Avicii

Not to be confused with Avīci.
Avicii

Avicii in 2014
Background information
Birth name Tim Bergling
Born 8 September 1989
Stockholm, Sweden
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active 2007–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website avicii.com
Notable instruments
Antares Autotune
M-Audio Keyboard
reFX Nexus
FL Studio
Kontakt
Sylenth1
Zeta+

Tim Bergling (born 8 September 1989), better known by his stage name Avicii (/əˈviːtʃi/, a-VEE-chee; stylized as ɅVICII or ◢ ◤ symbol), is a Swedish EDM DJ, remixer, and a country and electro house record producer.[3] Avicii ranked 3rd on DJ Magazine‍‍ '​‍s annual Top 100 DJs in 2012 and 2013[4][5] and has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award, once for his work on "Sunshine" with David Guetta in 2012[6] and once for his song "Levels" in 2013. Some of his most famous songs are "I Could Be the One" with Nicky Romero, "Wake Me Up", "You Make Me", "X You", "Hey Brother", "Addicted to You" and "Seek Bromance".

Early life and career

Tim Bergling was born on 8 September 1989 in Stockholm, Sweden.[7] In May 2007, Avicii signed on with the Dejfitts Plays label.[7] Then, in 2010, Avicii released the hit song "Seek Bromance", which reached the top 20 in several countries including Belgium, France, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Sweden. He also remixed Nadia Ali's classic single "Rapture" for her album Queen of Clubs Trilogy: Onyx Edition. In October 2010, Avicii signed with the European A&R team with EMI Music Publishing.

Career

2011–12: "Levels" and international breakthrough

In 2011, Avicii released "Levels", which launched him into the mainstream. The song was produced and written by Tim Bergling and contains a vocal sample from the 1962 gospel-inspired "Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Etta James. The same vocal sample was used first by Pretty Lights in his 2006 song "Finally Moving". This sample was also used by Drum and Bass producer Logistics on "Call Me Back" and by Flo Rida in his single "Good Feeling", which was produced by DJ Prak and Cirkut.[8] "Levels" reached the top ten in Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, whilst topping the charts in Hungary, Norway and Sweden.

In 2012, his collaboration track "Sunshine" with David Guetta was nominated for a Grammy award under the category for Best Dance Recording.[6] His track "Fade into Darkness" was sampled by Leona Lewis on her single "Collide". The sampling was not accredited and led to controversy as Avicii attempted to block the single's release. However, the matter was resolved outside of court with representatives stating "that Leona Lewis and Avicii will work together on the forthcoming single of Collide".[9]

On 23 March 2012, Avicii's unsigned single "Last Dance" was previewed on Pete Tong's show on BBC Radio 1. The song was later released on 27 August 2012. At Ultra Music Festival 2012 in Miami, he premiered two tracks, "Girl Gone Wild" (Avicii's UMF Remix) with Madonna and "Superlove" with Lenny Kravitz. Avicii's UMF Remix of "Girl Gone Wild" was released on 20 April 2012, and "Superlove" with Kravitz was released on 29 May 2012. After reaching two million followers on Facebook, Avicii released a new song titled "Two Million". It was put out as a free download on his official Soundcloud page. On 27 April 2012, Avicii released "Silhouettes". The song featured vocals from Salem Al Fakir and peaked at number 5 on the UK Dance charts and number 4 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs.

Avicii was a featured performer on 4 August 2012 at Lollapalooza festival in Chicago's Grant Park. On 12 August 2012, he released "Dancing in My Head" (Avicii's 'Been Cursed' Mix) on Beatport. The track features vocals from Eric Turner. A radio edit of the track, titled "Dancing in My Head" (Tom Hangs Mix) was released on 14 August 2012 on iTunes, and a remix EP was later released on 30 October 2012 featuring remixes from Charlie Bernardo and Michael Woods. On 26 September 2012, Avicii made history by being the first DJ to headline the world famous Radio City Music Hall in New York City.[10] He performed two sold out shows on 26 and 27 September. He was supported by Matt Goldman and Cazzette at the two shows. At his Radio City Music Hall shows, he played a preview of his new track with Mike Posner titled "Stay with You".

