Owl City

Owl City is an American electronic music project created by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young. It was started in 2007 in his parents' basement in Owatonna, Minnesota, as a result of his insomnia while working at a Coca-Cola warehouse. Young began composing music and uploading it to MySpace, where he gained a significant following.

Musical Career

Owl City's first EP, Of June, was released in September 2007, followed by the debut studio album Maybe I'm Dreaming in March 2008. The viral popularity of his music led to a record deal with Universal Republic in 2008. His major-label debut, Ocean Eyes, was released in 2009 and achieved mainstream success. The album's lead single, "Fireflies," became a global hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and topping charts in several other countries. The album was certified 2x Platinum in the US.

Following the success of Ocean Eyes, Owl City released several more albums, including All Things Bright and Beautiful (2011), The Midsummer Station (2012), Mobile Orchestra (2015), Cinematic (2018), and Coco Moon (2023). He has also collaborated with other artists, most notably with Carly Rae Jepsen on the hit single "Good Time." Additionally, Owl City has contributed songs to the soundtracks of several animated films, such as Wreck-It Ralph and The Croods.

Musical Style and Influences

Owl City's music is primarily described as synth-pop and indietronica. Adam Young's sound is characterized by its whimsical and dreamy qualities, often featuring synthesizers and electronic beats. He has cited his influences as European electronic music, disco, and post-rock. Being a devout Christian, Young also incorporates his faith into some of his music.

Other Projects

In addition to Owl City, Adam Young has been involved in other musical projects. In 2010, he launched Sky Sailing, a project that featured a more acoustic and organic sound, with the album An Airplane Carried Me to Bed. He has also recorded music under the name Port Blue and was a member of the bands Swimming With Dolphins and Windsor Airlift. Young has also composed scores for various projects under his own name.