Illenium | |
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| Born | Nicholas Daniel Miller (1990-12-26)December 26, 1990 (age 34) Downers Grove,Illinois, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2008–present |
| Spouse | Lara McWhorter (m. 2023) |
| Musical career | |
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| Website | illenium |
Musical artist | |
Nicholas Daniel "Nick" Miller (born December 26, 1990), professionally known asIllenium (stylized inall caps), is an American musician, DJ, music producer, and songwriter. He has released five studio albums, his most recent beingIllenium, released in April 2023. Illenium earned his firstGrammy nomination following the release of his fourth studio album,Fallen Embers, released in July 2021. One of Illenium's more notable albums,Ascend, was released in August 2019 onAstralwerks. The album was Illenium's first to top theBillboardDance/Electronic Albums chart and also reached his highest peak on theBillboard 200 at number 14.
A total of 57 of Illenium's songs have appeared on theBillboardHot Dance/Electronic Songs chart,[1] including two singles in 2019 that peaked at number 3: "Good Things Fall Apart" withJon Bellion and "Takeaway" withthe Chainsmokers (featuringLennon Stella). Illenium has also worked on numerous notable remixes, including those forThe Chainsmokers' "Don't Let Me Down",Taylor Swift's "Anti-Hero" andFlume's "Say It", the latter of which won the award for "Remix of the Year" at the inauguralElectronic Music Awards in 2017. He was included in theForbes 30 Under 30 music list in 2020. His music has collectively accumulated over 1 billion streams on various platforms.[2]
Nicholas Daniel Miller was born inDowners Grove,Illinois on December 26, 1990.[3][4] He lived in Seattle and France, eventually settling with his parents inSan Francisco, where he would attendSt. Ignatius College Preparatory.[5][6][7][8]
In 2008, Miller began producing electronic music. In the summer of 2012, he sawBassnectar perform atRed Rocks Amphitheatre and decided to focus more earnestly on music.[9] In 2013, Miller moved toDenver, where he continues to reside.[8][10] He also attended theUniversity of Colorado Denver.[11] During this period, he completed his first EP. He also coached lacrosse atAspen High School and delivered sushi to support himself.[8]
Illenium released his first self-titled EP in May 2013 on Prep School Recordings.[6] That year, he also released a remix ofFlorence and the Machine's "Over the Love".[12] In January 2014, he independently released his follow-up EP,Risen, which contained the song "Drop Our Hearts" featuring Sirma.[13] He also continued releasing remixes, including those forLana Del Rey's "Flipside"[14] andOdesza's "Always This Late".[15]
In 2015, Illenium released several singles, including "Chosen You",[16] "Painted White" (withSaid the Sky and Christina Soto),[17] and "I'll Be Your Reason" (featuringEden). The latter song was released onSkrillex'sNest HQ platform.[18] Illenium's remixes that year included those forGalantis' "Gold Dust",[19] Kill Paris' "Operate" featuring Royal,[20] andKaskade's "Disarm You" (featuringIlsey).[21]
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),[9] "With You" (featuringQuinn XCII), and "Fortress" (featuring Joni Fatora).[22] The album peaked at number 6 on theBillboardTop Dance/Electronic Albums chart[23] and at number 19 on theHeatseekers Albums chart.[24] An album ofAshes remixes was released in December 2016, at which time Illenium embarked on the "Ashes Tour" in select cities across the United States.[25][26]
Illenium also released two notable remixes in 2016:The Chainsmokers' "Don't Let Me Down" andFlume's "Say It" (featuringTove Lo). His remix of "Don't Let Me Down" premiered in March 2016.[27] Although the release was initially unofficial, it was later included in The Chainsmokers' official remix collection.[28] By the end of the year, the song had accumulated over 60 million streams onSoundCloud[29] and was still the most played remix on the platform in 2018 with over 101 million streams.[30] Illenium's remix of "Say It" was released in September 2016.[31] That remix would go on to win the award for "Remix of the Year" at the first Electronic Music Awards in September 2017.[32] In October 2016, Illenium also released a collaboration with Said the Sky andSeven Lions entitled "Rush Over Me" (featuringHaliene).[33] That song charted at number 50 on theBillboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[34]
