Owl City
The Owatonna Kid
Owl City’s Adam Young adjusts to overnight success

By Andy Argyrakis

Very few one man bands ever make it out of the basement, but thanks to some heavy duty social networking (resulting in 16 million profile views and over 80 million plays), Owl City went from a homespun affair to an international phenomenon. Singer-songwriter/keyboard player/programmer Adam Young was literally living at his parents Owatonna, Minnesota house one night and on a tour bus the next, complete with a Universal Republic record deal and an impressive debut on the Billboard Top 200 for last year’s Ocean Eyes thanks to the disc’s chart-topping single “Fireflies.”

“It was crazy!” Young admits, not the least bit jaded by the rocket ride and still brimming with enthusiasm. “I never expected it to take off so suddenly, and I still find it hard to grasp. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and shake my head to get my bearings back. It’s quite surreal.”

Though a steady touring schedule will prevent him from heading home, he recalls his suburban refuge and fondly remembers every second of creating in the grassroots environment. “My basement is a cozy place in which one would like to lounge and leave half eaten donuts and bowls of ice cream strewn about,” he explains. “I went to Taco John’s every day, and sometimes more than once in a day, while I was recording Ocean Eyes.”

Apparently there was something potent in the food from that local Mexican chain because the energy on the album is palatable. At first glance, the record may appear to be electronic in direction, though a deeper scan indicates plenty of layered piano parts, heartfelt songwriting and loads of pure pop thrown in the mix for instant accessibility. Just don’t expect Young to classify the interwoven myriad of sounds, especially since they’ve now reached a worldwide audience wider than his wildest dreams.

“You know, I really haven’t the slightest interest in thinking about it,” he says. “I just prefer to daydream and write music that feeds the creative hunger therein, and thus, those kind ears who care to listen to whatever art appears have my permission to define it in any way they choose.”

One obvious influence is the ’80s, and if you’ve seen the music video for “Fireflies,” you’ll see it’s loaded with long lost pop culture references (like the Speak and Spell game). “Well, I grew up in the last half the ’80s, and though I possess the most vivid recollection of stone-washed jeans, mustaches, muscle shirts and mullets, I feel connected to it in a way. Things from the ’80s make me smile.”

For those doing the math, that means Young could be in college right around now, though he obviously opted to pursue music professionally in its place. While he’s certainly a proponent of schooling, the artist’s life was clearly the better path particular case, especially in light of the rapid success, which also includes a slot on the 90210 soundtrack and a spot on the “BBC Sound of 2010” critic’s picks list.

“I was put on what they refer to as ‘academic probation’ during my second semester of college.” he reveals. “I never did end up getting that general education degree. Boo.”

For his fans currently hitting the books, consider an Owl City concert a worthwhile break, especially since the charismatic leader won’t discuss what he has in store for the live show. “That, my dear American friends, is a sneaky secret for me to know and you to find out,” he says.

Instead, Young is more apt to talk about broader goals for Owl City.