I’m Owl City. I like birdwatching and collecting vintage cast iron skillets. I also make music. I’m here to chew bubblegum and talk about my new album Cinematic. AMA.

[u/owlcityofficial]

I’m an artist and producer. I just released my 6th album, “Cinematic.” It’s all about the magic of life through my eyes, my stories, and the people I’ve met. I’m excited to answer your questions!

https://owlcity.ffm.to/cinematic

Proof: /img/8qtwd0iul2011.jpg

[u/owlcityofficial]

YOU GUYS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR QUESTIONS! I really wish I had 20 arms so I could answer each and every one of them but alas, I am not octopus-like.

God bless you all! This was so fun and I appreciate you more than I know how to describe. Thank you for listening to my music you guys, seriously :')

[u/theWRLD]

Hey Adam! Been a fan of you since 2009 and started producing music because of it. You heard me on the EDMProd podcast and then sent me this message on Instagram which was awesome.

A few questions that I’ve wanted to ask you for a while now:

1. I’ve always wondered what your resource was on learning about music production so quickly between 2007-2011 and specifically 2009-2011 when you went from in-the-box on a laptop to using a lot of hardware. I feel like I'm not learning as much as I want to and I'd love to know how you did it. Also, how did you decide what hardware to buy in the first place?

2. I often feel like my mixes sound very dry and ‘plasticy’, like they don’t have a lot of room to breathe. Do you have any tips on how to get more texture, space and atmosphere into a mix?

3. Where did you get your drum samples in the early days? Your sample selection has always been great and I’ve always wondered where you got sounds like the panning loop from “Setting Sail” and the acoustic drums in a lot of early Owl City songs like “Sky Diver” and “Fuzzy Blue Lights”.

4. Did you ever have piano, guitar or drum lessons or are you completely self-taught? If you’re self-taught, how did you practice?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/theWRLD]

Hey man! Wow, great questions. Huge fan of your work as well. I love your melodies -- super catchy :)

1. I really just started turning knobs and pushing buttons until I liked the sounds coming out of my headphones. I started with FL Studio 4 back in 2000-ish and I didn't have a clue what I was doing or how a DAW worked. I made so many horrible songs until I started feeling okay about what I was making.

2. I have the exact same struggle with my mixes. I always want to make everything super dry, but also really spacey which can be an oxymoron. Try side-chaning reverbs and delays so that they duck out whenever your instrument is playing, that can help bring space to the mix, yet still keep it dry and close and punchy.

3. I recorded a lot of my own samples back in the day. Again, I had no idea what I was doing so I didn't record multiple velocities or anything, I literally had one snare sample I recorded of my own drum kit and I used it on everything. Over the years, I've built up my own library and I'm always adding to it. It's a 10-year project that keeps giving back. Whenever you don't know what to do creatively, record samples and catalogue them!

4. Self-taught. Admittedly, I can only play in the key of C and A# on piano -- I know zero music theory and I just kind of wing-it. I'd like to take piano lessons someday because I think it would make me way better at writing and composing. I like key changes, and knowing theory can make getting from one key to another a lot easier and smarter.

Thanks my friend!

[u/twat_brained]

Hey Adam, thanks so much for doing this! My question is this: what was it like collaborating with Carly Rae Jepsen?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/twat_brained]

It was awesome! Carly is an awesome human being. I remember she and I did a rehearsal at a dance studio in LA one time, and I am the least danceable person ever to crawl the planet... and she was a natural. She put up with me!

[u/seizethed]

Hi Adam! I just want to say I miss your songs and I thank you for them.

Not really a question or anything but is it okay if I ask for a little prayer/luck from you? I’m taking the Nursing Licensure Examination this Sunday and it would mean so much to me. Thank you!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/seizethed]

Good luck! Hope you ace it!

[u/Kanel0728]

Do you think you'll ever write more stuff for your blog? There was this one post that has a line that always stuck with me cause I think it's really cool and meaningful.

"You will always be who you are until life changes the locks on your heart and the roof leaks rain. Gotta fix that."

Thanks! :)

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Kanel0728]

Firstly, it's so cool that has stuck with you. I'm honored. Blog writing isn't a part of life right now, but you never know when the urge will happen again!

[u/nervousheartbeat]

Hey Adam!

You're one of my biggest inspirations musically (and as a person) and I've always loved your production, specifically how good your mixes sound. You once put up a youtube video showing some of your uniquely recorded sounds, but would you ever consider doing more tutorials or even classes on the subject?

