GRAMMY U And Owl City In Oklahoma

A GRAMMY U student from UCO, Brittany Maclean, writes about her experience at an Up Close & Personal event with GRAMMY U and Owl City:

On November 5, 2011, I was lucky enough to be part of a small group of students from GRAMMY U and ACM@UCO that were given the opportunity to attend an Up Close & Personal session with Owl City at the Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City, OK.  

We arrived early and waited outside and listened to the beginning of the band’s sound check anxiously waiting until we were allowed inside. We were then greeted by Owl City’s tour manager, Laura Pease. She led us inside where we were allowed to watch the end of the band’s sound check. Adam Young, the front man of the band, welcomed us on the mic and broke the ice with a little joke. They then played their quadruple-platinum hit “Fireflies” followed by the second single from the new album All Things Bright and Beautiful, “Deer in the Headlights.”  Both at full show volume and with full production and lights!

 Following the soundcheck, we were joined by the band for a group picture and a Q&A session with Adam Young.  One of the questions for Adam was in regards to his writing and inspiration for writing. Adam talked about what it was like being able to go around the world and see all the things he wrote about first hand and what made him want to be a musician. 

After their questions, Adam returned to the stage to finish their sound check while we were taken back outside for a Q&A with Laura concerning her career and touring life. Laura told us how she had been a Biology major in college but decided to move to New York with no money to pursue the music business. She ended up with an internship at Owl City’s management company which led to the internship a few tour management jobs which finally led her to tour managing Owl City. 

Quotes from Laura:

 “It’s tiring but it’s worth it. The music world is so small. It’s all about connections.” 

“As a woman we’re more in tune with organization. Organization is the main thing. I never realized how much work goes into each show.” (When asked about any challenges or advantages to being a female tour manager).  

Later that night during the Owl City show, Adam said, “I’m not a ‘musician’ musician. I’m an employee at the Coca Cola factory in a small town. I used to load trucks. If someone would have come up to me and told me that one day I’d be able to play shows and make records, I would’ve never believed you.”

For more info about GRAMMY U and how to join, please visit www.GRAMMY365.com/grammy-u.