Jonas Erik Altberg (born 22 December 1984 in Halmstad), better known by his stage name Basshunter () is a Swedish singer, record producer and DJ. He started singing in a choir run by his mother. He also sang in a rock band and began producing music under the stage name "Basshunter" in 2001, after six months of using Fruity Loops.
He recorded four studio albums: LOL <(^^,)> (2006), Now You're Gone - The Album (2008), Bass Generation (2009) and Calling Time (2013). In addition to his own music, he has written and produced for a great number of artists. He also took part in the seventh series of Celebrity Big Brother, the Swedish Fångarna på fortet and the British Weakest Link in 2010.
The artist received a few awards like European Border Breakers Award, Grammis or World Music Award. He was also nominated to BT Digital Music Award, MTV Europe Music Award or Rockbjörnen. According to 2014 Extensive Music label figures, more than six million Basshunter records have been sold.
Video Basshunter
Early life
Jonas Altberg was born and raised in Halmstad, Sweden and lived with his parents, Karl Göran Altberg and Gunhild Elisabet Altberg, and younger brother, Joakim, near Tylösand beach. His mother was a teacher and head of a secondary school in Sweden. His father worked in a construction company. Basshunter first went to Kattegattgymnasiet lyceum, a technical school. However, he moved to Sturegymnasiet lyceum in Halmstad to study music. He also attended College but did not continue.
In 1998 he started singing in a choir run by his mother. It made him interested in singing. He also sang in a rock band, where he became acquainted with experimental music.
Maps Basshunter
Career
2001-06: Beginnings
Altberg began producing music under the stage name "Basshunter" in 2001, after six months of using Fruity Loops. The name emphasized his musical style.
His first album, The Bassmachine was released by Alex Music on 25 August 2004. In 2005, a remastered version of this album was released, with better sound quality and audio levels. In 2006, Basshunter released The Bass Machine and The Old Shit through his own web site. Basshunter's interest in music became greater as he progressed.
He published his music mainly through the internet (among others, to chat channels and gaming websites) and for several years he was a DJ in Swedish clubs. His EP "Welcome to Rainbow" was released on 1 April 2006. It included the single "Boten Anna", released later that May. In 2006, he moved to Malmö.
Basshunter signed to Insanity Artists Agency, which represents DJs and artists from the music, fashion, television and radio industries. He was formerly signed to IFA Agency. Henrik Uhlmann is his manager, who also organizes his concerts and is responsible for press contact.
2006-08: LOL <(^^,)>
Basshunter initially published his song "Boten Anna" in March 2006 online. Within twenty four hours, the song was downloaded 37,000 times. By 8 June 2006, the song had been downloaded over 1,000,000 times. Based on this success, Basshunter received several proposals from music labels. In April 2006, he signed with Extensive Music and Warner Music Sweden, and on 9 May 2006, "Boten Anna" was officially released as a single. The German version of song was released as a single in 2007. The song peaked at number one on the Swedish singles chart, was number 14 on the Best of All Time list, and was certified platinum. It also made it to number 1 on the Danish chart, staying on top for 14 weeks, and was certified triple platinum selling 61,000 copies. It was also certified gold in Austria.
Basshunter's debut studio album, LOL <(^^,)> was released on 28 August 2006. He worked on an album through the three and half weeks. Ali Payami helped him with three songs. A red cover version was released on 1 January 2008, with the same Swedish songs from the original album, but with lyrics or just titles translated into English. The new release also included new tracks, including the "Now You're Gone", "Russia Privjet", "The Beat", "Jingle Bells (Bass)", "Beer in the Bar" and Club Mix of "DotA". The special version of this album released in 2008 included the German version of "Boten Anna" and three music videos. The album peaking at number 5 in Sweden and reached number three on the Danish albums chart, and was certified double platinum and number 4 on the Finnish chart.
The second single "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" was released on 13 September of the same year. The single peaked at number two in Finland number six in Sweden and number seven in Norway and Denmark. It was certified gold in Denmark. Next single "Hallå där" was charted at number 51 on Swedish singles chart. The single "Vifta med händerna" is featured by Patrik & Lillen duo and peaked on Finnish chart at number seven and was charted in Sweden at number 25. Fifth single, a remake of "Jingle Bells" was released on 13 November and peaked at number nine in Norway, number 13 in Sweden. The single was charted also in Dutch and United Kingdom.
On 5 November 2007, a new version of the "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" was released under the title "DotA". It was charted in Germany's singles chart. "DotA" is also shorter name for "Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" from 2006.