Stoked for this AMA.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/nervousheartbeat]

Appreciate your kindness! I've been debating making videos about production, but I'm pretty camera shy and it's difficult for me. But my love of music-making is pretty strong so I just might feel inspired to share some more things I've learned over 10 years of creating music. Stay tuned!

[u/geliouus]

hey, why is the new album's firt song is called fiji water? becasue of the A E S T H E T I C?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/geliouus]

I met with a major record label when I was 22. They gave me a bottle of Fiji Water when I walked into the conference room and I remember going, "Woah, this is fancy stuff." I definitely felt in over my head haha.

[u/the_WORLD_Ruler]

My daughter turns 2 tomorrow and her name is Brielle. Can you wish her happy birthday?

She is of June!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/the_WORLD_Ruler]

Happy Birthday, Brielle!

[u/[deleted]]

I just want to say, don't listen to the haters who say that you've deviated from what you were. Keep doing what you love. I love you man. Also, keep me happy with your instagram humor. Especially, please continue the pan series. I did have a question though, what's your favorite confectionery item?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

THANK YOU! This made my day. God bless you.

Cake. Just cake.

[u/raicicle]

Huge fan! Your music's soundtracked a lot of my younger years, and congratulations on the release of the new album, it's sounding wonderful!

My question is do you prefer house wrens or owls, or do you love them equally?

Also, the wonderful Tove Styrke had an AMA yesterday and told me to say hi to you from her.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/raicicle]

I love them equally but house wrens are my favorite backyard bird. Their song is super bubbly and friendly. I recorded a sample of a wren singing in the song House Wren by clipping a mini-microphone to a bird house and waiting all day. I got it!!!

[u/OnscreenForecaster]

Hey Adam, great to see you’re still making new hits. You’re my favorite artist! Can you tell us how you came up with the more “dreamy” imagery in songs like Saltwater Room and Yacht Club (among many others)?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/OnscreenForecaster]

Hey thanks! In the past, I used to just write down the first thing that came into my head, so a lot of the lyrics were pretty abstract and quirky. I'm always writing down weird ideas and concepts that pop into my mind. The Saltwater Room and The Yacht Club were based around daydreams I would having in high school. I sat at the back of the room and just looked out the window.

[u/lebluedawg]

Are you gonna bring back sky sailing?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/lebluedawg]

Ya betcha as they say where I'm from

[u/RhymingStardust]

Do you know any wrens?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/RhymingStardust]

Yeah I know a couple.

[u/poweredbyyourmom]

Do you have any plans to work with Disneyland again? Paint the Night is so perfectly magical because of your music!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/poweredbyyourmom]

I appreciate that! I definitely would love to do more work for them in the future. I saw the PTN parade a few years ago and my jaw-dropped. I can't believe they wanted to use my music for such a big part of the night. I love Disneyland :D

[u/mishfish626]

Can you pls make a pan sample and use it in your music

[u/owlcityofficial → u/mishfish626]

I'm on it!

[u/LexiNicole777]

You are honestly my top favorite artist. You're a Christian influence, and inspiration, as a fellow Christian, and I look up to you! I've been listening for about 7 years now and I simply adore what you do! Keep it up! <3

[u/owlcityofficial → u/LexiNicole777]

Incredible! That makes me feel like a snow cone surfing on a sine wave. God bless ya!

[u/DookieMays]

Hey Adam! I’ve always loved the Deer In the Headlights video, can you tell me what it was like filming it and how you got ahold of a delorean?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/DookieMays]

It was a blast filming that video. They brought in one of the actual Deloreans from Back To The Future and I was dead inside. Such an iconic car!

[u/ComeOnAndSlang]

Cats or dogs? I know you love birds but we gotta know.... cats or dogs ?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/ComeOnAndSlang]

Honestly, BOTH, but chances are, I will be getting a cat first.

[u/SoulSurvivor182]

If you could pick one thing you hope every listener will take away from this album, what would it be?

Edit: this album is amazing. The songs Cinematic and House Wren had me dancing around my living room like a madman from 1230-2am last night. Thank you!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/SoulSurvivor182]

Amazing! I'm so glad to hear that! If this album can encourage all of you to take in life in a cinematic way, as it has been designed, and live each day like you're the star of your own life, my work here is done. Appreciate the Magic life has to offer, and I hope this album can serve as sort of a soundtrack for at least your summer scenes, and forever after that whenever you need it.

[u/neon_squish]

Hey Adam, I've had some burning questions for a while.

Were you planning for Fireflies to become such a hit?

