Taste Test: Avicii

Taste Test: Avicii

6 April, 2011 | 3.32AM

• Written by: Dan Cole
• Filed under: Music News: avicii, strictly rhythm, taste test, tim berg

Avicii, aka global house superstar Tim Berg, has become one of the biggest names in dance music, thanks to hits like hits like “My Feeling for You” and “Seek Bromance"—not bad for a 21-year-old.

Having caught the eye of Strictly Rhythm, Avicii has mixed together some of this year’s biggest Miami hits for the label’s Strictly Miami series. We caught up with the young whippersnapper to find out more about his listening habits.

What was the first record you remember having as a child?

The first record I remember was a greatest hits record from Kiss. It was a gift from one of my siblings and I must have listened to that record a thousand times.

What was the first record you bought with your own money?

Hmm, I wish I could say Daft Punk‘s Homework or something like that, but the truth is Scatman’s World. I was about 7 or 8 and was obsessed with it and I was proud to be able to buy it myself.

Which style of music was your first great love?

Rock for sure. My brothers and sisters have all been big rock fans so I didn’t really have a choice, haha.

How have your musical tastes changed since you were a teenager?

Hmm, well, it’s gone way more EDM, that’s for sure. Today I’m almost exclusively listening to electronic music—and just a few other artists I love when I want to get away from it.

What was the last record (or MP3) you bought?

The last one was probably Axwell’s ”One Look.” Most of the stuff I play I get from promos or just my own productions.

How many tracks or records do you typically acquire every week—both promos & purchases?

Oh, hundreds. Only one or two that I really like and eventually end up playing, though.

What format do you DJ with?

I just switched fully to USBs because of the lightweight and simple handling. But I always carry backup empty CDs just in case. Don’t know if I’ll ever switch to computer mixing, though.

Name your three favorite tracks at the moment:

I would say:

1. My own track that I haven’t named yet; called “ID” by the fans;

2. Arno Cost – “Lise “

3. Henrik B – “Acid Rocker”

Three favorite classic tracks:

Super hard, but:

1. Daft Punk, ” One More Time”

2. Shapeshifters, ”Lola’s Theme”

3. The Source feat. Candi Staton, ”You Got the Love”

Which track (by another musician) do you wish that you had made?

I would say Pryda‘s “Shadows.” For me, it’s one of the best house records ever made.

What’s your favorite record from this year that isn’t electronic dance music?

Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” She’s just an amazing singer and her voice really touches me.

Current reading or last good book read?

No Angel—a book about an undercover cop working Hells Angels. 

Favorite iPhone app:

Whatsapp

Favorite video game:

Grand Theft Auto IV

Favorite piece of gear:

My computer.

Favorite city/country/club to perform in?

City: Miami. Country: Canada. Club: The Guvernment.

What country would you be thrilled to play in, just for the food?

Italy.

Strangest thing you’ve ever eaten while on tour:

Hmm, I don’t eat that much weird stuff, but probably snails or something.

Strangest thing a fan has ever given you:

I really wish I had something cool to say here, I really do, but the strangest thing is probably still a photo for me to sign.

Frequent flyer survival tip:

Carry-on and my computer gets my through my travels. I would be exhausted if it weren’t for both of them.

Weirdest rumor you’ve ever heard about yourself:

Well, someone told me that they heard that I actually was 30-something years old and that saying I’m 21 is just a publicity stunt, which for anyone who looks at me is completely ridiculous. Another is when I was quoted to say, “I hate not playing for people” in a Canadian online newspaper. Ha!

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• Check out Avicii on Beatport Now