In February 2017, Illenium released the song "Fractures" featuring Nevve.[35] He followed that with the collaborative single, "Feel Good", withGryffin and featuringDaya in March 2017.[36] Both songs charted on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart (at number 42 and 17, respectively).[34] In July 2017, Illenium collaborated with EDM duo,Zeds Dead, to produce the track "Where The Wild Things Are".[37] The following month, he released the single, "Crawl Outta Love" featuringAnnika Wells.[38] The song would peak at number 35 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart[34] and also won Illenium (and his writing partners) the top prize of the International Songwriting Competition the following year.[39]
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".[40] It became Illenium's first album to chart on theBillboard 200, peaking at number 106.[41] It also peaked at number 3 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[23] Beginning in November 2017,[8] 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 andDabin.[40] In December 2017, an EP of officialAwake piano covers was released,[42] and, in June 2018, an album ofAwake remixes dropped.[43]
In 2018, Illenium released three collaborations that charted on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart: "Don't Give Up on Me" withKill the Noise andMako[44] at number 35,[34] "Gold (Stupid Love)" withExcision and Shallows[45] at number 19,[34] and "God Damnit" withCall Me Karizma[46] at number 33.[34] He also released a remix ofHalsey's "Without Me" in November 2018.[47] That remix won the award for "Best Remix" at theInternational Dance Music Awards in March 2019.[48]
In January 2019, Illenium collaborated with electronic music duo,Bahari, on the track "Crashing".[49] He followed that with a March 2019 collaboration withKameron Alexander on the track "Pray".[50] On March 31, 2019, EDM duo, The Chainsmokers, debuted a collaboration with Illenium ("Takeaway") during their set at theUltra Music Festival.[51] In May 2019, Illenium released a track withJon Bellion called "Good Things Fall Apart".[52] As of September 2019, both singles maintain Illenium's highest placement on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart at number 3.[34]
Later in May 2019, Illenium and Ekali debuted a collaborative track ("Hard to Say Goodbye") during a set at theElectric Daisy Carnival inLas Vegas.[53] 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.[54] On July 24, 2019, after many months of playing at festivals, his collaboration with The Chainsmokers andLennon Stella titled "Takeaway," along with the official music video, were officially released.[55] 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.[56] 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."[57] The album became his first to reach number one on theBillboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and also reached his highest peak on theBillboard 200 at number 14.[58] In December 2019, Illenium was named in theForbes 30 Under 30 2020 Music list.[59]
In the early months of 2020, Illenium released his second collaboration withExcision called "Feel Something", featuringI 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 albumFallen Embers. In late October, Illenium released his second song on the 12Tone label called "Paper Thin" withTom DeLonge and his band,Angels & Airwaves. On Christmas Day, Illenium released "Hearts On Fire" as part of a collaboration with Dabin.
On April 25, 2021, Illenium debuted three new singles during his live performance at the Ubbi Dubbi Music Festival. An unreleased collaboration with producersSlander andKrewella titled "Lay It Down" was the first to be debuted that night.[60] A collaboration withExcision andHaliene called "In My Mind" was the next to be debuted during the performance.[61] The song's official title was revealed originally by a tweet from Haliene.[62] Finally, "Sideways" is a collaboration with fellow producer Nurko which also debuted that night and was released on May 6, 2021.[63][64]
On May 14, 2021, it was revealed via a tweet from Illenium thatFallen Embers is scheduled to release on July 16, 2021.[65]
DuringSaid 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 fromTim James (who also provided vocals for "Take You Down").[66] 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 onFallen Embers.[67][68][69]
On July 3, Illenium performed Trilogy at theAllegiant 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 four unreleased songs from the album.[70]