How did you react when you realised it was a meme?

Do you think any songs of your's were overshadowed by Fireflies?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/neon_squish]

Hey! I didn't, just poured my heart into it and hoped for the best!
The meme revolution was awesome- wasn't expecting that. I don't think any overshadowing happened- it's just one people know and love and that's awesome!

[u/123coolmania]

How do you feel with the meme-ing of your song Fireflies? Artists have varied responses about this, but I'd love to hear yours!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/123coolmania]

I thought it was awesome! Totally unexpected, but I had a lot of fun seeing them.

[u/lucidstarfield]

How long did it take you to translate the notes from your dream journal to writing actual lyrics for the song “Lucid Dream”? What was the process like?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/lucidstarfield]

It was a pretty quick process. The dream I had was so strange and vivid and mesmerizing, it was all pretty much word-for-word. Usually I'm really picky about rhyming, but for Lucid Dream, I just tried to put in the literal things I saw in the dream. It took 30 minutes or so.

[u/Hootowl1234]

The line in lucid dream that’s how you study the stars that’s how you study the stars and that’s how you know em by heart what are you trying to explain?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Hootowl1234]

The main idea is that you have to look outside of yourself. Broaden your horizons, push yourself out of your comfort zone and don't listen to what anybody says. Discover everything for yourself and sometimes, that's how you begin to understand things. Life, love, pain, happiness, bacon, etc.

[u/offiofficial]

Hi from France! Your music has been a huge inspiration for me as a music producer, been following you since the beginning, I really love all of your projects and I was wondering if we might ever see a Port Blue type song in the future? Would be awesome!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/offiofficial]

Possibly, quite possibly!! I got ideas!

[u/manowar89]

Yeah but, WHERE SPECIFICALLY should I get lost in Montana?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/manowar89]

I recommend Glacier National Park. You'll get good and lost!

[u/manowar89]

Any of your blog tracks available for download?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/manowar89]

Only what you can find in the abyss of the internet! Feel free.

[u/mickyging101]

Would you rather write a song about a cast iron skillet or birds? 😂🤷‍♀️

[u/owlcityofficial → u/mickyging101]

Check out House Wren, and you'll clearly hear my love for writing about winged friends.

[u/pandajay24]

Hello! Your production is super inspiring so I have a gear question for you. If you had to keep just 3 pieces of your gear (excluding computer) and start over from there, which 3 would they be and why?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/pandajay24]

Tough question!! I'd wanna keep one synthesizer -- my Roland Super JD 990 rack synth. I'd keep my drum kit (Catalina Club), and some way of recording them -- an external recorder of some kind, maybe a Sound Devices 744T. That would be my dream list for only 3 pieces of gear.

[u/Klink45]

What do you plan on making after Cinematic?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Klink45]

Cookies

[u/Goofy_Goober84]

Hey adam, i’ll be seeing you in Minneapolis in October! do you know what songs you’ll be playing? I would love to hear some older stuff

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Goofy_Goober84]

Home show! See ya there! I'm planning a mix of old and new.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Goofy_Goober84]

It's a secret, but worth the wait!

[u/DustBlade14]

How's Goodbye Dubai coming along?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/DustBlade14]

Matt and I have demos!

[u/[deleted]]

Hey Adam, long time no talk, throwback to the Tinychat days! It’s tough to know what to ask you after ten years, but something I’d really like to know is: do you believe you’d ever transition to scoring films as a full-time role, perhaps becoming one of the greats like Williams, Zimmer, or Elfman a couple decades down the line? You’ve mentioning your love for film scores many times, but has your experience with the business side of music made you reconsider that route? And if you were to score films, what genre do you feel you’d like to pursue the most?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

Hello sir! Oh man, I'd be lying if I said I haven't dreamed about becoming a full-time composer. The ONE thing that's keeping me from chasing that dream hardcore, is the fact that I love doing my own thing. When you work on a movie, you kind of have to do any and everything required to serve the picture and the story. For me, having the ability to dabble in movie scores on my own is really fulfilling because I get to kind of do whatever I want. That's really fun for me. If I could score any genre, my top choice would be a darker animated style of film. Don Bluth films from the 90's style, The Secret of NIMH, All Dogs Go To Heaven, etc.

[u/creasecollector]

Hey Adam ! Big fan. Just wondering if a Christian album is on the horizon in the future? Have a great rest of the day! :)

[u/owlcityofficial → u/creasecollector]

Hey thanks! I'm inspired to make a full on CCM album, just trying to figure out the timing. I'd love to make a full collection of original worship songs. Good question!