On 29 December 2012, Avicii released "I Could Be the One" with Nicky Romero. After first being debuted at his shows almost a year earlier, the track finally got released via Avicii's record label LE7ELS. The new vocal version was released along with an instrumental version, a radio edit, and remixes from Audrio and Didrick. On 9 January 2013, Avicii launched the Avicii X You project, a partnership with Ericsson[11] designed to create the world's first "crowdsourced" hit song. The project enabled fans to send in basslines, effects, melodies, rhythms and vocals to Avicii as sound files over the Internet. The song features sequences from Kian Sang (melody), Naxsy (bassline), Martin Kupilas (beat), ВАНЯ ХАКСИ (break), Jonathan Madray, Mateusz Kolata, and Christian Westphalen (effects). Avicii acted as executive producer and created the finished song officially titled X You, which was released on 26 February 2013. On 30 January 2013, Avicii released "Three Million" featuring Negin to mark the three millionth fan on his Facebook page.

Avicii was nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording with "Levels" at the 2013 Grammy Awards. He was nominated alongside Calvin Harris and Ne-Yo, Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia and John Martin, and Al Walser. The award show took place on 10 February 2013. From late February to early March 2013, Avicii toured Australia as one of the headline acts in the Future Music Festival alongside The Prodigy and The Stone Roses.[12] In late February 2013, Avicii made his first South American Tour including concerts in Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Chile.

2013: True

Avicii at Inox Festival, 2011.

In March 2013, Avicii announced and premiered many new tracks from his new album "True", which would later be set to be released in September, during his Main Stage set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami. The new tracks were experimental in nature. For example, Avicii brought out a stomping band to play through the new bluegrass-tinged song "Wake Me Up".[13] Many of these new songs, however, received mixed critical reviews after the concert.[14]

On 11 April 2013, Avicii released his new album promo mix on SoundCloud. The EBU and SVT announced on 15 April that Avicii, along with ex-ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, had composed the anthem for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. The song was performed for the first time in the Final on 18 May.[15]

On 14 June 2013, the world premier of Avicii's new single, "Wake Me Up", was previewed by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1, featuring vocals from Aloe Blacc. The song was later released on iTunes and radio on 25 June 2013. It is the first single from Avicii's album True, which was released on 16 September 2013. "Wake Me Up" was number 1 on the Spotify Global Chart and Avicii was at 2 in most streamed artist worldwide. The Official Charts Company announced on 21 July that "Wake Me Up" had become the UK's fastest selling single of 2013 after overtaking Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines", having sold 267,000 copies in its first week on sale in the UK.[16] "Wake Me Up" subsequently became a major hit, topping the charts in over 20 countries including Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

On 19 October 2013, the DJ Mag 2013 Top 100 DJs List was announced, with Avicii ranking No.3 on the list. Hardwell became the new World No.1 displacing Armin Van Buuren.[17] On 28 October 2013, Avicii released the single "Hey Brother" with vocals by Dan Tyminski. On 10 November, Avicii won his first award "Best Electronic" at the MTV EMA's.[18] On 24 November 2013 he won the American Music Award for favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist.[19] In December 2013, Avicii released his fourth single off the album,Addicted To You Which reached no. 1 in Australia, with vocals from Audra Mae, who also sings on Shame on Me and Long Road to Hell, both tracks on the album. Avicii's latest released single, Lay Me Down, featured guitar playing from Nile Rodgers, who plays on many songs from Daft Punk's album Random Access Memories, and Adam Lambert.

