Avicii: The ROLLING STONE interview from 2017
Avicii spent most of his twenties as one of the world’s biggest touring DJs, delighting fans from Las Vegas to Ibiza with confetti cannons and colossal EDM hooks. Not to mention a popular wedding pop song (“Wake Me Up”).
But as it turns out, it wasn’t very funny for him, as in one Aviciidocumentary, due out later this year. It shows how the stress of life on tour led the Swedish superstar (real name Tim Bergling) to multiple hospital stays. Because of pancreatitis related to excessive alcohol consumption, because of a ruptured appendix and because of a gallbladder that had to be removed. And finally, he retired from touring last year.
“I had to rearrange my life”
“I had to rearrange my life,” says 27-year-old Avicii, who has just released a new EP, Avīci (01). “It was all about success for the sake of success. I wasn’t happy anymore.”
There are intense moments in the documentary, such as: B. when you suffered excruciating pain from pancreatitis or argued with promoters who wanted you to continue touring. What was it like to experience it all again?
It was hard. I looked at myself and thought, “Damn, you really should have pushed harder.” Come on, Tim!” Why didn’t I stop the ship sooner?
EDM became oversaturated four, five, six years ago
Do you feel a connection to Brian Wilson and the Beatles, who gave up touring to concentrate on their studio work?
In any case. I have the new Beatles documentary [Ron Howards Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years] And at certain points I thought, “Oh, it wasn’t just me.” The only thing that stopped me from quitting was that I felt weird, like, “Why the hell can’t I do this?” enjoy it like all the other DJs?” But I’m starting to realize that many of the DJs who look excited at every show have the same thoughts.
You broke through at a time when EDM was the biggest sound in the world. Do you think this era is finally over?
EDM became oversaturated four, five, six years ago when money became everything. From that point on, I started not mentally connecting to EDM. Now that I have more time in the studio, I want to learn as much as possible about other genres. That’s what I love most. Having a session with Nile Rodgers, for example, and gaining an understanding of music that is invaluable.
Mike Posner had a big hit last year with “I Took a Pill in Ibiza (Seeb Remix),” in which he talks about taking drugs to impress but ending up sad and disappointed. How did that make you feel?
Mike is a good friend, so I took it as an honor. And I agree – parties can be great, but it’s very easy to get used to partying in places like Ibiza. You become lonely and have anxiety attacks. It becomes poisonous.
“It’s very easy to get too used to partying. You become lonely and have anxiety attacks. It becomes toxic.”
Have you attended concerts by other artists in the past year? Can you enjoy it when you’re not on stage?
No not really. I’m still traumatized. But I’m sure I will be again. I started listening to music again and regaining some of that joy.
In one scene in the film you talk about reading Carl Jung and realizing that you were an introvert. What was the last good book you read?
The Untethered Soul, by Michael A. Singer. It’s about awareness. None of us can handle our emotions today – most of us walk around just reacting. That’s why I had to stop touring because I couldn’t read my emotions properly.
You’ve said that a New Year’s resolution was to make “the best damn album of your career.” How is it going?
Things are going well. I want to bring back some older songs for the die-hard fans, but also do new stuff to make it sound fresh. [Das Avicii-Album von 2015] Stories was well received, but not as good as [das Album] True from 2013. So I’m a little nervous.
You worked on Madonna’s album “Rebel Heart” a few years ago. Are you still in touch with her?
Not really. I would love to work with her again, but that was right at the time when I was busiest and I think she was disappointed in me because I couldn’t put in as much time as she wanted. Many things suffer when you don’t have the energy or time to do them right. You think you can get away with it, but the quality suffers.
“Fuck hits, we do musicals”
Abba are reportedly working on a mysterious reunification project. Are you looking forward to it?
Wow! I didn’t even know that. Many young people don’t understand how great Abba are. There are almost no songwriters who are on the same level as Björn [Ulvaeus] and Benny [Andersson]. They said to themselves: “Screw hits, we’ll do musicals” – and they did it. I really admire that.
Diplo has a new TV show in which he is played by actor James Van Der Beek. Who would play you if there was a series about your life as a DJ?
Jamie Foxx, of course [lacht]. Damn, I don’t know!