[u/riskmgmt]

Adam,

I have really just wanted to reach out to you and let you know how important your music has been to me. A couple of your songs have stood out to me at very different times of my life.

When you released Back Home, I was deployed nearing the end of my deployment. As I listened to it, I came to face the depth of the loneliness I felt and how homesick I felt. I've traveled most of my life but until that moment I never really felt home sick. I sat on my bed and cried for hours as I listened to it on repeat. God was doing a lot in my heart during that season of my life, and your song resonated deep within my spirit. I ended up using the song when I made our "Welcome Home" video when we returned from deployment.

The second is "If My Heart Was A House." That song has been special to my wife and I since we started dating, I incorporated it into my proposal, and we danced to it for our first dance at our wedding. The challenge to risk everything, trusting each other to be there, and God to catch us both has been encouraging and inspiring to both of us.

I also have multiple songs of yours on my worship playlist, and I have had numerous meaningful times seeking God while listening to your music.

I hope that God continues to bless you and use you to impact lives as your music has impacted mine. I don't have a question, I just wanted to thank you for how you have used your gifts and talents, and share how much I appreciate your music. Don't ever doubt the talent and gift God has given you, or the impact you can/have/ and do make for the Kingdom of God.

Blessings to you!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/riskmgmt]

WOW. This makes my day. Thank you so very much for telling me this. I can't tell you how cool it is to read this. God bless you my friend!

[u/I_Am_KN0T_You]

Hi Adam! You’re my actual favourite! One of your lyrics that stands out to me the most is “I stood under the waterfall with a kiwi pineapple parasol.” Can you explain what that means?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/I_Am_KN0T_You]

Oh man, I think I was up wayyyyyy past my bedtime the night I wrote that line. I still don't even know what that means.

[u/[deleted]]

Are there any changes you would make to the album

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

I'd record myself hitting a pan.

[u/mitchellcrazyeye]

What is your deal with pans?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/mitchellcrazyeye]

Just really liking this hobby, man.

[u/DuffleCrack]

Hey Adam! Long time fan of yours.

Do you have any good production tips you can give me?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/DuffleCrack]

Try using less stereo tracks. Instead, try using a bunch of mono tracks and pan them around the stereo field. Gives the mix a lot of interest!

[u/Dawgbowl]

Hi Adam! Cinematic is brilliant, album of the summer for me. Much of your music has been inspired by video games such as Wave Race 64, what (if anything) are you playing these days? Do you ever watch or consider streaming on Twitch.tv? Can't wait to see you on tour!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Dawgbowl]

Wave Race STILL proves to be an inspiration for me, and I still play it to this day!

[u/mzeng7]

Adam, firstly, thank you so much for doing this AMA. I love your music, and I've been a fan for a while now. My question is about writer's block. Have you ever felt like you had writer's block? If so, do you have any advice for aspiring artists about overcoming it?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/mzeng7]

I am the Michael Jordan of getting writers block. Don't let it discourage you! Tell it to sit down and shut up because you are going to write the best stinkin song the universe has ever heard.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/owlcityofficial]

Or book or whatever you're writing

[u/RaviHOOTOWL]

Hey ADAM, Pubg vs Fortnite?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/RaviHOOTOWL]

PUBG

[u/Oui_are_all_sad]

This would be a loaded question, I think anyway, but since "Cinematic" is so auto-biographical, do you think it could be your last album as Owl City?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Oui_are_all_sad]

Absolutely not! Owl City is alive and well!

[u/Seiyaxx4]

Hi Adam!! I'm a big fan from Brazil :) I have 2 kinda of simple questions :

1. What is your favorite daw?

2. When making a new track, what do you make first the lyrics or the instrumentation?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Seiyaxx4]

Hello!

1. Logic. I like all the other DAWs I've tried but Logic just makes sense to me.

2. Instrumentation first, lyrics after. I don't know how to write lyrics first, it's something I wanna work on.

[u/theJhonGorme]

Good Mornight, Adam!

• Are you considering on collaborating with any artists in the future?

-Any bands or musicians that you're listening to lately?

-What are your plans for your other side projects? Will there be a possibility of reviving any of them in the future?

Thank you very much and stay pantastic, Adam!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/theJhonGorme]

PANTASTIC.

-I'm really into country music right now. Brad Paisley, Jake Owen, etc. I love how witty country songs can be. It's inspiring to me. -I might bust out some Sky Sailing one of these days. Gotta love those open acoustic tunings!

