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Adam Young (singer in Owl City)

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For the novel with a similar title, see Young Adam.
Adam Young

Adam Randal Young (born July 5, 1986) is an American musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer and the founder of the electronic project Owl City. He has also fronted numerous other musical projects, including Sky Sailing [1] and Port Blue. Young has Asperger syndrome and has stated that he is a committed Christian.[2]

Owl City

Main article: Owl City

Career beginnings

Adam Randal Young originally began creating music in his parents' basement while suffering from insomnia. Working alone, Young posted his fizzy electro-pop songs to MySpace and iTunes, selling about 2,000 tracks a week.[3] under the name Owl City. Young quickly developed a MySpace following and self-released an EP and a full-length album. His debut release Of June was released in 2007 and despite Owl City not being signed to a record label, still managed to reach #15 on the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart. His first album Maybe I'm Dreaming was released in 2008, and reached #13 on the US Electronic Albums chart, also without the support of a record label. In 2009, Young signed a deal with the record company Universal Republic and released his second full-length album Ocean Eyes and re-released his two previous works.

Of June

Main article: Of June

Of June is Owl City's first musical release. Adam Young self-released it on April 21, 2007 and then later again through Universal Republic. It has seven tracks, one of which has been re-released in Ocean Eyes.

Maybe I'm Dreaming

Main article: Maybe I'm Dreaming

Adam Young's first full-length album. Despite Owl City not being signed to a record label, Maybe I'm Dreaming reached #13 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart. This album earned Adam Young a substantial fanbase which resulted in him touring throughout the United States with band members Austin Tofte, the frontman of Swimming With Dolphins on keys and backing vocals, Matthew Decker on drums and occasionally Breanne Duren also on keys and backing vocals.

Ocean Eyes

Main article: Ocean Eyes

Under Universal Republic, Young released the album Ocean Eyes. His hit single "Fireflies" sold 650,000 copies in its first week and was the iTunes Single Of The Week. Ocean Eyes reached the top ten in the US album charts and topped the US rock and electronic charts. In February 2010, iTunes released their list of highest-selling songs since 2003 with "Fireflies" listed at #24.[4] After the success of Ocean Eyes, Young began touring internationally. The touring band now consists of Adam Young (lead vocals, guitar, keys, drums), Breanne Düren (backup vocals/keyboard), Matthew Decker (drums), Laura Musten (violin), and Hannah Schroeder (cello).

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Main article: All Things Bright and Beautiful (album)

Owl City is due to release his "sophomore" album, All Things Bright and Beautiful, on June 14, 2011.[5]

Sky Sailing

On June 29, 2010, Young announced that he would be releasing his early recordings under the name Sky Sailing. Sky Sailing's debut album, An Airplane Carried Me to Bed, was made available exclusively through iTunes on July 13, 2010.[6]

Port Blue

A guise used for melody driven instrumental, ambient productions. Through this moniker Adam Young has released two albums, The Airship (2007) and The Albatross Ep in 2008.

"'Port Blue' is music that can be heard playing in elevators, hotel lobbies, airports, museums and restaurants inside my head. It is the soundtrack to my dreams. If I wrote music for movies, this is what my film scores would sound like. Much of the aesthetic of Port Blue is not what lies in the recordings but rather what is extracted from them...Dreamscapes. No vocals.

In my opinion, there is a huge lack of imaginative, unconventional music being created by artists today and what little there is, goes widely unappreciated by the masses. 'Port Blue' is my attempt at re-creating the music I want to hear and the emotions I want to feel.

I hope you enjoy my art as much as I enjoyed creating it. If by chance you ever feel as though you’ve come to know these songs, please consider yourself a friend because in a manner of speaking, you know me. This music is my heart and soul. This is who I am." (Adam R. Young, 2006)

Collaborations

He has provided vocals for different producers and their projects, including:
Chicane - Middledistancerunner (2010)
Armin Van Buuren - Youtopia (2010)

He has also produced music for other artists including:
Relient K - Terminals (2009)
Shamar - I Don't Know Why (2010)

References

  1. ^ "Skysailing Music". Sky Harbor Entertainment. 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  2. ^ http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2010/09/qa_owl_city_adam_young_shaquille_oneal.php
  3. ^ Sisario, Ben (2009-11-20). "From Mom's Basement to the Top of the Chart". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-02-15. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Factbox: Most-downloaded iTunes songs". TVNZ. 2010-02-26. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  5. ^ James Montgomery (2011-05-09). "Owl City Moves Out Of The Basement On All Things Bright And Beautiful". MTV. Retrieved 2011-05-11.
  6. ^ "Sky Sailing offers free track download". Sky Harbor Entertainment. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2011-02-15.

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