Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Labrinth, Tinchy, Chipmunk and Wretch 32 Come Together To Help BBC Children in Need and release official single ‘Teardrop’ . The official BBC Children in Need single will get one of its most credible makeovers to date this year as the likes of Labrinth, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Wretch 32 and Tulisa from NDubz present their own re-interpretation of Massive Attack’s timeless single ‘Teardrop’, with the new lyrics adapted by Wretch 32, Gary Go and Mr Dialysis. The song was released through Island Records on November 13th with all proceeds going to the charity to support some of the most disadvantaged children right here in the UK. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey Grammy nominated superstar Drake , whose 2010 debut “Thank Me Later” established the Canadian as one of the breakthrough artists of the year, marks his return with the highly anticipated release on November 14th, of his brand new Young Money/Cash Money album “Take Care”. The debut album has landed; Rizzle Kicks present ‘Stereo Typi...

Adam Young has spent the best part of the last six months in peaceful hibernation, busy writing the second Owl City album, ‘All Things Bright And Beautiful’ which will be released on 17th May. The first single ‘Alligator Sky’, which features US rapper Shawn Chrystopher, rockets us back into the cosmic world of Owl City. “’Alligator’ and ‘sky’ are two words that don’t really go together, but conjure up an image, which fits the idea of the song,” Adam says. “It’s about how there are so many weird things coming at you every day. Why not just meet them head on and take charge even though you have no say over what’s going to happen? You and those around you are what matter most.” Owl City’s swift rise from the unknown into chart topping success saw his debut album - the lush, lovingly created ‘Ocean Eyes’, which was released by Island Records in February 2010 - certified gold or platinum in nine countries. The album spawned the quadruple-platinum first single ‘Fireflies’, which was a No. 1...

Album Release: An Airplane Carried Me To Bed Label: Island Records Released: 26th July 2010 “ Before there was Owl City, there was Sky Sailing. These recordings are a step into the past, the documented account of a shy boy from Minnesota with more hopes and dreams than he knew what to do with. I am so very excited to share it with you .” – Adam Young Adam Young was a mere teenager in Owatonna, Minnesota when he wrote and recorded his first collection of songs under the moniker Sky Sailing. The album An Airplane Carried Me To Bed offers 11 songs that trace back the genesis of Adam Young as a songwriter and showcase a simple innocence through their sound and openhearted lyrics. Fan’s got their first peek into the world of Sky Sailing a few weeks ago when Adam quietly posted demo versions of two songs that are on the album, “Brielle” and “I Live Alone,” on MySpace. Written and recorded nearly three years ago, the songs that Adam Young did as Sky Sailing reflect the wonder and exc...

Owl City Single Release: " Umbrella Beach "  Label: Island Records Released: 17th May 2010 www.owlcitymusic.co.uk It has been a fantastic start to the year for Owl City . His swift and staggering rise from the unknown into chart topping success saw his debut single ‘ Fireflies ’ top the charts in 18 countries, including the UK where it spent 3 weeks at the No.1 spot and is currently certified gold. His debut album ‘ Ocean Eyes ’ charted at No.7 and is currently certified silver. The UK has quite clearly joined the rest of the world in tumbling head over heels for Owl City. Young , who counts fellow surrealist Tim Burton in his ever growing list of admirers – so much so that he included his track ‘ The Technicolor Phase ’ in the soundtrack to Alice in Wonderland – is modestly taking his latest chart topping success in his stride. “ It hasn't quite sunk in yet and I suspect it never really will. It's surreal to think that a song I wrote in a basement in the mid...

" FIRFELIES " SOARS UP THE CHARTS TO THE NO.1 SPOT! As tickets for his UK tour sell out fast, Owl City's global phenomenon ' Fireflies ' soars up the UK charts to No.1!! Owl City’s single ‘Fireflies’ has already sold nearly 3 million copies in the US, topped the Billboard chart - twice - and the iTunes chart in 6 countries, yet until recently he was still relatively unknown in the UK. However, following its early release due to popular demand here in the UK and with very little promotion, ' Fireflies ' topped the UK charts on Sunday. Adam Young , the talented young man behind Owl City is modestly taking his latest chart topping success in his stride. “ It hasn't quite sunk in yet and I suspect it never really will. It's surreal to think that a song I wrote in a basement in the middle of blustery Minnesota has made it as far as it has. Needless to say, I'm completely thrilled .” Owl City can’t wait to hit the road in the UK and, judging by t...

Owl City Single: ‘ Fireflies ’ to be released 22nd February 2010 on  Island Records ‘Most of my inspiration comes from daydreaming, as I haven't really gone anywhere or done anything. I find a lot of inspiration in imagining what the world would be like if things were different -- better.’ It’s hard to imagine how much better things could get for Adam Young right now. When the shy 23-year-old first uploaded a few synth-pop songs on to his MySpace profile in 2007, his Owl City project was just one of thousands of unknown acts in the web’s worldwide hive of musical activity. Two-and-a-half years and one EP, two albums and over 50 million MySpace hits later, Owl City ’s ‘ Fireflies ’ single hit the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Billboard charts in early November 2009. It had already sold nearly two million copies, been No.1 in the U.S. iTunes chart, and been officially declared the fastest-selling electronic/alternative track of all-time. Its parent album, the self-produced ‘Ocean ...