Illenium

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Illenium
ILLENIUM.jpg
Illenium in 2018
Born
Nicholas D. Miller

(1990-12-26) December 26, 1990 (age 30)
San Francisco , California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Musician
  • DJ
  • record producer
Years active2013–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Labels
  • 12 Tone Music
  • Astralwerks
  • Kasaya
  • The EDM Network
  • Seeking Blue
  • Prep School Recordings
  • Gravitas Recordings
  • Armada Music
  • OWSLA
  • Uplink Audio
  • Artist Intelligence Agency
Associated acts
Websiteillenium.com

Nicholas D. Miller (born December 26, 1990), known professionally as Illenium (stylized in all caps), is an American musician, DJ, and record producer. He has released four studio albums, his most recent being Fallen Embers, released in July 2021. One of Illenium's more notable albums, Ascend, was released in August 2019 on Astralwerks. The album was Illenium's first to top the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart and also reached his highest peak on the Billboard 200 at number 14.

Several of Illenium's songs have appeared on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, including two singles in 2019 that peaked at number 3: "Good Things Fall Apart" with Jon Bellion and "Takeaway" with the Chainsmokers (featuring Lennon Stella). Illenium has also worked on numerous notable remixes, including those for the Chainsmokers' "Don't Let Me Down" and Flume's "Say It", the latter of which won the award for "Remix of the Year" at the inaugural Electronic Music Awards in 2017. He was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 music list in 2020.[1]

Early life and education[]

Nicholas D. Miller was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States on December 26, 1990. He was raised in San Francisco.[2][3][4]

In 2008, Miller began producing electronic music. In the summer of 2012, he saw Bassnectar perform at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and decided to focus more earnestly on music.[5] That year, he also suffered a heroin overdose; a fact he shared with his fans in 2018.[6] The experience was the inspiration for his 2018 song, "Take You Down".[2] In 2013, Miller moved to Denver, where he continues to reside.[4][7] From 2013 to 2014, he was enrolled in the Music & Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) Department at the University of Colorado Denver. His music emphasis was Recording Arts and he attended classes for two years. He made many connections in the Denver music scene while taking courses in music business, performance, and recording arts. During this period he completed his first EP. He also coached lacrosse and delivered sushi to support himself.[4]

Career[]

2013–2015: Early career, two EPs, and collaborations[]

Illenium released his first self-titled EP in May 2013 on Prep School Recordings.[2] That year, he also released a remix of Florence and the Machine's "Over the Love".[8] In January 2014, he independently released his follow-up EP, Risen, which contained the song "Drop Our Hearts" featuring Sirma.[9] He also continued releasing remixes, including those for Lana Del Rey's "Flipside"[10] and Odesza's "Always This Late".[11]

In 2015, Illenium released several singles, including "Chosen You",[12] "Painted White" (with Said the Sky and Christina Soto),[13] and "I'll Be Your Reason" (featuring Eden). The latter song was released on Skrillex's Nest HQ platform.[14] Illenium's remixes that year included those for Galantis' "Gold Dust",[15] Kill Paris' "Operate" featuring Royal,[16] and Kaskade's "Disarm You" (featuring Ilsey).[17]

2016: Ashes and notable remixes[]

In February 2016, Illenium released his debut studio album, Ashes, as a free download on Seeking Blue Records and his own recently established imprint, Kasaya Records. The album featured 10 songs (12 on the bonus version) including "Reverie" (featuring King Deco),[5] "With You" (featuring Quinn XCII), and "Fortress" (featuring Joni Fatora).[18] The album peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart[19] and at number 19 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[20] An album of Ashes remixes was released in December 2016, at which time Illenium embarked on the "Ashes Tour" in select cities across the United States.[21][22]

Illenium also released two notable remixes in 2016: The Chainsmokers' "Don't Let Me Down" and Flume's "Say It" (featuring Tove Lo). His remix of "Don't Let Me Down" premiered in March 2016.[23] Although the release was initially unofficial, it was later included in The Chainsmokers' official remix collection.[24] By the end of the year, the song had accumulated over 60 million streams on SoundCloud[25] and was still the most played remix on the platform in 2018 with over 101 million streams.[26] Illenium's remix of "Say It" was released in September 2016.[27] That remix would go on to win the award for "Remix of the Year" at the first Electronic Music Awards in September 2017.[28] In October 2016, Illenium also released a collaboration with Said the Sky and Seven Lions entitled "Rush Over Me" (featuring Haliene).[29] That song charted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[30]

2017–2018: Awake and numerous appearances on Billboard charts[]

