Aloe Blacc eert Avicii

Things You Left Behind kan je hier luisteren.

Afgelopen zondag, 8 september, zou Tim Bergling 30 jaar geworden zijn. De Zweedse producer, die vooral bekend was als Avicii en internationale faam verwierf met singles als Levels en Hey Brother, stapte in april 2018 echter uit het leven. Het nieuws van zijn overlijden sloeg iedereen, fan of niet, met verstomming. 

Soulzanger Aloe Blacc, die met Avicii onder meer de hit Wake Me Up scoorde, vond dan ook dat die dertigste verjaardag niet ongemerkt voorbij kon gaan. Daarom stak hij het emotionele nummer Things You Left Behind in elkaar, een ode aan de Zweedse superster. Beluister het nummer hieronder

Dit bericht bekijken op Instagram

Today would have been Tim Bergling's 30th birthday. The news of his passing stunned me as it did all who were moved by his music and I am terribly sad that he is no longer with us. When I heard he was gone my heart immediately went out to his family and the words to this song came to me. I had only spent moments on stage and in the studio with him, but his family had spent years watching him grow. As a father of two young children myself I couldn't imagine the tragedy of living beyond them and having to gather the things they have left behind. I thought I would take today, Tim's birthday, to remember and to share what I learned about art from him. Take the risk. As an artist, if ever you feel nervous about something, it's better to take the risk than to regret it. When we created "Wake Me Up" there was no blueprint for the combination of sounds and no example of success to rely on. Lead rather than follow. Mavericks don't follow trends, they create them. Tim reminded me of what I learned so well in my experience during the golden era of Hip Hop, which is to create your own style. When others begin to use your style, just keep it fresh and switch it up. Be brave and bold. I know Tim was way more comfortable in the studio than in most other places that music took him. But he learned to step out and embrace millions of fans with his live performances. I imagine the most fearful performance would have been the debut of the music from TRUE at Ultra. He was nervous, but he did it anyway. While other performers had the usual lasers, pyro and girls in bikinis, Tim shared the stage with musicians and singers that helped him craft a groundbreaking album. Ignore outside opinions. Criticisms are everywhere and they are increasingly negative rather than constructive. It's important to listen to your inner voice and have confidence in the art you create. The few trusted voices in your inner circle can be helpful, but when it comes to art, always trust your gut over others. Ultimately, the integrity in a work of art lies with the creator and no one else. The most important thing I think I learned from working with Tim was to embrace collaboration. Rest in peace, Tim

Een bericht gedeeld door Aloe Blacc (@aloeblacc) op

Op 5 december vindt nog het Avicii Tribute Concert in Stockholm plaats, waarvan de opbrengst wordt ingezet voor de strijd rond mentale gezondheid. Onder meer David Guetta, Kygo en Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike zullen er spelen. Het concert was meteen hopeloos uitverkocht. 

Foto: Stones Throw Records

11 september 2019
Jeroen Poelmans