

Out of the Den represents a new generation of musicians in Park City’s music scene. As they continue to practice and perform, these young artists are not just playing music – they’re shaping their musical futures.