2015 Grammy Nominations Special Feature: Audien

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.

 

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ACL 2014: The Calling of Generations

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at the Honda Stage

By M. A. Alvarez II

Taking place annually in October, The Austin City Limits music festival can be considered one of the most highly anticipated festivals in the South, and by far to this day, it is my favorite music festival of all time. I have always loved music, but never fully appreciated it until I experienced it live for the first time at ACL in 2012. Now it is an on-going tradition of mine, to return here in October, to Zilker Park, to bask in and enjoy the sound of live music played by some of the largest names in music, from now and then, the young and the old. ACL unifies generations of people, music, and art; all to celebrate the joy it brings into our lives.

This being my third year, I already knew what to expect from the days I would spend in Austin over the course of ACL’s second weekend. Immediately upon entering the main threshold Saturday, I made my way to the bar for a refreshment and found the Honda Stage to catch part of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue’s spiffy jazz performance.

ACL had drawn quite the crowd. Selling out completely for its second weekend, the park was filled with people. Rim to rim. Into Shorty’s performance, I was able to find my friend Tanner among the masses beneath the Honda Stage. Quickly, he directed me across the park to the Samsung Galaxy stage where the famed Rebelution was playing. Yes! As a fan of Reggae rock and Rebelution being one of my favorite bands of the genre along side Iration and the Expendables, I fed off the intense excitement Tanner put off as he and his brother ran towards the stage.

Rebelution delivers a solid performance, contributing to ACL with their mellow Reggae sound.

Despite the multitudes of people that surrounded us, we were able to ease our way into the crowd that Rebelution brought in with their mellow, laid-back, carefree sound. ACL was in full motion. I stared into the sky which was clouded due to the heavy rains earlier that morning. It didn’t matter though. Rain or shine, I was there; there like always. For the music, just as everyone was. It was hard not to feel the music as it filled the air.

Shortly after, I went with Tanner to meet his father who made set homage a distance away from the Galaxy Stage, some what midway between there and the RetailMeNot Stage. Tanner’s father, Mr. Howell, as I called him, was an ACL veteran, this year being his ninth. As a passionate and avid appreciator of music, Mr. Howell had created a tradition with his sons, instilling his love for music into them. This made me think of, being a lover of music myself, the dominion music held within our society. Music through the ages has been used as a powerful tool of self-expression. It has defined and influenced culture through the decades, attributing to history itself. I thought there among the excitement of it all that, ACL each year, in itself, was history. It told the story of the greatest names in music that year, but not without remembering the music before it, as it catered not only to the youth of the current generations, but the generations before it as well.

Texas State Flag among the crowd during Iggy Azalea’s performance at RetailMeNot Stage.

After a bit of socializing, the next stop on my list of must sees was the current hip hop sensation, Iggy Azalea. I’ve known about Iggy for a long time. I remember being first introduced to her music in high school, while I was still living in Houston years ago. Immediately upon listening to her songs “Pussy” and “Bounce”, as well as hearing word of her signing with rapper T.I.’s label, I knew she would soon rise to the top. It was no surprise to me to see her, join the ensemble of the already epic line-up. Her crowd was tight, and many could say with her popularity, she should of played on a larger stage, but her performance was phenomenal. Using a flight of metal stairs, lights, and a chorus of talented back-up singers and dancers, Iggy showcased her talent as she played familiar favorites along with her newest hits “Fancy” and “Black Widow”.

It seemed ACL had a little bit of something for everyone. From jazz, to reggae and even hip hop. The second day, delivered a broad spectrum of genres. Electronic DJs Major Lazer and Skrillex contributed to the dance music scenes with their light shows, using state of the art special effects to burn into memory the rhythmic beats of their sets. It came as a huge surprise when electronic dance star Diplo, made a special appearance along side Major Lazer providing extra hype to the crowd as the duo lead us into the night. Diplo’s unforgettable stunt within the gigantic hamster ball was a definitely a sight to see; one that I undoubtedly will remember for the rest of my life. Skrillex’s set was like a quake of thunder. The bass shook the terrain as “Cinema” played. Festival-goers danced outside a monumental crowd of jumpers who eagerly tried to get closer to the stage. His set would end with a tribute to Star Wars and leave everyone excited for more.

The festival became a glimmering gem as lights began to fill the sky. My favorite part of ACL had always been the nights there. As I looked up into the clouded sky, I watched dozens of spotlights hover over me, as if the park itself was trying to proclaim to the heavens the glory of what music attributed to life. I was at most awed, even as we walked towards the closing act that day at the Samsung Galaxy Stage. Eminem, a hip hop legend, a person I have known for the majority of my life through his music stood right before me; a mere distance from where I stood.

This is only the story of one day. The second day of ACL 2014. It would only be a precursor to what was to come the following day when my favorites Zedd and Calvin Harris would take their stages and give it their all to entertain those who appreciated their music so much. I was so blessed to return to Zilker Park this year. All I could think about at the end of my first day back, was of what I would get myself into the next day. The festival had been going on since Friday and it still wasn’t over. I would be there til the very end. Among the lights, the masses of people, and the waves of the best music the generations had to offer.

The ACL Music Festival beneath a clouded skyline.