2007-09: Now You're Gone - The Album
On 29 December 2007, a re-recording of "Boten Anna" entitled "Now You're Gone" was released. "Now You're Gone" was made in 2006 by Bazzheadz. Basshunter wanted to translate "Boten Anna" to English but it was impossible to translate so in 2007 he made his version of "Now You're Gone" with DJ Mental Theo's Bazzheadz participation. It was initial release for Hard2Beat Records label. The single charted at number one in the United Kingdom, where it stayed at the top for five weeks The single sold an excess 667,000 copies in the United Kingdom, and was certified platinum. Single charted also on UK Top 100 Songs of the Decade. "Now You're Gone" stayed at the top for five weeks also in Ireland and made it to number two on Swedish chart and number three in New Zealand (single was certified platinum). On French singles chart, "Now You're Gone" peaked at number six selling in excess of 92,230 copies. Single charted at number four on European Hot 100 chart. The music video of the single was the third the most viewed videos on YouTube.
Next single "Please Don't Go" was a cover of KC and the Sunshine Band song from 1979. The single which was released on 19 May 2008 reached number six on Swedish singles chart. The third single "All I Ever Wanted" was released on 7 June 2008. The single peaked at number two in the United Kingdom where he was sold excess 400,000 copies and was certified gold. It reached number one on Irish singles chart "All I Ever Wanted" was certified gold in New Zealand. and charted at number ten on European Hot 100 chart.
Now You're Gone - The Album was released on 14 July 2008. He worked on an album through the two and half week. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. Additionally, the album sold in excess of 376,017 copies in the United Kingdom, and was certified platinum. It also topped in New Zealand and was certified platinum there. Now You're Gone - The Album was charted at number two in Ireland and reached number six on European Albums chart. "Angel in the Night" single was released on 8 September 2008. The single charted at number ten on Irish chart and number fourteen on British chart. It was also charted in Sweden.
The fifth single from album, "I Miss You" a dance remake of a Westlife song was released on 14 December 2008. The single charted on British, Swedish and German chart. On 5 April 2009 single "Walk on Water" was released. On this same day, a deluxe edition of the album was also released featuring all the tracks from the original album in addition to remixes of "I Miss You" and "Angel in the Night" by Headhunters, along with a 7th Heaven remix of "Walk on Water" and a Ultra DJ's remix of "Please Don't Go". "I Can Walk on Water" has been replaced by new version under the title "Walk on Water".
2009: Bass Generation
His third studio album, Bass Generation, was released on 25 September 2009. Double Disc version include remixes of some his singles, Swedish version of "Without Stars" song and Camilla". In early September 2009, prior to the album release, the track "Numbers" was released to the public as a free download via Basshunter's official Bebo account. Bass Generation reached number two in New Zealand and was number 16 in the British and Irish charts. It sold in excess 60,000 copies and was certified silver in the United Kingdom. The single "Every Morning" from the album was released on 18 September 2009. Single reached number 13 on Swedish singles chart and 14 in New Zealand. It peaked at number 17 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. "I Promised Myself", a cover of a Nick Kamen big hit was released on 29 November 2009.
2010-present: Calling Time and The Early Bedroom Sessions
"Saturday" single was released on 5 July 2010. The single reached number 14 on New Zealand chart and was certified gold. It charted also in United Kingdom and Ireland. On 20 April 2011 the next Basshunter single named "Fest i hela huset" was released. Basshunter recorded it for the Big Brother Sverige series. The single charted at number five on the Swedish singles chart. His single titled "Northern Light" was released in August 2012 and next single, "Dream on the Dancefloor" was released on 18 November this year. First of the two planned albums, The Early Bedroom Sessions was released on 3 December 2012. It consisted of songs from The Old Shit, The Bassmachine and demo songs.
On 13 May 2013, his album Calling Time was released. In the version released in Ireland and in the United Kingdom, the track "Saturday" was replaced by "Open Your Eyes". The album charted at number 25 on the American chart, Dance/Electronic Albums. On 20 June 2013, the single "Crash & Burn" single was released. The last single from the album was the title track "Calling Time" released on 27 September.
On 26 June 2013 Basshunter announced suspension on his vocal career and concentration on DJing, production and songwriter career. He met new artists and invited them to sing on his songs. He claimed that "it's so much more interesting and different when someone else is singing in a song he has written". He made the decision after his exhaustive four performances in four days. In this same year he produced "Dance All Summer" for Nation X band.
On 20 November 2013, the single "Elinor" was released. On 25 November 2014, Basshunter announced that a new album was being worked. In 2015, he wrote "Mange kommer hem till dig" for Mange Makers band.
Remixes
Basshunter has remixed songs for a number of artists. In 2007 he released remixes of singles "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" by Verka Serduchka, "Du hast den schönsten Arsch der Welt" by Alex C. (featuring Y-ass), "Ieva's Polka (Ievan Polkka)" by Loituma, "Calcutta 2008" by Dr. Bombay, and in 2008, Alina's song "When You Leave (Numa Numa)". In 2014, Basshunter remixed "Sex Love Rock n Roll (SLR)" by Arash (featuring T-Pain).
