Photo: Sean Eriksson
Tim “Avicii” Bergling was working on his third album when he passed away at 28 years old on April 20, 2018.
Soon, the world will hear the release of the first single from the album he left behind – nearly an exact year after his death. In June, the full posthumous album, TIM, will be shared with all of us. Avicii stated that he believed these new songs were the best ones he has written in years.
In an interview with Dagens Nyheter, a Swedish Magazine, Tim’s father Klas Bergling discusses the impact that his death had on him, and the world of music as a whole. He shares:
“EVERYONE ASKS ME IF IT DOESN’T FEEL BETTER NOW, AFTER A YEAR. THEY DO IT WITH GOOD INTENTIONS. BUT IT’S WORSE. THERE IS ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE NOW. I MISS HIM IN A MUCH DEEPER WAY.”
Avicii’s body was discovered last year at his villa in Oman. His death came as an utter shock to the world, but even more so to the people close to him who thought he was “doing better”. We have learned about the excessive pressure from touring that Avicii faced, as well as the medical complications he dealt with as a result of alcohol and prescription medication.
Discovered at a very young age, Avicii skyrocketed into the spotlight with his incredibly unique, intricate sound. The documentary “Avicii: True Stories” provides deeper insight into the struggles he was facing and the way this stress impacted his entire well-being.
The details provided by family and friends in the interviews conducted by Dagens Nyheter provide additional insight to the emotional fragility of Avicii’s death.
The Last Songs
The magazine also interviews music producers and friends of Avicii, Kristoffer Fogelmark and Albin Nedler. Nedler says, “It was like Tim had stepped out of that dark hole… he was feeling so much better”. They discuss ‘SOS’, Avicii’s song that will release on April 10, 2019. The two of them point out the dark lyrics in the track.
“I DON’T WANT TO BE SEEN IN THIS SHAPE I’M IN, I DON’T WANT YOU TO SEE HOW DEPRESSED I’VE BEEN.”
Fogelmark and Nedler explain that previously, they thought these lyrics were feelings from the past. Now that Tim is gone, they can’t help but think, “Is this how he was really feeling? Could I have done anything?”. Avicii had been through so much. From ridiculous touring schedules to multiple hospitalizations, he bravely professed his desire to make a change for himself and his lifestyle. In May 2016, he made the decision to stop touring. In a clip captured in “Avicii: True Stories”, he says:
“IT’S SO HARD FOR ME TO EXPLAIN THAT THE STRESS IS MY LIFE. THAT IS WHAT MY BODY IS TELLING ME. AND HAS BEEN TELLING ME FOR EIGHT YEARS.”
From then on, Avicii strove to build a new life for himself. His desire for composing and producing music came back, which was what he truly loved to do. His mental and physical health dramatically improved, as did his outlook on life. Or so it seemed.
On April 17 in Oman, Avicii made notes in his phone, seeming to serve as reminders for himself. These notes say things like, “Spread positivity… bring the artists up… transfer emotion to the song”.
Three days later, Avicii is found dead on his floor.
The Tim Bergling Foundation
Klas Bergling and Anki Lidén have spearheaded the Tim Bergling Foundation, which will focus on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. In addition, they want to promote open dialogue about mental health, in opposition to heavy sedation and medication as being a primary option for recovery. This foundation, in honor of Avicii, speaks to the legacy he left behind. Klas Bergling says,
“WE HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO COMMIT SUICIDE HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY SHORTLY BEFORE THEY DO. I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. THE RELIEF WHEN YOU HAVE FOUND A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FINALLY BE HAPPY… AND THEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOSE AGAIN, THE INNER THOUGHTS. MORE THAN EVER.”
Healing
Klas Bergling says that he can find comfort in listening to Avicii’s new songs. He is proud of his song and says that the fact he [Avicii] left music which so many people want to hear, is actually soothing. Klas Bergling concludes his interview by saying:
“THE SONGS PROLONG TIM’S LIFE.”
We are all waiting in anticipation to hear the songs that Avicii left behind. His legacy will never die, nor will his bright, inspiring light. To read the complete article and interview translated from Swedish to English from Dagens Nyheter, click here.
Rest in peace, Avicii. We love you.