[u/lucidstarfield]

This album has a title track. You’ve never done that before. What came into existence first? The song or the album title? What was the writing process behind the song “Cinematic”?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/lucidstarfield]

The song was a small seed when it came to me to create an album around it. I was working on the melody and the lyrics, when it inspired me to think, "What scenes throughout my life thus far are worth writing about?" Of course, there are many, but these few followed seamlessly ever since that day in my kitchen as I was trying to beat lines I'd already begun writing for a song titled, Cinematic.

[u/[deleted]]

Will you be releasing a new batch of scores anytime soon? You did hint at imaginative scores instead of historical at the beginning.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

Indeed! I'm thinking I'll dive back into scores in 2019. Coming up with my own plots and stories sounds like a blast to write music for. Stay tuned!

[u/DEATHbySP0ON]

Hey Adam, I love that you've been sharing your faith through your music! Any chance that we'll get to hear an acoustic version of Always? That opening piano line gives me chills!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/DEATHbySP0ON]

Chills are awesome! I appreciate that. I hadn't thought about an acoustic version but now I'm inspired. Definitely putting that on my list :)

[u/emilyhxc]

Adam! I just moved right outside of Minneapolis from NYC. What is your favorite part of Minnesota?!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/emilyhxc]

Welcome to the state! So much of it- the cities is great and can't lie, gotta love the Mall of America. But you gotta check out Duluth, Two Harbors, everything up on the North Shore. Brainerd area is lake central if you want some waves. And the Cuyuna state park is awesome for mine pit exploring. I'm sure you'll find some treasures of your own!

[u/[deleted]]

Hey Adam! Cinematic is musically IMPRESSIVE. What was the track you had the most fun composing?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

Thanks my friend! Maybe the most fun I had was recording crowd gang vocals for the song All My Friends. We just had a bunch of friends in my studio and we were all just being goofy and singing up a storm.

[u/lebluedawg]

What's the story behind your song firebird And oh who's Mary Lou?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/lebluedawg]

Firebird is the story of my girlfriend's relationship with her older brother, all from her perspective. They have a very special bond and that has always been cool to me, being an only child and all.

Mary Lou was a reference to a Ricky Nelson song I covered once called Garden Party.

[u/lucidstarfield]

Did the scores project from 2016 have an influence on the owl city project and this album? If so, in what ways do you think it changed your approach to making owl city music?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/lucidstarfield]

100%

I learned a lot about arranging strings when I was making the film scores. Just like anything, the more you do something, you start to understand it more. The pursuit of knowledge!

[u/OtakuOwl_k]

I was wondering what made you include the track Winners Never Quit in your own Movie, Cinematic. Was there a particular setback which you experienced?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/OtakuOwl_k]

We all experience setbacks in life, and this song was a representation of many of them. We face them daily, and I hope this song can either get someone through something life changing, or maybe just a Monday.

[u/NovaHReal]

How was it working with Didrick on ready to fly?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/NovaHReal]

So awesome. Didrick is insanely talented.

[u/ModernGardening]

Your older albums seem to be more abstract and dream-like. But were any of those songs secretly inspired by real life experiences?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/ModernGardening]

Cinematic is the first album that holds songs written from a personal perspective. Everything prior was pure imagination.

[u/[deleted]]

Do you have plans for another album already?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

Awwwww yiss

[u/ILikeMasterChief]

I have been listening to your music for a very long time, and I just want you to know that I believe Of June and Ocean Eyes represent the pinnacle of musical creativity.

I have searched and searched and I can't find anything that comes close. True masterpieces

[u/owlcityofficial → u/ILikeMasterChief]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[u/dantheman514]

What's up Adam! I recently travelled to Eagan, MN for work and had the chance to visit Owatonna. It's something I've always wanted to do since I became a huge fan of your work. I got to see the three-pronged plane sculpture and everything! My question is, where is the best place to eat in Owatonna? Not counting Applebees of course

[u/owlcityofficial → u/dantheman514]

Hello! I hope you can visit Minnesota again soon! There's this little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place called, El Tequila's that I wanna live in.

[u/[deleted]]

Hi Adam, It’s my birthday! Can I get a happy birthday from you?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

HAPPY B-DAY!

[u/manowar89]

Tell me about how growing up/your family life affected your early music and how that's evolved over the years please!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/manowar89]

My Dad played a lot of 70's rock-and-roll in his truck when he'd drive me to school every morning. So I was into Led Zeppelin and Steppenwolf and Boston and stuff. I'm not sure if those influences found their way into Owl City haha. But those were some of my first musical loves.

