Experimental electronic music producer Mika Vainio has died aged 53, it has been confirmed by family and friends. No further details are yet known.
Hailing originally from Finland, Vainio formed Pan Sonic (originally known as Panasonic) in 1993, alongside Ilpo Väisänen and Sami Salo. Salo left the project in 1996. From 1994, they released music with the Sähkö label, which Vainio founded in 1993 alongside Tommi Grönlund. Vainio and Väisänen continued to work together as Pan Sonic until the present day, having released a film soundtrack last year.
Vainio also produced a vast collection of solo material under his own name as well as other guises, including most famously Ø and Philus. His work explored various aspects of techno, industrial music, noise and other experimental corners of electronic music. Through his career, he collaborated with the likes of Charlemagne Palestine, Fennesz, Merbow, Franck Vigroux and many more.
Running Sähkö alongside Tommi Grönlund, Vainio released music by the likes of Martin Rev, Miss Kittin, Atom™, Jimi Tenor and many more.