In February 2017, Illenium released the song "Fractures" featuring Nevve.[31] He followed that with the collaborative single, "Feel Good", with Gryffin and featuring Daya in March 2017.[32] Both songs charted on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart (at number 42 and 17, respectively).[30] In July 2017, Illenium collaborated with EDM duo, Zeds Dead, to produce the track "Where The Wild Things Are".[33] The following month, he released the single, "Crawl Outta Love" featuring Annika Wells.[34] The song would peak at number 35 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart[30] and also won Illenium (and his writing partners) the top prize of the International Songwriting Competition the following year.[35]

In September 2017, Illenium released his sophomore album, Awake, on Seeking Blue Records and Kasaya Records. The album featured 13 tracks including the aforementioned "Fractures", "Feel Good", and "Crawl Outta Love".[36] It became Illenium's first album to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 106.[37] It also peaked at number 3 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[19] Beginning in November 2017,[4] Illenium embarked on the "Awake Tour" across the country in support of the album. Throughout the tour, he was joined on stage by frequent collaborators Said the Sky and Dabin.[36] In December 2017, an EP of official Awake piano covers was released,[38] and, in June 2018, an album of Awake remixes dropped.[39]

In 2018, Illenium released three collaborations that charted on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart: "Don't Give Up on Me" with Kill the Noise and Mako[40] at number 35,[30] "Gold (Stupid Love)" with Excision and Shallows[41] at number 19,[30] and "God Damnit" with Call Me Karizma[42] at number 33.[30] He also released a remix of Halsey's "Without Me" in November 2018.[43] That remix won the award for "Best Remix" at the International Dance Music Awards in March 2019.[44]

2019: Continued collaborations and Ascend[]

In January 2019, Illenium collaborated with electronic music duo, Bahari, on the track "Crashing".[45] He followed that with a March 2019 collaboration with Kameron Alexander on the track "Pray".[46] On March 31, 2019, EDM duo, The Chainsmokers, debuted a collaboration with Illenium ("Takeaway") during their set at the Ultra Music Festival.[47] In May 2019, Illenium released a track with Jon Bellion called "Good Things Fall Apart".[48] As of September 2019, both singles maintain Illenium's highest placement on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart at number 3.[30]

Later in May 2019, Illenium and Ekali debuted a collaborative track ("Hard to Say Goodbye") during a set at the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.[49] In June 2019, Illenium announced that his upcoming album, Ascend, would be released on August 16 through Astralwerks. He also announced a 30-city North American tour in support of the album.[50] On July 24, 2019, after many months of playing at festivals, his collaboration with The Chainsmokers and Lennon Stella titled "Takeaway," along with the official music video, were officially released.[51] The video garnered over 6 million views in the first 3 days after its release. "Takeaway" also quickly entered the top 10 on the US iTunes Sales Chart.[52] On August 16, 2019, Illenium released his third studio album, Ascend, on Astralwerks. The album consists of 17 tracks, including the aforementioned "Take You Down", "Crashing," "Pray," "Good Things Fall Apart," and "Takeaway."[53] The album became his first to reach number one on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and also reached his highest peak on the Billboard 200 at number 14.[54] In December 2019, Illenium was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 2020 Music list.[1]

2020-2021: "Feel Something", "Trilogy" and Fallen Embers[]

In the early months of 2020, Illenium released his second collaboration with Excision called "Feel Something", featuring I Prevail.

In late August, Illenium announced his debut at a new music label, 12Tone, and released his first single with the label a few weeks later, titled "Nightlight", the lead single from his upcoming fourth studio album Fallen Embers. In late October, Illenium released his second song on the 12Tone label called "Paper Thin" with Tom DeLonge of Angels & Airwaves. On Christmas Day, Illenium released "Hearts On Fire" as part of a collaboration with .

Illenium continued to release singles in early 2021. On March 12, 2021, he released "First Time" with Iann Dior.

On April 25, 2021, Illenium debuted three new singles during his live performance at the Ubbi Dubbi Music Festival. An unreleased collaboration with producers Slander and Krewella titled "Lay It Down" was the first to be debuted that night.[55] A collaboration with Excision and HALIENE called "In My Mind" was the next to be debuted during the performance.[56] The song's official title was revealed originally by a tweet from HALIENE.[57] Finally, "Sideways" is a collaboration with fellow producer Nurko which also debuted that night and was released on May 6, 2021.[58][59]

On May 14, 2021, it was revealed via a tweet from Illenium that Fallen Embers is scheduled to release on July 16, 2021.[60]

During Said the Sky's set on May 29, 2021, at the Sunset Music Festival, Trevor Christensen debuted a new collaboration between him and Illenium called "Crazy Times" with vocals from Tim James (who also provided vocals for "Take You Down").[61] It was later confirmed by Illenium on Twitter that the song was the final product of a live stream he and Trevor conducted in 2020, and that it would appear on Fallen Embers.[62][63][64]

On July 2, Illenium released the final single before the release of Fallen Embers. The single is called “Heavenly Side” featuring Matt Maeson.

