Pan Sonic’s Mika Vainio Dead at 53
By Matthew Strauss.
Mika Vainio of experimental electronic duo Pan Sonic has died, according to Rumba and confirmed by his representatives. He was 53. A cause of death has not yet been announced. Vainio formed Pan Sonic (originally known as Panasonic) with Ilpo Väisänen in Finland in 1993. Their full-length debut, Vakio, came out in 1995; it featured original member Sami Salo, who eventually left the group. In 1998, they collaborated with Suicide’s Alan Vega for Endless (released as Vainio / Väisänen / Vega). Last year, the duo shared their score for the film Atomin paluu. In addition to his work with Pan Sonic, Vainio put out many solo records under his own name, as well as under the monikers Ø and Philus. Below, see artist’s reactions to Vainio’s death.
Read about Pan Sonic in “The 50 Best IDM Albums of All Time.”
Thank You Mika Vainio
— N (@nicolas___jaar) April 13, 2017
i am utterly heartbroken. one of my biggest musical crushes is gone. RIP MIKA VAINIO. i am so thankful i got to meet you & see you play.
— ZOLA JESUS (@ZOLAJESUS) April 13, 2017
even though he is gone mika will never stop inspiring https://t.co/zEDD0094ho
— ZOLA JESUS (@ZOLAJESUS) April 13, 2017
Mika Vainio the masterhttps://t.co/d7kXBeqJ5a
— Holly Herndon (@hollyherndon) April 13, 2017
very sad news, rip mika vainio. made some very important, enduring work that will be around and inspiring people for many years to come
— Cloud Nothings (@cloudnothings) April 13, 2017
This story originally appeared on Pitchfork.
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