Axwell

The last few years have been very kind to Axwell. Recognised globally by the media, his peers, and most importantly the paying general public for what he does best. Entertain. Be it as an artist, DJ, remixer or label mogul, the one constant is that Axwell never fails to deliver.

He is one of the few dance artists who can reach the Top 10 singles charts, and still retain a credible cache within the underground world. In political terms, he’s never lost – or forgotten – his base, and in many instances, he’s taken them forward.

His chart hits, including ‘Feel The Vibe’, ‘Watch The Sunrise’, and the No.6 UK smash, ‘I Found U’ featuring MaxC, have all begun life as underground anthems, spearing through into the mainstream via daytime radio playlists and heavyweight DJ support from across the electronic spectrum, be it Pete Tong, Zane Lowe, or Annie Mac.

When it comes to remixes, Axwell is no slouch either, with a discography of transforming pop hits into clubbing essentials reading like a who’s who of contemporary popular music: Madonna (‘Jump’), Bob Sinclar (‘I Feel For You’), NERD (‘Maybe’), Moby (‘Slipping Away’), Deep Dish (‘Dreams’), Pharrel Williams (‘Angel’), Faithless (‘Music Matters’), Stonebridge (‘Put ‘Em High’), and of course, Hard-Fi’s ‘Hard To Beat’, ‘Hometown Glory’ for Adele and most recently ‘Sweet Disposition’ by Temper Trap. “My favourite Axwell production is a remix he did of Nelly Furtado’s ‘Promiscuous’,” says Gallic house don Alan Braxe. “I have been playing it constantly for over two years - it’s a perfect example of what a strong pop song remix should be.”

In 2006? Axwell teamed up with long time friend Steve Angello, together the two retooled Bronski Beat’s ‘Smalltown Boy’ into ‘Tell Me Why’ as Supermode that peaked at number 13 in the UK. His versatility to be able to change from out-and-out disco to rock-infused indie beats, and then wordy hip-hop rhymes, helping propel him to most major label’s first port of call, in the process providing DJs with essential tools for their trade.

His collaboration with Bob Sinclar and Ron Carroll on ‘What A Wonderful World’, which also topped every dance chart imaginable (Buzz, Coolcuts, Music Week Dance Chart), is a fine case in point. While his latest release to receive the Essential Selection’s coveted award is ‘Leave The World Behind’, the collaboration with friends, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Laidback Luke and vocalist Deborah Cox. ‘Leave The World Behind’ looks set to rival the cult status of ‘Get Dumb’ - Axwell’s all-star pairing with his fellow self-named members of the Swedish House Mafia (Angello & Ingrosso) with the honouree Dutch cohort (Laidback Luke).

Teaming up with Australia’s Dirty South on the tech-etched ‘Open Your Heart’, was yet another massive club record supported by all the usual suspects. The latter also lead to Axwell signing the young buck to his label – ‘Let It Go’ (with Rudy on vocals) and subsequently the anthemic ‘in The Air’ which has been tustling with ‘LTWB’ for not only the biggest record on Axtone this year but biggest record of the year full stop.

Indeed, Axtone is one of the most in demand independent dance labels with both DJs and clubbers alike; new material is planned this Fall/Autumn from UK duo Prok & Fitch and something very special from fellow Swede Adrian Lux planned for release in the New Year.

But what of his past… Axwell started playing the drums as a nine-year-old, before progressing to computers and music software when most kids were riding bikes and using jumpers for goal posts. Completely self-taught, he leant to play keyboards and programme beats, and by the time he’d reached his late-teens was already releasing acid techno tracks made with Fasttracker2 under the equally forgettable pseudonym Quazar (of Sanxion).

But house music was fast becoming the newly dubbed Axwell’s first love, and it wouldn’t be long before others noticed this rising talent. “Axwell has found the perfect balance between underground and accessible, not to mention the sound quality, which makes him stand out,” says StoneBridge, his fellow countryman whose label released his debut, ‘Jazz Player EP’ in 1999. A series of Latin-infused singles under the guises of Mambana (with Afro Medusa singer Isabel Fructuoso) and then Jetlag (with vocalist Noel McKoy and co-producer Brian Tappert), followed and a fan base lead by Louie Vega, Danny Rampling and Ben Watt steady grew. Inspired by a millennium, constantly evolving producer morphed his sound an edgier club direction built on a house foundation and live musicianship valves. Success quickly followed: the catalyst his pairing with Robbie Rivera and singer Suzan Brittan on ‘Burning’, a track that hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Chart.

In 2009 Axwell has once again gone from strength to strength, outdoing himself both on his own as DJ/producer and as part of the now legendary Swedish House Mafia including a breathtaking gig at the Stad de France to 40,000 people on France day alongside Steve Angello & Sebastien Ingrosso, the SHM took on Monday Night’s at Pacha, Ibiza with their ‘Dark Forest’ extravaganza and were lauded by the critics as the breakthrough Ibiza party of the season with a further 2 ‘Dark Forest’ events selling out at London’s Brixton Academy – the last Swedish House Mafia events for 2009.
In the studio their collaboration alongside Laidback Luke & Deborah Cox ‘Leave The World Behind’ and released on Axtone was launched at WMC this year. It’s gone onto achieve Essential New Tune status, Number 1 on Beatport whilst of course being the record for the SHM this year.
As ever favouring the less is more approach, Axwell has remixed just 2 tracks this year, the 1st crafting TV Rock’s ‘In The Air’ into the future classic it now is, since going on to been licensed to Ministry Of Sound’s Data Records – the 2nd vintage Axwell taking Australian rockers Temper Trap’s ‘Sweet Dispositon’ and creating a monster dancefloor smash which has gained plaudits from everyone from Pete Tong to Tiesto.
Last year saw Axwell break into the top Top 20 in the DJ Mag Top 100 for the 1st time with news just in has confirmed that in 2009 Axwell has risen further still up the charts to Number 14, his highest position yet.
With an Australian tour set for the final months of 2009, Axwell is currently busy in the studio working on releases for 2010 and his much talked about debut album…

Keep an eye out on axwell.co.uk etc for more news…