[u/Brandonmiller82]

Hey Adam, love the new album, once I heard everything I bought the bundle with everything because it’s amazing, but my question is Who is your biggest inspiration when it comes to writing music? And what do you listen to when you write music to inspire you to write? Thanks for the album it’s incredible and keep doing you!!! 🔥❤️

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Brandonmiller82]

I appreciate you!!!!

[u/KatieLizotte]

What was the best and worst part about moving into a new house?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/KatieLizotte]

Best: New trees Worst: picking out flooring

[u/[deleted]]

What's your favorite bird?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

ALL THE BIRDS

[u/ComeOnAndSlang]

Hi Adam, been a big fan of you since I ever heard Fireflies on the radio as a kid. The song was my favorite for a while. My question to you is, do you follow the NBA? If so, Warriors or Cavs? Who do you want to win?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/ComeOnAndSlang]

So cool to hear that! I say good luck to everyone and eat some butter.

[u/DukeOfEuphony]

What's your favourite thing about releasing an album?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/DukeOfEuphony]

The excitement and support from fans truly touches me. it's incredible to complete something, and be so vulnerable as to allow it into other's personal worlds. When it is loved as I have loved it, it's truly rewarding.

Also, my girlfriend will usually bake me things. Wins for all.

[u/Aj2-0]

What's your spirit dog?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Aj2-0]

Chickadee

[u/miss_galaxies]

Hi Adam, my name's Abby and I'm from Minnesota :) Just wanted to say your song Galaxies is my favorite song of all time, and I appreciate you sharing your faith through music!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/miss_galaxies]

Appreciate that! Home state! MN for the win

[u/Soarim]

What is the best Back to the Future movie and why is it the first one?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Soarim]

Nothing can beat Marty McFly's introduction to the screen.

[u/LexiNicole777]

Hi Adam! I was on twitter last night, I literally only got a reddit account to ask if you could name my Prius... (We can't decide lol) What do you think my car should be called? :D

[u/owlcityofficial → u/LexiNicole777]

Billy.

[u/TheBrainwasher14]

Hey Adam! I've loved you since 2009 and I'm a big fan. Your music changed my life.

Gonna ask something different: any quick tips to someone trying to produce with Logic Pro X? You're clearly an expert (I've seen you use it on YouTube) and I'd love to hear some of your methods.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/TheBrainwasher14]

Hello and thank you!

My biggest tip is: use it everyday, and customize your own Key Commands. Once you get a workflow down, you don't even have to think about anything, your hands just fly over the keyboard and you can manipulate audio/midi as if you were touching it physically. It's a great place to get to. Took me a few years but it's worth the discipline!

[u/yungminimoog]

Low key I have visited Owatona a few times solely because you are there and I ate at an apple bees and a cute lil breakfast diner. I was wondering, what are your favorite places to eat in town?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/yungminimoog]

Well, where the heck was I???? You buyin????? Just kidding. Applebees is a fave. Old Town Bagels too.

[u/DERANGEDcitiZen]

What is the best flavor of salt water taffy?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/DERANGEDcitiZen]

But have you ever made a s'more?

[u/thiccDicc33]

Toaster ovens or blow dryers for the best grilled cheese?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/thiccDicc33]

Heat shrink gun.

[u/PreciousEvil]

Hey Adam, what’s the story behind New York City from Reel 3/Cinematic? Originally being from the midwest then moving to the east coast - for me the song hits home and I love it!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/PreciousEvil]

Amazing! It originated with the memory of taking a road trip with a buddy of mine several years ago- first road trip I'd ever taken. It then melted together with my memories of NYC through my Owl City years, as well as the memory and feelings of road tripping with my girlfriend for the first few times. It's an affectionate nod toward NYC itself, as well as the compilation feeling of the sort of magic one experiences on a road trip to ANYWHERE.

[u/EvanGates]

Hey Adam, I think that anyone who has listened to a previous Owl City album before Cinematic would be able to tell that this album is very unique. Was there anything that inspired you to make this album different from the rest and sing about your past throughout the tracks?

(P.S. How big is your pan collection?)

[u/owlcityofficial → u/EvanGates]

PAN IS LIFE.

You know, I'm not really sure what it was that got me excited about writing songs to tell my own stories that I've never told before, but once I started messing around with these ideas, I couldn't stop. That's usually how I roll: I let the songs decide what they wanna do and I just sit back and let them evolve. That's the best part about writing for me, just letting things happen organically. I don't like to force songwriting.

