Scouting Report: DJ/Producer Audien (original) (raw)

Audien just turned 21, but he's already got some of the most powerful figures in dance music behind him.

Nathaniel Rathbun, aka Audien, just turned 21, but he’s already got some of the most powerful figures in dance music behind him. The young DJ/producer is the marquee signing of Primary Wave Music’s new EDM-focused management division, which launched with the hiring of industry veteran Hosh Gureli (former VP of A&R for J Records/RCA) last June. Audien originals “Wayfarer” and the very hooky “Leaving You” were signed by venerable trance labels Anjunabeats (run by Above & Beyond) and Armada (run by Armin van Buuren), respectively. Thanks to AM Only agent Alan Gary, Audien spent last year opening for DJs like Porter Robinson, Felix Cartel and Hardwell, culminating with a New Year’s Eve gig warming up for Tiesto at Revel in Atlantic City, N.J. This year, he’s graduated to headliner, with a small club tour and festival main-stage sets. In addition to being a “total nerd in the studio, a perfectionist,” according to Primary Wave senior director of marketing/artist development Seth Faber, the kid has his head on straight too. “His attitude and drive are equally fantastic. As he’s starting to earn income you see him reinvesting in himself.”

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