In January 2014, the French hit music radio station NRJ released a new web radio station called "NRJ AVICII", which plays songs only by Avicii. On 8 March 2014, Avicii's Instagram account confirmed a collaboration with Madonna. The extent of the collaboration is unknown.[20]

On 21 March 2014, Avicii released a remixed edition of his album True titled True: Avicii By Avicii containing remixes by himself of all the tracks, excluding "Heart Upon My Sleeve" for unknown reasons. The promotion of this album was supposed to begin at the 2014 Ultra Music Festival, but unfortunately Avicii announced he had been hospitalised on 28 March, and was unable to play his closing set at the festival.[21] On 28 March 2014, FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment announced that Avicii would be collaborating with Carlos Santana, Wyclef Jean and Alexandre Pires for the official FIFA World Cup Anthem titled "Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)." The anthem was performed at the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony on 13 July 2014.[22]

On 7 April 2014, Avicii released his single "Lay Me Down". He also produced and collaborated with Chris Martin from Coldplay, co-writing and co-producing the track "A Sky Full of Stars" from the band's sixth studio album Ghost Stories, released on 19 May 2014. He also played and recorded the piano parts on the track. "A Sky Full of Stars" was released on 3 May as the second single from Ghost Stories.[23] "Lovers on the Sun", a track Avicii co-produced with David Guetta, was released on 30 June 2014.[24] He has also worked with Wyclef Jean on a single titled "Divine Sorrow" off his upcoming album Clefication.[25]

2014–present: Stories and major collaborations

In July 2014, Avicii told Rolling Stone that he had worked on 70 songs for his next album, which will include collaborations with Jon Bon Jovi, Serj Tankian of System of a Down, Chris Martin, Wyclef Jean and Matisyahu. Describing the album, Avicii said: "It's going to be a lot more song-oriented."[26] "Lose Myself", a collaboration between Avicii and Chinese singer Wang Leehom, was released on 1 September 2014.[27]

On 8 September 2014, on his 25th birthday, Avicii decided to cancel all of his remaining performances of 2014 due to health concerns.[28] The following day, he announced through Denim & Supply that he would release his new single "The Days" later in 2014; a video was also featured with a preview of the track.[29] "The Days" is a collaboration between Avicii and Robbie Williams, and was released on 3 October 2014 via PRMD.

On 16 September 2014, it was announced through EA Sports that Avicii was debuting a brand new track called "The Nights" exclusively on FIFA 15.[30] On 17 November 2014, it was officially announced that the track is to be released as a part of an EP together with "The Days".[31]

On 17 November 2014, Wyclef Jean released his new track "Divine Sorrow" featuring Avicii.[32]

On 2 March 2015, Avicii performed live at Australia's Future Music Festival his upcoming single "Heaven", a collaboration with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin on vocals and piano riffs.[33]

A lot of songs were leaked into the internet via Avicii's UMF set 2015.[34] These songs include "Heaven", "Waiting For Love," and one of his unreleased songs "City Lights".[34][35]

Influences

Daft Punk (left) and Swedish House Mafia (right) have both been influences on Avicii.

Avicii's influences include Daft Punk, former trio Swedish House Mafia (Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Axwell) and Eric Prydz.[36]

Charitable work

Since achieving widespread commercial success, Avicii began working with his manager and executive producer Ash Pournouri to start House for Hunger[37] in 2011, a charity dedicated to alleviating global hunger. The pair wanted to showcase the giving spirit fostered by the house music community. Avicii explained, "You have to give something back. I am so fortunate to be in the position where I can actually do that. I feel lucky every day when I wake up and am able to do what I love and make a living." In addition to donating $1 million to Feeding America, a charity founded by John van Hengel, House for Hunger has helped fund the efforts of The Feed Foundation, started by Laura Bush[38] allowing it to distribute over two million school meals throughout Africa.[39]

DJ Magazine's Top 100 DJs Rankings

Discography

Main article: Avicii discography

Tour

Awards

American Music Awards

The American Music Awards is an annual American music awards show created by Dick Clark in 1973, which airs on ABC. Avicii received one nomination.