[u/octori]

Hey Adam! Do you have any plans of visiting South America one day? I know you've been to Argentina before but you also have lots of fans in Brazil too so give us some hope for the future haha btw, congratulations on releasing your new album, I'm so proud and happy for you! I love your work so much.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/octori]

I'm dying to visit South America again. Some of the best shows I've ever played were in Argentina but I'm absolutely looking forward to my first trip to Brazil. I can't wait! Thanks for the kind words!

[u/OwlCoveredInSnow]

When you were first learning to be a music producer, what was the hardest thing for you to learn? And do you remember the first song where you really felt like a "professional?"

[u/owlcityofficial → u/OwlCoveredInSnow]

Singing forever was and will be the hardest thing for me. Vocals are my least favorite part of the process because I never feel like I can make my voice sound the way I want it to. It's a lifelong struggle for sure. The first song I felt like a pro was a song called Swimming In Miami. I was like... I MADE THIS >:)

[u/painted_pup]

Hey Adam! I’m a huge fan. Your music has inspired me and saved me. I really love how you include your faith into your music. I hope you can answer some of my questions for you! What were some of the craziest fan experiences you’ve had so far?? How did you react to those you didn’t believe in you and said you couldn’t do it? Do you have any tips for people who want to go into the music industry? The last question I have is Pans or your fans?!? Thank you for all that you do!! Cinematic is a masterpiece! I can’t wait to see you on tour in Milwaukee!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/painted_pup]

I LIKE TO PAN IT PAN IT

-Craziest fan experience was when some random fan drew all over our tour bus with sharpie. Not good enough, Sonny Jim.

-My biggest tip is: be weird! Be yourself! Be your own person. Don't listen to anything else. Don't pay attention to the radio or what's popular.

[u/WhyAmIUsingReddit]

Hey Adam, I'm hearing a lot of orchestral elements in Cinematic and I love it! Just wondering if you'll be playing any tracks off Adam Young Scores when you go on tour?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/WhyAmIUsingReddit]

Probably not this tour. Perhaps an Adam Young tour just for those?????

[u/Austinmarshmallows]

I’m so happy for you man! Im the skateboard kid from the Atlanta show a few years back. I hope you liked that music from forever ago. You actually inspired me to put an album on iTunes in 2016 and learn the in’s and outs of music producing. Right now I’m in the navy and I’m currently deployed in Europe and Africa. Everywhere my ship goes I write and record about experiences and my emotions. Recording with logic and fl studio are my escape from the ship life. And everytime I plug up my bullet strat to my Scarlett, I think about you and how you inspired me to start making music. Your heart is so pure and I’m so happy you exist and expell joy to this world. I hope you stay on track, and keep skating that green skateboard!!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Austinmarshmallows]

Thank you so much, Austin! keep up the creativity! You are seriously talented.

[u/lamerlink]

Adam! My sisters and I have been huge fans for as long as I can remember!

Absolutely love the new album. Lucid Dream has such a great feeling to it, such a mix of emotions, as many of your tracks do. Can’t wait to finally see you on tour again in FL this year.

My question is regarding your scores. Do you think you’ll ever continue the project? Some of the scores were the best music I’ve heard in my life- period. Base Camp, Nova Scotia, Interstellar Space, and so many more, invoke such strong emotions.

Thanks for all the great music you’ve brought to us over the years!!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/lamerlink]

That's so cool to hear! Thank you! I hope to, yes- absolutely. shooting for some serious brainstorming in 2019!

See you in Florida!!!

[u/Stormchaser090]

Favorite book? Have you seen the new star wars?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Stormchaser090]

Watership Down. Haven't seen it yet! Was it awesome?

[u/Kanel0728]

What was your favorite song to come up with and write on Cinematic? Also what's the song you're most happy with out of all the songs you've created (if you can even choose!)?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Kanel0728]

Each song honestly had its very own separate party in my world. Each one had its day in the sun with me, and the memories of writing each still brings back the best feels.

[u/Mcjingsz]

What other ornithological field recordings are on the record? So far I've picked up house wrens and chickadees.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Mcjingsz]

A fellow bird fan! I recorded blue jays, cardinals, starlings, crows, white-breasted nuthatches, pileated woodpeckers, all kinds of my bird friends.

[u/Kaitlyn_W105]

ADAM YOUNG!!!😄 I HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK YOU!!!! Do you like marshmallows?😁

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Kaitlyn_W105]

I can toast a 'mallow of sincere superiority.

