22 year old Nate Rathbun, better known as Audien, has taken the EDM world by storm this past year. Everywhere people look it seems that the Connecticut native is releasing another chart topping hit off of another big name label. This past Friday, Audien played an explosive show at the uniquely beautiful, Maya Day + Night Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, and thanks to Maya and Steve Levine Entertainment EDM Sauce was able to chat with Audien about his meteoric rise to fame this past year. This past August, Audien had the privilege of opening up the entire Electric Zoo festival with the first spot on the main stage. And this March, at WMC, Audien played his first Ultra Music Festival.
It was truly a thrill. First of all, you have the beautiful Miami environment … what’s not to love? Ultra is on point with their production, organization, and hospitality. The fans were amazing and reactive … they know how to have a proper good time. Right before I went on there was a storm brewing, and the possibility existed that my set would be delayed. Fortunately the weather held up and I got to play against some ominous clouds that provided a very dope, eerie backdrop.
Audien's Ultra set was incredibly diverse, and was without a doubt a representation of himself as an artist. Audien has achieved massive success across a wide spectrum of dance music. His songs and remixes have been played out by the likes of Above & Beyond and Tiesto. He continues to diversify his musical portfolio by taking chances at styles that are new and exciting. Audien's sound is probably most associated with progressive tunes like ‘Wayfarer' or his sing along inducing release, ‘Leaving You'. That being said, he has also shown that he can bring down the house with big room anthems like his chart topping hit off of Spinnin, ‘Elysium'.
At the end of the day I love melodic, uplifting music. Having said that, I never know what will inspire me, and will always be willing to take the risk and explore sounds & vibes that interest me.
Audien's first release was ‘Rise & Shine' on Ferry Corsten's Flashover Recordings in 2009. Ever since then, the millennial producer has been working non-stop. His hard work has payed off with some of the most original and sonically intriguing songs of the past few years. It takes tremendous talent to succeed in several different styles of dance music, something that Audien has accomplished within his first few years as a producer. Many people cannot match a work ethic such as this, and opt to hire a ghost producer. This is a controversial trend that has become more popular in the past few years. Audien assures that while production is hard work, it would make no sense for him to live the life that he does if he didn't love it.
I don’t get the ghost production thing. It’s not for me. I love making music. That’s the whole point.
2013 was a breakout year for Audien. While he achieved success in previous years, his releases in 2013 have made him a household name with EDM fans. He has released tracks through Anjunabeats, Armada, and Spinnin, charted several songs on Beatport, and played the main stages of festivals all over the world all in one calendar year. Needless to say, it was a whirl-wind year for the DJ but one that came with a lot of positive experience and changes.
I’d say the biggest change has been that having some successful releases in different lanes has widened and broadened my audience. I love this … it's so great to be in constant dialogue with the people that listen to my music … they inspire me & challenge me … the more the merrier. That, and I have acquired a shit ton of airline miles.
Audien says that a full artist album is not currently in the works but that one will be soon. Of course, he is already well versed with what it takes to put together a release. Recently, several DJs like Dillon Francis and Audien's label-mate, Mat Zo, have recently expressed difficulty with their music not being released in a timely fashion. Having released off of some of the biggest labels in the business, Audien can sympathize with their frustrations while also displaying humility that is uncharacteristic of an individual his age.
Yeah sometimes the runway is short, and sometimes it’s long which can be frustrating. I get it though … a label has to go through a lot to tee up a release … meta-data, coding, artwork, timing a path at digital retail that allows for the best featured placements, etc. The die-hards always seem to find a way to get it beforehand though ha!
Audien has only just begun to explore his possibilities in production. It is exciting to think of what style he will explore next. Without a conscience effort he is constantly making new fans while keeping old ones happy, a balancing act that not many producers are capable of successfully achieving. With his smash hit remix of Bastille's, ‘Pompeii' and a new release off of Anjunabeats, Audien has started off 2014 with a bang. Lucky for his legions of fans there is plenty more in the works for the year from 22 year old phenom. If his set this past Friday at Maya Day + Night Club was any indicator of whats to come…the future looks very, very bright.
I have a remix about to drop on Spinnin’ for R3hab, Nervo, & Ummet Ozcan’s Revolution, and an original track called Hindsight about to drop on Anjunabeats. It was a special moment to see Above & Beyond open their Ultra set with Hindsight.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT MAYA DAY + NIGHT CLUB:
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26 April 2014
DADA LIFE
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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27 April 2014
POLITIK
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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02 May 2014
OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY FOR THE WANTED AT COMERICA THEATRE
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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03 May 2014
TIËSTO
DAY + 11:00AM
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04 May 2014
BRODY JENNER
DAY + 11:00AM
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04 May 2014
RUCKUS
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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09 May 2014
ALVIN RISK
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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16 May 2014
3LAU
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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17 May 2014
NERVO
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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18 May 2014
DEORRO
DAY + 11:00AM
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23 May 2014
LIL JON
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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25 May 2014
SHOWTEK
DAY + 11:00AM
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13 Jun 2014
FERRY CORSTEN
NIGHT + 9:00PM
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