Are You Their Friend?

Psychedelic lights revealed the sweaty faces of the screaming, satisfied fans. Music videos as the stage’s back drop added to the visual treat. The punk music that rocked its way through out the packed out auditorium resulted in a successful performance.

On April 11 North Central University was one of many stops on Hawk Nelson’s Green T Tour. The Ontario, Canada four piece band has been signed with Tooth and Nail Records for five years now. Their tour has nothing to do with the Green movement; in fact, lead vocalist of Hawk Nelson, Jason Dunn did not realize the connection between the two.

“I don’t even know what the green movement is. Is that like those people who want to save the trees?” sarcastically asked Dunn.

Jokes aside, Dunn explained the theme of the tour.

“When we first started up five years ago, we didn’t have a CD or anything. All we had were these green t- shirts that said, Hawk Nelson is My Friend, and they literally bought our gas money to the next show. We thought it would be cool to bring the green tee shirts back into our tour. They are a little nicer, and a little more modern,” explained Dunn.

The Green T tour’s focus is strictly on the Hawk Nelson’s fans. Fans who pre-order their tickets are given a green t- shirt that says ‘Hawk Nelson is My Friend.’ On the back of the shirt is a childish sketch of two eyes and an opened mouth revealing twelve teeth. Those who wore the shirt to the concert are given special access to enter the auditorium an hour and a half early to ask the band members questions.

One fan asked Jason Dunn and bassist Daniel Biro about their testimonies. Another fan asked what advice they would give a band that is just starting out.
Hawk Nelson is nothing more than a group of guys that strive to be transparent with their fans. They want to show their fans that they are human, and that there is nothing that sets them apart from them.

Being a part of a Christian band can be difficult when the world is highly influenced by secular music. The punk rock band such as Green Day sings lyrics that insult the government. Hawk Nelson on the other hand sings positive, promising lyrics.

“I think kids who don’t necessarily believe in God or want to believe in God, will listen to us and maybe they will come to a place like here tonight where they would never step into a Christian environment just to hear Hawk Nelson play and that’s why we’re here,” says Dunn.

Hawk Nelson’s audience is an assortment of people with different backgrounds. God has blessed all four members of Hawk Nelson with musical talent to deliver the message of Jesus Christ through music. Because of their abilities to play music, they are able to reach those who come from broken homes that never heard about the love of Jesus Christ.

“I think we’ve been called to go beyond the walls of the church as well as in the church but Jesus didn’t spend all his time in the church, he spent it out on the streets hanging out with the criminals and sinners basically,” says Dunn.

The boys of Hawk Nelson must remember that there will be people in their audience that do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But because God has blessed the band with talent and ability to communicate His message to the lost, there is hope for them. Jason Dunn, however, doesn’t see that reaching fans will be too difficult with music as a median.

“Music is the universal language,” says Dunn, “everybody loves music.”

Owl City

Owl City is muscian Adam Young. Young is from Owatonna, Minnesota. He programs, sings, and synths his electronic pop melodies. Power pop has been gaining popularity amongst music junkies, and hopefully it continues to do so.

Owl City has a new record released titled, Maybe I'm Dreaming. You can download it on iTunes today! And you should probably download the song, Dear Vienna...

Vienna: What record label would you like to be signed with? Why?

Adam: Sub Pop. I've always loved the albums they release. They seem to really view music as art rather than an identity by which musicians must always embrace, regardless to style or creative integrity.

V: When you were recording your record, "Of June," what you were your expectations for it?

A: I grew up playing a lot of Wave Race 64, a Nintendo game with a wonderfully lighthearted electronic soundtrack. That music has always stayed with me and I really wanted to write songs that capture that sort of "feel-good" type of optimism.

V: What is the meaning behind Owl City?

A: There really is no special meaning behind the name, the two words just seemed to fit together to create an interesting mental image. A city of owls? I want to visit there.

V: What is one band/artist that you would like to tour with? Why?

A: Sherwood. Those cats are cool.

V: What song do you think would be Owl City's first music video? Why?

A: I think "Hello Seattle" would make a great video. Seattle itself is just so photogenic, I would love to incorporate footage of the sparkling skyline, the Space Needle and Puget Sound in the twilight. It really is a magical city.

V: What is your goal for Owl City?

A: I want to write music to make people feel happy. I want Owl City to be an escape from all the bad days that inevitably pop up from time to time.