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".[71] A remix of "Blame Myself" produced withVirtual Riot was released as part of the deluxe version ofFallen Embers on October 22, alongside several other unreleased collaborations.[72] The album garnered Illenium his firstGrammy Award nomination, in the categoryBest Dance/Electronic Album.[73][74] It also has over 400 million streams onSpotify as of December 2021.[citation needed]
In December 2021, Illenium hosted the inaugural Ember Shores Festival inCancún,Mexico. The event was sold out months in advance and featured acts likeBig Gigantic,3lau,Cosmic Gate, and others. A second edition of the event took place in December 2022, with acts likeDillon Francis,Said the Sky, and Nurko. The third Ember Shores Festival is due to take place in December 2023.[75][76][77]
On January 17, 2023, Illenium announced his self-titled fifth studio album,Illenium, which was released on April 28[78] and reached number 42 on theBillboard 200 chart. One single off the album, "Luv Me A Little" (featuringNina Nesbitt), reached number 1 on theBillboardDance/Mix Show Airplay chart. The album also featured the single "Eyes Wide Shut," a collaboration withAvril Lavigne andTravis Barker that reached number 9 on theBillboardDance/Electronic Songs chart. Other guest appearances on the album includedAll Time Low,Teddy Swims,jxdn,Skylar Grey,Max, and others.[79][1] In support of the album, Illenium embarked on the 37-date "ILLENIUM LIVE" tour in May 2023. The tour will have stops in North America, Europe, and Australia. The North American leg of the tour will have 27 shows, 13 of which will be held at open-air venues. On June 17, Illenium played a show dubbed "Trilogy: Colorado" atDenver'sEmpower Field at Mile High, a stadium with a capacity of over 76,000. It was his largest concert to date and the largest EDM headliner event in US history.[78]
In April 2023, Illenium partnered with End Overdose, a non-profit organization that offers education on properly identifyingdrug-related overdoses and administeringnaloxone (a drug that reduces the effects of overdose). Volunteers from the organization will offer live training sessions at select stops on Illenium's 2023 tour.[80]
In 2012, Illenium suffered a heroin overdose; which he publicly talked about in 2018 and on his song "Take You Down", also released in 2018.[6] During his Ember Shores festival in Cancun, Mexico in December 2021, Illenium attracted criticism for playing a Bassnectar song as the latter was accused of sexual abuse in July 2020. Illenium subsequently issued an apology on his Twitter account.[81] He proposed to his long-time girlfriend Lara McWhorter on June 3, 2022.[82] They married on October 2, 2023.
| Organization | Year | Nominated work | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Music Awards | 2020 | Ascend | Top Dance/Electronic Album | Nominated | [83] |
| Himself | Top Dance/Electronic Artist | Nominated | |||
| "Good Things Fall Apart" | Top Dance/Electronic Song | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | Fallen Embers | Top Dance/Electronic Album | Won | [84] | |
| DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs | 2019 | Himself | None | 64th place | [85] |
| 2020 | 43rd place | ||||
| Electronic Music Awards | 2017 | "Say It" (Illenium Remix) | Remix of the Year | Won | [32] |
| Electronic Dance Music Awards | 2022 | "Hearts on Fire" (withDabin &Lights) | Dance/Electro Pop Song of The Year | Nominated | [86] |
| Music Video of The Year | Won | ||||
| 2023 | Himself | Producer Of The Year | Won | [87] | |
| "Don't Let Me Let Go" (withDillon Francis &Evan Giia) | Best Collaboration | Nominated | |||
| Illenials | Best Fan Army | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | Himself | Male Artist Of The Year | Pending | [88] | |
| ILLENIUM | Album of the Year | Pending | |||
| "See You Again" (withThe Chainsmokers &Carlie Hanson) | Best Collaboration | Pending | |||
| Illenials | Best Fan Army | Pending | |||
| "Luv Me A Little"[feat.Nina Nesbitt](BONNIE X CLYDE Remix) | Best Down Tempo Turned Up | Pending | |||
| Forbes 30 Under 30 | 2020 | Himself | 30 Under 30 | Included | [89] |
| Grammy Awards | 2022 | Fallen Embers | Best Dance/Electronic Album | Nominated | [90] |
| International Dance Music Awards | 2019 | Himself | Best Male Artist (Bass) | Won | [48] |
| "Without Me" (Illenium Remix) | Best Remix | Won | |||
| 2020 | Ascend | Best Album | Nominated | [91] | |
| Himself | Best Male Artist (Bass) | Nominated | |||
| International Songwriting Competition | 2017 | "Crawl Outta Love" | None | Won | [92] |
| "Fractures" | Electronic Dance Music | Won |
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