Audien’s Daily Adventure
The journey of a modern music icon often begins not in a massive studio, but in a quiet bedroom, fueled by imagination and a love for a perfect melody. Nathaniel “Nate” Rathbun, known to the world as Audien, is a prime example of how a passion nurtured in youth can blossom into a global cultural movement.
Audien’s music sits squarely within the vibrant Progressive House scene, a genre he has masterfully turned into a source of emotional connection and euphoric escapism. This connection is the heartbeat of his work, driving him to create tracks that feel less like beats and more like genuine emotional journeys.
But the path to stardom wasn’t immediately obvious. Rathbun’s musical foundation was built long before fame arrived. As a teenager in Mystic, Connecticut, he found his creative footing immersed in the worlds of World of Warcraft and Counter-Strike, but it was the soundtrack he found online that truly changed everything. He devoured YouTube highlight compilations, often edited over EDM tracks, which introduced him to the raw energy of happy hardcore and trance.
With a laptop as his studio, Audien taught himself music production, developing his signature style—uplifting, piano-driven trance and house—right in his room. This self-directed learning was eventually noticed by the music world. In a pivotal moment, legendary Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten discovered Rathbun’s homemade tracks and signed him to his label, Flashover Recordings, launching his career with the debut single, “Rise & Shine.”
His stage name, Audien, was a nickname bestowed by friends, a simple moniker that stuck and became synonymous with his unique sound. The real explosion of his fame came in 2014 when he released his progressive house remix of Bastille’s “Pompeii.” This track quickly transformed into a massive festival anthem, catapulting him onto the global stage and earning him a Grammy nomination.
Over his seventeen-year career, Audien has released compelling work, including the albums Escapism and First Love. His singles have resonated deeply, exemplified by the country collaboration “Something Better” featuring Lady A, which hit number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and the fan-favorite “One Last Dance” featuring Xira, which amassed over 38 million streams on Spotify.
Most recently, Audien has continued to push boundaries, releasing his latest single “High Hopes” and the accompanying High Hopes (Remixes) EP. He sums up his philosophy beautifully: “High Hopes is everything I love about progressive house. It has that feeling of hope, connection, and emotion that made me fall in love with dance music in the first place.”
The impact of his music is undeniable, as demonstrated by his recent high-profile performances, including opening for Illenium at the sold-out Las Vegas Sphere. Audien’s story is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful music often springs from the deepest, most authentic human experience—a truly inspiring soundtrack to the journey of hope and connection.
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