Year Recipient Award Result
2013 Avicii Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM) style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2014[43] Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM) style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated

Billboard Music Awards

The Billboard Music Awards are an annual awards show from Billboard Magazine, Avicii received four nominations.

Year Recipient Award Result
2014 Avicii Top Dance/Electronic Artist style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
True Top Dance/Electronic Album style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
"Wake Me Up" (with Aloe Blacc) Top Radio Song style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
Top Dance/Electronic Song style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

Echo Awards

The Echo Music Awards is an annual music awards ceremony presented by Deutsche Phono-Akademie in Germany. Avicii won two awards.

Year Recipient Award Result
2014[44] Avicii Electronic Dance Music National/International rowspan=2 style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
Hit des Jahres

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Avicii received one nomination in 2012 and one nomination in 2013.

Year Recipient Award Result
2012 "Sunshine" (David Guetta & Avicii) Best Dance Recording style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
2013 "Levels" Best Dance Recording style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated

iHeartRadio Music Awards

The iHeartRadio Music Awards is an awards show created by iHeartRadio. Avicii received two nominations and won an award.

Year Recipient Award Result
2014 "Wake Me Up" (with Aloe Blacc) Best Lyrics style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
EDM Song of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

International Dance Music Awards

The International Dance Music Awards are held annually as part of the Winter Music Conference. Avicii has received four nominations and won one.

Year Recipient Award Result
2013[45] Avicii Best European DJ rowspan=3 style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
Best Remixer
Levels Podcast Best Podcast
Avicii Best Artist (Solo) style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

MTV Europe Music Awards

The MTV Europe Music Awards were established in 1994 by MTV Networks Europe, Avicii received three nominations.

Year Recipient Award Result
2012 Avicii Best Electronic style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
Best Swedish Act style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
2013 Best Electronic style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
Best Swedish Act style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
Best Northern European Act style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated

MTV Video Music Awards

The MTV Video Music Awards are presented annually by MTV and honor accomplishments in the music video medium. Avicii has received two nominations.

Year Recipient Award Result
2014[46] "Wake Me Up" (with Aloe Blacc) Best Pop rowspan=2 style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
"Hey Brother" Best Video With a Social Message

Teen Choice Awards

The Teen Choice Awards is an annual award ceremony to honour the year's biggest achievements in entertainment and is voted by teen viewers. Avicii has won an award.

Year Recipient Award Result
2014[47] "Wake Me Up" Choice EDM Song style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

World Music Awards

The World Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that honors best selling artists in the record industry. Avicii received eight nominations.

Year Recipient Award Result
2014 "Wake Me Up" World's Best Song style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
World's Best Video style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
True World's Best Album style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
Avicii World's Best Male style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
World's Best Live Act style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
World's Best Electronic Dance Artist style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
World's Best Entertainer of the Year style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated
World's Best Swedish Act style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