On July 3, Illenium performed Trilogy at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as the venue's inaugural music concert, and online live with sets from his first three primary albums - Ashes, Awake, Ascend, and a preview of his fourth album, Fallen Embers, which he played 4 unreleased songs from the album, “Blame Myself”, “Blame Myself (Illenium and Virtual Riot remix)”, “Brave Soul” and “Crazy Times”.[65]

On July 16, Illenium released his fourth album, Fallen Embers, with 14 songs, including the aforementioned singles “Nightlight”, “Paper Thin”, “Hearts On Fire”, “First Time”, “Sideways”, “Heavenly Side”, the previewed songs at Ubbi Dubbi “In My Mind” with Excision and “Lay It Down” with Krewella and Slander, “Crazy Times” with Said The Sky and Rock Mafia, previewed at Sunset Music Festival, and “Blame Myself” and “Brave Soul” which were previewed at Trilogy. The aforementioned “Blame Myself (Illenium & Virtual Riot Remix)” remains unreleased.

Discography[]

Main article: Illenium discography

Tours[]

  • "Ashes Tour" (2016–2017)[21][22]
  • "Awake Tour" (2017–2018)[36]
  • "Ascend Tour" (2019-2020)[50]
  • "Fallen Embers Tour" (2021)

Awards and nominations[]

Billboard Music Awards[]

Year Category Nominee / work Result Ref.
2020 Top Dance/Electronic Artist Illenium Nominated [66]
Top Dance/Electronic Album Ascend Nominated
Top Dance/Electronic Song Illenium & Jon Bellion - "Good Things Fall Apart" Nominated

DJ Magazine top 100 DJs[]

Year Position Notes Ref.
2019 64 New Entry [67]
2020 43 Up 21

Electronic Music Awards[]

Year Category Work Result Ref.
2017 Remix of the Year Flume - "Say It" featuring Tove Lo (Illenium Remix) Won [28]

International Dance Music Awards[]

Year Category Nominee / work Result Ref.
2019 Best Remix Halsey - "Without Me" (Illenium Remix) Won [44]
Best Male Artist (Bass) Illenium Won
2020 Best Album Ascend Nominated [68][69]
[70]
Best Male Artist (Bass) Illenium Nominated

International Songwriting Competition[]

Year Category Nominees Result Ref.
2018 Grand Prize Illenium, Annika Wells, Kate Morgan, Michael Biancaniello for "Crawl Outta Love" Won [35][71]
[72]
EDM (Electronic Dance Music) Illenium, Keeley Bumford, William Rappaport, Henri Lanz for "Fractures" Won

References[]

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  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Gaita, Paul (9 August 2018). "EDM Star Illenium Pens Message About Heroin Addiction Struggles". The Fix. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  3. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Illenium | Biography and History". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Coobs, Terrisa (7 November 2017). "Denver Bass Producer Illenium's Rise to 1STBANK Center Headliner". Westword. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Sundius, Michael (12 February 2016). "Illenium Premieres 'Reverie,' Shares Insight On Debut Album 'Ashes': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Illenium's Innate Ability To Connect With Fans Did Not Come Easy". Popspoken. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  7. ^ Borba, Ryan (14 June 2019). "Hotstar: Illenium 'Ascends' To Arenas". Pollstar. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  8. ^ Porter, Graham (27 April 2013). "Florence + The Machine – Over The Love (Illenium Remix)". Your Music Radar. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  9. ^ Basile, Salvatore (14 January 2014). "Introducing ILLENIUM – Risen EP". YourEDM. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  10. ^ Meadow, Matthew (25 June 2014). "Lana Del Rey – Flipside (Illenium Remix)". YourEDM. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  11. ^ Meadow, Matthew (1 December 2014). "Odesza – Always This Late (Illenium Remix)". YourEDM. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
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  52. ^ "Why Don't We's "I Still Do," Chainsmokers, Illenium & Lennon Stella's "Takeaway" Reach Top 10 On US iTunes Sales Chart". Headline Planet. July 26, 2019.
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  54. ^ Murray, Gordon (29 August 2019). "Illenium 'Ascends' to His First No. 1 On the Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  55. ^ "- YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  56. ^ "ILLENIUM & EXCISION ft. HALIENE - In My Mind (Unreleased)" – via www.youtube.com.
  57. ^ HALIENE [@HALIENE] (15 May 2021). "IN MY MIND