Philanthropy
In 2008 and 2010 he appeared during the charity event Cash for Kids. He also appeared during the Musikhjälpen charity event in 2008.
In February 2012, Norton Hill School's Quantock House organized a 20-hour charity sleep-over with repeat airing of Basshunter's "Now You're Gone" non-stop collecting more than £2,000 in the event for Time is Precious and for Cancer Research UK charities. In 2015, it was repeated with the same result.
Other ventures
Television
In 2009 he was a guest of Red Bull Rivals and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Starting in 2010, Basshunter took part in the seventh series of British Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother as a housemate and finished in fourth place in the finale. He also appeared in the Swedish Fångarna på fortet and in the British Weakest Link in 2010.
Video games and films
Basshunter finished second place in a Swedish StarCraft. In 2008, he appeared during the Danmarks Bedste Gamer.
In 2009-2011, Basshunter produced seven videos. In 2011 he appeared in the film Playing Mortal Online with Arnold!, where he invited people to play the video game Mortal Online. Basshunter appeared also in Arash's music video for "Melody".
In 2009, he organised the Basshunter Artwork Competition where participants created their own designs for the Bass Generation album. In 2014, he organized the 1st Bass Challenge. Participants made their own tracks based on a samples pack. In 2017 in a Twitter poll, 92% of 57,814 voters said they would like Basshunter to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 8% supported Theresa May.
Musical style and live performances
Basshunter defines his music as eurodance. He says his music is cheerful, full of energy and very melodic, stating that it does not sound like other types of music, and adding that producers and artists display their own identity in their works. He feels he is passionate about basslines as a musician and uses them in his music. He added: "If you listen to a song on the radio, you can definitely tell whose music it is. When you listen to my music, you can tell it is Basshunter."
As influences, he mentions listening to DJ Balloon, Rocco and bands Warp Brothers and Snap!. He also listened to many underground tracks, that had never been released, or had not been widely known by the general public as well as German and Dutch techno music, reggae, funk and blues music, particularly music of Ray Charles. The first release he bought was a single "The Way" by Fastball band in the 1990s.
The first computer he used was Atari ST. After achieving commercial success, he bought software, used in producing his music. He also contemplated creating video blogs rather than just online uploads. About 95% of his music is created based on computer software such as digital audio workstation FL Studio, Logic Pro,, Logic Studio, Pro Tools, Cubase and Virtual Studio Technology plugins. He plays the guitar.
Basshunter considers his fan base very important for his career and knows that many of his non-Scandinavian fans actually prefer his songs in Swedish. Writing in English may be an advantage for reaching international audiences, but he has also said that he likes the challenge of writing songs in English.
Basshunter tried to present his live performances as improvisations. He performed at many festivals including Elämä Lapselle (2006), Hity Na Czasie twice in 2007 and 2009, Youth Beatz (2011), Allsång på Skansen (2012), Hull Pride (2012), Stoke Live (2012), Nottingham Pride (2012), Europa Plus Live (2013), Emmabodafestivalen (2014), and Nallikari Summer Party (2014).
In 2006 Basshunter performed during the Norway Cup. In 2009 he performed during the New Year's Eve party for president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev and his family. He appeared on BBC Switch Live (2008) and in 2014 performed on Sochi Medals Plaza during the awards ceremony of Winter Olympic Games. Basshunter performed at many tours like Bass Generation Tour (2009), New Zealand Tour (2009), Dance Nation Tour (2009 and 2010), Calling Time (2013), and UK/Ireland Tour 2015.
Personal life
Emely Ljungqvist was Basshunter's girlfriend. During the Celebrity Big Brother reality show he established a closer relationship with Ekaterina Ivanova. Basshunter is a fan of video games, and guitars. His mother, Gunn-Hild Altberg, died in 2016. He got married to Tina Makhia Khayatsadeh 19 January 2017. She comes from Iran and they were a couple for two years prior to marriage. Wedding took place in Dubai Polo Equestrian Club in Dubai in the presence of Arash and Margaret singers, Jan Thesleff Sweden's ambassador to the United Arab Emiarates and Jonas Siljemark chief executive officer of Warner Music Sweden.
On 10 December 2010, Basshunter was charged by Fife Constabulary over an alleged sexual assault on two female fans during a party at a nightclub in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. He was released on bail. His manager insisted at the time that the allegations were "totally untrue". Attending a hearing at the town's Sheriff court on 12 January 2011, Basshunter denied two charges of sexual assault against the two women. On 14 June 2011, he was found not guilty, with the sheriff describing the two accusers as "neither credible nor reliable" and their testimony as "riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities".
Discography
Awards and nominations
References
External links
- Official website
- Artist site at Ultra Music
Source of article : Wikipedia
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