Follow Audien on Twitter Photo Credit: twitter.com/audien
By M. A. Alvarez II
With the announcement of the 2015 Grammy Nominations, many have come to ponder the question of who is the greatest artists. The Grammy’s have contributed to music for ages, defining decades as it awarded the largest names across all music platforms, inducting many into a lifetime of fame.
This year, Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift, Megan Trainor, and Sam Smith are going head to head for “Record of the Year”. Iggy Azalea and Sam Smith are also up for Best New Artist, making their ascension towards “Record of the Year” phenomenal and at most impressive. So much more could be said if they actually won the Grammy.
However, the electronic music scene has been graced with numerous nominations, one of which I would like to personally acknowledge, especially during a time where EDM is becoming more prominent among music culture. Up to recieve the Grammy for “Best Remixed Recording” is none other than the majestic and alluring Audien. Among the many artist I love, Audien has a special place for being one of the most unique DJs/Producers to ever grace my ears, but also by being a person I find easy to relate to.
At 22, Audien has come from humble beginnings as he started producing music from an apartment in Mystic, Connecticut. In an interview where he showcased his distinct style, he described being heavily inspired to create music, being an active listener of Armin Van Buuren’s A State of Trance radio show. After listening to ASOT with his friends for sometime, he took the time to teach himself production and drew the ears of Flashover Recordings which would release his first single “Rise and Shine” in 2009.
Ever since he has been working hard touring and producing music, notably “Wayfarer”, “Iris”, “These are the Days” and “Leaving You”. His tracks have been featured across numerous radio shows, including Tiesto’s Club Life, Above and Beyond’s Trance Around the World, and even the show that inspired him, A State of Trance. His story is of a young man with a dream, one hell of an ear, and a lot of passion. He worked hard to produce popular hits such as “Cirlces” which featured Ruby Prophet and show favorite “Hindsight”. Each of these tracks offer up a sound that is uniquely Audien. Audien creates a cord driven melody which through the use of light instruments and gentle vocals, evokes a sense of optimism and grace within the mind; no matter whether your listening to big room, trance, or progressive house. He is able to transform tracks with his special touch, this style of uplifting rhythm, implementing his unique use of cords and alternating tempos into his sets.
I have had the honor to witness this genius in action twice this year, first seeing him at San Antonio’s Club Rio this past April, and again in at Houston’s Stereo Live in August. It seemed as if he couldn’t get any better the first time I saw him, but it was upon seeing him again that I realized that this guy was talented. He had that natural charisma in make something his own and overtime he has built on that. After seeing him in August, I could definitely see a change in his production since his last show in April. He put so much more into it. With the amount of new material he had created in the short time between shows, he was able to bring forth the best of the old with the best of what he new, delivering a set that genuinely wowed me. The light show had also grown and the show was more his own. Audien’s on a road to making the most out of himself, especially among an age where technology has made music so much better than it has ever been.
I’m very much excited to be seeing Audien once again this December for my third time at the Lights All Night Music Festival in Dallas, Texas. Among a festival setting, I can only imagine the type of force Audien will unleash, especially after witnessing his sets twice already this year. Hopefully his style continues to grow. It is truly unique. I’ve heard nothing like it. It is no surprise that he is up for the “Best Remixed Recording” of the year. His unique style makes his remix of Bastille’s Pompeii unlike things most people would hear from other artists. It’s popularity among DJs was also evident at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival as it was named the most played track entirely.
Audien has come from humble beginnings, a common man among dreamers, who somehow brought his music to life. Audien’s style is undoubtedly different from what you can hear mainstream and surely if he wins this Grammy, he will go on in music history. Even if he doesn’t he will always be known to me and hopefully the entire electronic music community for years to come.
The Nocturne Manifesto 