Hooted Up.

I was fourth year high school then. It was a boring weekend afternoon. I haven’t checked if I had any homeworks that time, nor projects nor any requirements. I was only watching television. Being a music fan myself, I would always tune in to Myx, the Music Channel in our country, or MTV Philippines. Well, I don’t know what else to watch – Disney Channel maybe or Star Movies. I don’t know. I don’t watch local shows.

Well then, I tuned in to MTV. Call it serendipity because the song which was played changed my life forever. I heard some childish instrument playing. Was it only me or was this song really catchy? I saw some toys starting to move. Then the artist was shown.

Owl City.

Hmmm. What a weird name for a band.

Fireflies.

Hmmm. What a weird name for a song.

I continued watching the music video of the song. It was like love at first sight. The moment the chorus was played, I already loved the song. Plus the music video added to the whole music experience of my life! I need to download the whole song, I thought. I need to know the band. I love this song. The song ended and I was wonderstruck. It left me in awe for a moment. I never thought that the song that I was listening was from the mind of one genius mind. I never knew that then.

Aroused by the emotions from that song, I rushed to my brother and told all about it. He told me to sing it, but I cannot remember the song already. It was as if it exited my right ear instantly. Without giving up, I searched from the internet the song and downloaded it. Soon, it was the soundtrack of my life.

I never knew that Owl City was just one man after I searched more about it. I was shocked and in awe when I discovered that all those instruments, those lyrics, the voice was just from one man in a basement in the place called Owatonna. I mean, wow! That guy must be genius! I thought. For a moment there, I forgot the great singers that I’ve been idolizing since. This is a prodigy! Then I saw his name, Adam Young. Okay, this guy is going to be my best friend.

My friends way back in high school also knew a lot about him for they knew him way before he became popular all over the world. Yeah I remember, I would always give a little giggle when they talked about Owl City and Pure Volume. I mean, what are these guys saying? I thought to myself. These friends of mine were fanatics of electronic music so it is sure that they knew of him more than me before. But now? I just don’t know.

One friend of mine introduced me to one of Owl City’s songs – Vanilla Twilight. At first I was like hating this song so much. I never really liked the tune, the lyrics, everything about it! Maybe because I was too obsessed with Fireflies that time still. But moments passed, it was too late for me to notice that I was already playing Vanilla Twilight in my keyboard and singing my hearts out to it. Then, I never thought that it would be my lullaby and would give me that happy feeling when I get depressed at night. Vanilla Twilight became my all-time favourite song. Imagine, two years and counting!

I downloaded all of his songs from the album Ocean Eyes and found out that all the other songs were equally genius! If MY heart was a House became a favourite, so as Umbrella Beach and Meteor Shower. Argh. All are my favorites! Hahaha.

I also downloaded songs from his older albums – Maybe I’m Dreaming and Of June. Well, people might get mad at me because I downloaded from a converter site, but do not get mad when a fan just can’t get enough! Hahaha. I can’t listen to Sky Diver from Youtube on repeat even when I go out of house. Haha. I know, it’s strange.

To my addiction to some of his songs, I even made stories out from them. To date, these are his songs that I’ve made stories of: Meteor Shower, If my Heart was a House, and Vanilla Twilight. I’m planning to make a story out of his song, “I Hope you think of me once the official lyrics come out.

Anyways, back to the story.

Last year, I tuned in to Channel V, the Asian Music Channel. It was destiny that brought me to that channel. A song was played which became my second all-time favourite song. The singer was not in the video at all! There were flying airplanes and blue colors and a lady. It was then when I thought that the voice was very familiar. It sounded like someone that I really knew so well. Without a blink, I searched the song Brielle on the internet and my guess was right, another Adam Young. But it was no Owl City this time. It’s Sky Sailing. I then, suddenly fell in love with this song. Well, then, the history repeated itself.

I looked at the internet for more Adam Young. I discovered one thing. He has many projects – legendary projects! Port Blue. Swimming with Dolphins. Insect Airport. GOD! Is he even a person to do that? I can’t count how many projects a 25-year old man has. Was he composing everyday of his life? Only he can tell – or his stalkers.

Another thing I discovered from him is his blog – one reason why I also blog. His blogs inspired me to write mine also. I know mine are not as deep as his but hey, it’s worth a try. Maybe after 7 years, I would be like him. Haha. Maybe I’m Dreaming.

One thing I would never forget about Owl City is when I joined that group of die-hard Owl City fans called HOOTOWLS. I know I’m not that active but I know, we’re all family there. 37 people from different countries with one idol. Haha. At first, I was like so disturbed by the number of notifications that would bombard me everytime I check my facebook. But as time went on, I felt the warmth of the posts that everyone would post. I seldom post there, but I always read and watch all the posts there. I have even met a fellow Filipino there. Haha. That group showed me that I’m not a freak. That group proved to me that I’m not the only Owl City fan around. There are many of us. In fact, they are more fans than me. They know all about Adam. I know. It’s surreal, and sneaky. Haha.

What I also discovered from that group is that there are many talents there. I’ve heard some sing. I saw some photography. And one thing, there are many beautiful ladies there.  Haha. So much for the group.

Now, this fourth album is out, it’s called, All Things Bright and Beautiful. True to its name, all songs in the album are all things bright and beautiful! My favourites there are Galaxies and Deer in the Headlights, and Angels! Hahaha. And all of them! Hahahaha.

What else?

Hmm. Another thing which I idolize about him is his strong faith. I read his tweets and many of them are religious. I’m not surprised. He even have two religious covers of two of my most favourite Christian songs of all times, “In Christ Alone,” and, “How Deep the Father’s Love for us.” He serves as an example when I am about to lose track of my faith. I know we’re not on the same religion but we share the same belief in God.

Haha. I think I’ve talked too much. Hahaha. Imagine one guy would give me this long of a post. It started with a glockenspiel sound. It’s now two years since my life was forever changed by one genius yet introvert man like I am. I may not know how far his influence have affected me, but one thing is for sure, I will always listen to his songs, and yeah, I believe there are beautiful things seen by the astronauts.

WAKE ME IF YOU’RE OUT THERE! :D