“Figure out what you’re GOOD AT, AND most passionate about in life. THEN, MIX THOSE TWO AND Give it your all, all OF the time.” – Tim Bergling
Few artists offer the same level of philosophical insight as a once-baby faced producer from Stockholm, and yet, Avicii’s contributions to our World seem to grow progressively with every passing year.
Now, 7 years after his death and exactly 14 after the recording of his first ever podcast (it seems like Tim was once again ahead of the curve by a considerable decade on the ‘20s’ most booming, yet increasingly over-saturated, market), the time has come to take a deep-dive into ‘LEVELS 01’, the very first episode of the Swede’s monthly show, first broadcast on 17th June 2011…
INFLUENCE OF ASH
Immediately, the almost overbearing nature of Tim’s infamous ex-manager, Ash Pournouri, becomes blindingly obvious as the mogul laughs over the initial introduction of the show, with a faux deep tone, implying his own distorted voice is the same as the one heard narrating the production’s intro. From the somewhat self-indulgent ‘Chat with LE7ELS Manager’ listed as item 06 on the show’s bookmarked tracklisting, through to the way Ash frequently prompts Tim to reveal certain information which may be commercially beneficial to them, (e.g. “So where are you travelling? A tour stretching from where to where?”). Ash does little to dampen the allegations of narcissism which were later hurled his way through Tim’s health decline. Whichever way you look at it, Pournouri knows how to PR the life out of Tim, and the brand he’s consequently creating alongside him. Though for all of Avicii’s self-confessed introvertism, the need to even include Ash within the show gives a rather pungent whiff of main character energy.
LOYALTY TO FRIENDS
Immediately, the episode offers a transparent insight into Tim’s fierce and passionate loyalty to his inner circle, characteristics publicly praised by the likes of (former photographer) Sean Eriksson, (school classmate) Filip Akesson, and (promoter-turned-friend) Jesse Waits. Using a large chunk of the opening quarter of the episode to showcase music from his lifelong buddy Otto Knows, whom Tim openly eulogizes on account of touring with Sebastian Ingrosso, Avicii then launches into a drop of ‘Acid Rocker’ by Henrik B, another Swede whom career then regularly entwines with Tim’s, with Ash signing him to the same label and supporting Tim at various live shows.
FUTURE KNOWLEDGE
Perhaps the most poignant moment of Tim’s clear support for the boom of fellow Swedish producers riding the same burgeoning EDM wave of himself arrives when he – with blinding accuracy – tips Alesso as the next big-star of electronic music. Having opened the mix with the now iconic ‘Pressure’ remix, Tim converses to Ash on the mic, boldly declaring: “Alesso’s been killing it, everything he does just gets better and better. He’s definitely the one to look out for in the future”
ECLECTIC TOUR DATES
Long before Ash had fully grasped onto both udders of the ‘AVICII’ cash-cow, Tim’s touring schedule still resembled something fairly healthy with a decent ‘work/life’ balance. Detailing the 2011 diary, the pair remark on how the Avicii roadshow was set to hit the Dominican Republic (certainly not a location you’d associate with Tim’s stellar headline sets at the likes of Ultra just 9 months later), and an exclusive Ibiza residency supporting a certain Mr David Guetta at the Frenchman’s ‘F**k Me I’m Famous’ Pacha slots.
‘EDM ERA’ SELECTIONS
Perhaps the most spine-tingle inducing highlight of a deep-dive like this, is undoubtedly the tracklist, filled with so many of those electro-focused Miami pool-party style vibes. Whilst the full extent of the ‘EDM era’ was yet to fully blossom during this period – Ironically, to be led by Avicii himself – Tim’s selections include high-energy rippers from the likes of Deniz Koyu, David Tort, Pryda, and Alesso’s bootleg of Swedish House Mafia’s ‘Save the World’.
Don’t just take this paragraph as evidence of it, though. Why not listen yourself and take a catapult down memory lane with the full episode: