Electronic dance music has suffered a tremendous loss with the death of Avicii

Today marks one of the darkest days in electronic dance music (EDM) history, as one of our best and brightest producers, Tim Bergling (Avicii), has died at the young age of 28. According to his publicist Diana Baron, he was found dead in Muscat, Oman. 

Avicii helped launch the EDM boom, that we are still experiencing the tail end of to this day. His contribution to EDM is reflected in his now timeless classics such as "Levels", 'Fade Into Darkness", "Silhouettes", and his collaboration with Nicky Romero "I Could Be The One". His tracks were constantly featured in DJ tracklist rotations, which helped to sell out countless arenas and festivals for years to come. 

In my opinion, "Levels" is the biggest EDM track to have come out in this generation. It was heard by everyone, young and old, EDM fans and non-fans alike, as it reached heights rarely ever seen by any other dance track, even being featured in a Super Bowl commercial. 

Not only did Avicii revolutionize the charts and help define EDM, he also put on a top 3 all-time Ultra performance in 2013. He shocked the EDM world with the introduction of a new sonic direction showcased in his True album. The crowd at the time (including myself) was stunned by the radically new sound that Avicii was presenting by mixing electronic beats with folk, bluegrass, and country music. In a sea of sameness in the heart of the EDM boom back in 2013, when everybody and their mother played big room, Avicii once again stood out and gave a set that became more appreciated and recognized for its boldness as time went on. 

Avicii announced his retirement back in 2016 due to "acute pancreatitis" and "alcoholism", but I've always hoped to see him on the big stage again. I secretly wished that he would fully regain his health (both physical and mental), and give fans a wonderful comeback tour. But that was not to be, and now we must face the fact that EDM has lost one of its greatest artists. You will be missed Tim, R.I.P. 

By David Mann
Founder of EDM Canada

Why Avicii had to retire (Updated)

(Source: Rukes)

Update: 

Since this post has been published, The Hollywood Reporter managed to land a few direct quotes from Avicii on why he decided to retire at age 26. Here are some excerpts: 

“To me it was something I had to do for my health,” he says of his decision to quit touring. “The scene was not for me. It was not the shows and not the music. It was always the other stuff surrounding it that never came naturally to me. All the other parts of being an artist. I'm more of an introverted person in general.It was always very hard for me. I took on board too much negative energy, I think.”

He later went on to say that he's happier now that he has regained a private life. Good for him. To read the full article, click here.

(Source: THR, via Billboard)

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Mixmag posted a revealing article detailing possible explanations as to why Avicii, one of the biggest stars in the electronic dance music scene, is retiring after this year. Here are some tidbits: 

"And indeed it was. Avicii suffered from acute pancreatitis due to alcoholism in 2013, and had his gallbladder removed a year later. When it came to the release of his second studio album 'Stories' in 2015, the producer told FuseTV that he was pushing for a “perfect” sound on the album, which obviously requires a level of focus that, given his plethora of health concerns, will have caused a great deal of stress. He told GQ Magazine that playing high-pressure live sets made him "so nervous," and that drinking gave him the “encouragement and self-confidence” to play live. A 2012 Austin Times interview revealed that he was “so busy,” had “no time off,” and oftentimes “forgot what city or country he was in." And a more recent quote for Dubai’s The National had Avicii admitting that he’s “very intense,” and has “no problem being [in the studio] for 60 hours without sleep." 

To read the full article, click here.

Add a crushing DJ schedule to this routine and you can start to add the pieces together as possible explanations of why one of our biggest stars will take time off. Hopefully he can find peace and one day, just maybe, he will return to touring once again. If he does come back, we will all welcome him with open arms. 

(Source: Mixmag)

Avicii plans to stop touring after 2016

(Source: Rukes)

Tim Berg, AKA Avicii, has posted a lengthy thank you letter to his inner circle and fans today on his website announcing that he plans to stop touring following his scheduled shows in 2016. Here's a snippet: 

My path has been filled with success but it hasn’t come without its bumps. I’ve become an adult while growing as an artist, I’ve come to know myself better and realize that there’s so much I want to do with my life. I have strong interests in different areas but there’s so little time to explore them.

Two weeks ago, I took the time to drive across the U.S. with my friends and team, to just look and see and think about things in a new way. It really helped me realize that I needed to make the change that I’d been struggling with for a while.

My choices and career have never been driven by material things, although I’m grateful for all the opportunities and comforts my success has availed me. I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform, but I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist.

I will however never let go of music - I will continue to speak to my fans through it, but I’ve decided this 2016 run will be my last tour and last shows. Let’s make them go out with a bang!

However, Avicii did leave the door open for a possible return in the future: 

"One part of me can never say never, I could be back ...but I won’t be right back."

You can read the full letter by clicking here.

Listen to Avicii's Ultra Music Festival 2015 set

If you're an Avicii fan, then listening to his UMF 2015 set is a must: 

Tracklist: 

1. John Newman - Love Me Again (Gemini Remix)
2. Blasterjaxx - Snake (Original Mix)
3. Avicii - Addicted To You - Avicii by Avicii remix
4. Avicii - You Make me - (Throttle Remix)
5. Avicii - The Nights (Original Mix)
6. Avicii - Hey Brother (Syn Cole remix)
7. Avicii - Hey Brother (Original Mix)
8. Avicii - Levels (Original Mix)
9. Avicii Vs Nicky Romero - I could be the one / The Pointer Sisters - Dare (Mashup)
10. Avicii - The Days (Jasmine Thompson Intro)
11. Rudimental feat. Emeli Sande - Free (Ivan Gough & Jebu Remix)
12. Avicii & Lenny Kravitz - Superlove(Original Mix)
13. Avicii - Fade into darkness (Original Mix)
14. Maple - Wasteland (Original Mix)
15. Nadia Ali - Rapture (Avicii New Generation Extended Mix)
16. Avicii - Blessed (Original Mix) 
17. Avicii - Blessed (Aylen Remix)
18. Phunk Investigation - XXX (Original Mix)
19. David Guetta - Lovers On The Sun (Original Mix)
20. Avicii - Wake Me Up(Kan inte hitta vart andra droppet kommer ifran)
21. Coldplay - Sky Full of Stars (Syn Cole Remix)
22. Avicii - Cant Love You Again (Original Mix)
23. Avicii - For A Better Day (Original Mix)
24. Avicii - Waiting For Love (Original Mix)
25. Avicii - City Lights (Original Mix)
26. Avicii - Heaven (Original Mix)
27. Avicii - RaqAttack (Instrumental) (Original Mix)
28. Avicii - True Believer (Original Mix)
29. Avicii - What Would I Change It To (Original Mix)
30. Avicii - Cant Catch Me (Original Mix)