See also

References

  1. ↑ Beasley, Corey (24 April 2012). "Sweetgreen's Sweetlife Food & Music Festival 2012 on Saturday". PopMatters. Retrieved 28 September 2014. Electro house hero Avicii headlines the evening, promising full-throttle beats when the sun goes down.
  2. ↑ "AVICII: Island Records". Island Records. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "AVICII: Biography". The DJ List. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 DJ Mag Top 100 Results 2012. djmag.com
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 DJ Mag Top 100 Results 2013. djmag.com
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Avicii. "Grammy Awards 2012". Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Avicii Bio | Avicii Career". MTV. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Avicii Bio, Music, News & Shows". DJZ.com. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  9. ↑ Halliday, Josh (16 August 2011). "Leona Lewis resolves legal dispute with Swedish DJ over new single". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  10. ↑ Montgomery, James (27 September 2012). "Avicii Makes History – Loudly – With Radio City Show".
  11. ↑ Ericsson sets tone for new music trends in project with Avicii, 8 January 2013.
  12. ↑ "Home | Future Music". Futureentertainment.com.au. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  13. ↑ Doyle, Patrick (29 August 2014). "Avicii's Rave New World". Rolling Stone.
  14. ↑ Farella, Dylan (27 March 2013). "Avicii rolls the dice at Ultra 2013; too advanced for dance". Dancing Astronaut.
  15. ↑ "ABBA's Benny, Björn and Avicii to write 'Eurovision anthem'". EBU. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  16. ↑ Kreisler, Lauren (21 July 2013). "Avicii scores fastest selling single of 2013 so far with Wake Me Up". Official Charts. Official Charts Company.
  17. ↑ Farella, Dylan (10 November 2012). "7 reasons why Avicii was voted top 3 in DJ Mag's 2012 ranking". Dancing Astronaut.
  18. ↑ Houston, Roger (11 November 2013). "Avicii Wins Best Electronic Award at MTV EMA". exqlusiv.com.
  19. ↑ "AMA Winners List 2013". Hollywoodlife.com.
  20. ↑ Coleman, Miriam (8 March 2014). "Madonna Announces Collaboration With Avicii".
  21. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (28 March 2014). "Avicii replaced by Deadmau5 at Ultra Music Festival 2014".
  22. ↑ "Daily Wrap-Up: 4–2–14". NoisePorn. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  23. ↑ SPARKY (28 April 2014). "New songs aired during the emotional and revealing Chris Martin interview!".
  24. ↑ Stern, Bradley (30 June 2014). "David Guetta And Avicii Team Up For 'Lovers on the Sun (Feat. Sam Martin)': Listen". idolator.com.
  25. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (28 August 2014). "Exclusive: Wyclef Jean Announces 'Clefication' Album & Avicii-Assisted Single". Billboard. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  26. ↑ Edwards, Gavin (31 July 2014). "Avicii Calls in Rock & Roll Collaborators for Follow-Up to 'True'". Rolling Stone (1214). Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  27. ↑ Wang Leehom & Avicii “Lose Myself” (Single Premiere). josepvinaixa.com. 1 September 2014
  28. ↑ Smith, Katie (8 September 2014) Avicii Cancels Future Performances Indefinitely Due To Health Concerns. edmtunes.com
  29. ↑ Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren and Avicii Present: "The Days". YouTube. 12 September 2014
  30. ↑ Escucha la banda sonora de FIFA 15. easports.com. 16 September 2014
  31. ↑ "Avicii – The Nights (Audio)". YouTube. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  32. ↑ "Coca-Cola Invites The World To "Share The Sound of an AIDS Free Generation" And Support (RED)". The Coca-Cola Company. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  33. ↑ "Avicii And Chris Martin Dance in 'Heaven' on Their New Song". Future Music Festival. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Middleton, Ryan (19 April 2015) Avicii Releases Ultra Music Festival 2015 Live Set Filled With New 'Stories' Songs. musictimes.com
  35. ↑ A complete tracklist of his set can be found on Avicii's SoundCloud page
  36. ↑ Did you know Avicii named Daft Punk, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz as key musical influences?| Picture Galleries. Capital FM. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  37. ↑ houseforhunger.org.
  38. ↑ thefeedfoundation.org.
  39. ↑ Amorosi, A.D. (14 February 2013). "Avicci: Leading By Example With Charity". DJZ.com.
  40. ↑ DJ Mag Top 100 Results 2010. djmag.com
  41. ↑ DJ Mag Top 100 Results 2011. djmag.com
  42. ↑ DJ Mag Top 100 Results 2014. djmag.com
  43. ↑ USA TODAY (23 November 2014). "List of winners: 2014 American Music Awards". USA TODAY. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  44. ↑ "WebCite query result". Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  45. ↑ 28th Annual International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) 2013 winners. houseplanet.dj. 22 March 2013
  46. ↑ "VMAs Winners List: Updating Video Music Awards Winners List – Variety". Variety. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  47. ↑ "2014 Teen Choice Awards Winners and Nominees – complete list". HitFix. Retrieved 10 March 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avicii.