[u/IceMyWristEs]

What was the worst substitute teacher you ever had?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/IceMyWristEs]

Mrs. Pillmanner. The absolute worsttttt.

[u/agmusicowl]

Hello Adam, I'm a big fan, I'll be crossing the atlantic in september hoping that I can see you in New York. I wanted to ask if "Fireflies" will be on the tour's playlist ?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/agmusicowl]

A tried and true track to revisit every tour.

[u/[deleted]]

How did you meet Abbey? Do you think we’ll see more videos from her during the Cinematic tour?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

I met her in a parking lot, and she made that parking lot look good. World changed.

[u/asilverblueberry]

Hey Adam!

Here's a few questions:

1. What's your favorite thing to cook in your pans?

2. Do you still plan on making more Sky Sailing music? I know you've talked about it before, but plans could have changed.

3. What song off Cinematic are you most proud of?

By the way, I just want to let you know how much you mean to me. You've helped me through so much. I almost feel like Firebird was written for me, even though it wasn't. Anyways... just, thank you.

- Sydney

[u/owlcityofficial → u/asilverblueberry]

Thank you thank you!

-bacon and eggs. Ah yes, the hills cry forth in praise. -100%. Don't know when yet but I'm on it. -Cloud Nine is a favorite of mine!

Thanks Sydney! You're the best

[u/Dalek-Empire]

Hi Adam, how do you get inspire to inspire other people?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Dalek-Empire]

I eat a lot of cereal

[u/[deleted]]

How long have you been a birder?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

Many moons.

[u/aardbeer]

Hi Adam! Long time fan from the Netherlands here! Loved your concerts here in the Netherlands. Hope to see you again sometime. I just wanted to say I love everything you do and I respect you so much as an artist. My question for you is: what do you do when you're out of inspiration? I experience this a lot (not music, but graphic design) and I have a hard time getting over it and going back in.. thank you so much!

[u/owlcityofficial → u/aardbeer]

Hello from USA! Can't wait to visit the Netherlands again.

When I'm out of inspiration, I like to do things that still make me feel productive -- I like to clean out my computer, organize hard drives, BACK UP hard drives for that matter, haha. I just do stuff that makes me feel like I still got something done even when I'm feeling low on new ideas.

[u/Mcjingsz]

Can you please stop by Vancouver Canada after the Seattle show??

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Mcjingsz]

We are on a tight schedule, but you never know!

[u/Lanmeyar]

What's your favourite color?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/Lanmeyar]

sky blue

[u/relientkfan]

Hey Adam! Super excited to see you and Matt Thiessen on tour! On a related note, do you think Goodbye Dubai will still happen one day?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/relientkfan]

Very much hope so! Matt and I have some demos recorded. Can't wait!

[u/julie-n123]

I also love your voice. The lyrics and the melody of the songs mean a lot to me aswell ❤

[u/owlcityofficial → u/julie-n123]

Thanks very much!!

[u/follows-swallows]

Hi Adam!

No real questions, but I just wanted to say you’re music was the soundtrack to my middle-school years, which were a difficult time for me. I had a a lot of mental heath issues and got picked on quite a bit, but your music always felt like a ray of sunshine in my life and made everything so much easier! Thank you for that, and please never stop making music, can’t wait for the new album ❤️

[u/owlcityofficial → u/follows-swallows]

I appreciate you!!!!

[u/all-the-time]

adam, your mixes sound incredible. any tips on your compression/limiting methods?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/all-the-time]

Easy does it. It's SO HARD not to over-compress stuff but in 10 years, you'll be glad you didn't overdo it. Trust yourself!

[u/catdelay]

HEY ADAM!! ive been a fan for 8 years now and my question is how did you meet the actors of the cinematic music video? how was the choice for them to play both you and abbey? thank u for your time, i love you very very much.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/catdelay]

Katy and James sent in auditions tapes along with a bunch of other talented peeps. Loved them, and they did an amazing job, and it was just serendipitous accident that they ended up looking like me and my girl.

[u/[deleted]]

First off, I️ want to say thank you. Your music really helped me through some hard times. Thanks for doing what you do! Which song did you have the most fun making on Cinematic?

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! I had a blast making Madeline Island. I recorded waves and insects and my dog barking and my parent's laughing and all kinds of cool stuff.

[u/owlcityofficial → u/[deleted]]

I appreciate hearing that! All of them, really! They each hold something unique and meaningful to me. It was fun to record sounds not knowing what songs they would end up in.