Interview: Avicii, DJ

Avicii continues to smash the charts with his current release, Levels. His four year career in started when he was only 18 years old, and has seen hits with Seek Bromance, My Feelings For You and Fade into Darkness. Taking time out from his busy touring schedule, he spoke to Grant Paterson

Who taught you how to DJ?

I was producing music firstly, I got into Djing through my manager Ash who showed me what to do and how to do it.

So how did you get into producing your own music?

My friend told me about software which you could create music without playing any instruments. So I downloaded the demo to try and do a remix of an old video game track. I have been producing almost every day since then.

What music were you listening to when you first started out?

My father and my older brothers listened to Ray Charles and lots of 60’s rock and blues. That music has completely influenced everything I do.

Levels preludes the music of 2012, dub step feels cremated and everyone is ready to shower in synths. If you could have any female vocalist of your choice sing on that song, who would it be?

There are so many good female vocalists out there, but my dream collaboration at the moment would be with Adele. Her voice is amazing.

When can we expect a debut album from you aside from the remixes/singles, floating around?

It’s always been a goal to release an album but for the moment we’re really busy with touring and other projects. It’s just a matter of time. We want to make sure it’s something special so when the time is right we’ll be hitting the studio, focusing solely on that.

In the future, what direction do you think electronic dance music will go - harder or more commercial?

That question is really tough. No one could expect EDM (Electronic Dance Music) to be as big as it is today, but how the genre will evolve only time can tell.

How does someone experience the emotion from your music to it’s full extent?

In order to really get what EDM is about, I think you’ll have to attend one of my shows for that full experience. The crowds, the show production and an amazing sound really unites the people, and that feeling cannot be felt through your computer speakers.

What differentiates your aesthetic to other DJs?

My manager and I have tried to create our own sound. I think it can be defined as big room melodic house with a lot of loved up vibes.

Where do you see the future of Avicii?

Hopefully to continue do what I do today. I just want to keep touring, meeting all my fans all over the world and also reach out to new people with my music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ovdm2yX4MA