DJ and electronic music producer Nathaniel “Nate” Rathbun, better known by his stage name Audien, recently spent some time in New York City with a packed schedule full of interviews, fan events, and two performances, including his Progressive House Never Died (PHND) headline show at Pier 17, part of his 2026 tour that will continue through October 24.
PHND, which is arguably what Audien is best known for, has become a cultural movement since its inception at Miami Music Week in 2022. The annual event series unites fans all over the world, celebrating the nostalgia and revival of the “festival house sound” of the 2010s that evolved from the dark, gritty underground subculture it was once known for in the ’80s and ’90s to the emotional, euphoric escapism of the open-air festival circuit that exploded during that era.
For Audien, connecting to his audience and creating a community of like-minded fans through the emotion he brings to his music is of the utmost priority. It’s something he perhaps learned as a 16-year-old gamer in the small seaport town of Mystic, Connecticut, back in 2008.
He, along with his older brother, spent a lot of time playing PC and arcade games such as World of Warcraft and Counter-Strike while being raised by their jazz-aficionado mother and alternative-and-metal-loving guitarist father.
When they weren’t playing, Rathbun watched YouTube game highlight compilation videos edited over EDM music, called 1.6 frag movies. The songs used a mix of happy hardcore and trance, inspiring him to start producing his own music on his laptop. Teaching himself music production in his bedroom, he began developing his uplifting, piano-driven signature style of trance and house.
A year later, legendary Dutch DJ and producer Ferry Corsten discovered Rathbun’s homemade music and signed the 17-year-old to his label, Flashover Recordings. Corsten distributed his debut single, “Rise & Shine,” launching the teen’s career.
His stage name, Audien, wasn’t his own invention. Rather, it’s a nickname his friends gave him because they thought it sounded cool. While at first he adopted it as a joke, the name stuck.
By 2014, Audien was gaining popularity in the club scene. When he released his progressive house remix of “Pompeii” by Bastille in early 2014, it became a festival anthem, skyrocketing him to fame globally, and earning him a Grammy nomination.
During his 17-year career, Audien has released two albums, 2019’s Escapism and First Love in 2025. Among his most successful singles are 2015’s country collaboration, “Something Better” featuring Lady A, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and “One Last Dance” featuring Xira, which was a huge fan hit in 2022, with more than 38 million streams on Spotify.
His latest single, “High Hopes,” was released July 10, followed by his High Hopes (Remixes) EP later that month, and his live acoustic piano version with Shaun Farrugia on August 17.
“High Hopes is everything I love about progressive house,” says Audien. “It has that feeling of hope, connection, and emotion that made me fall in love with dance music in the first place. Working with Shaun was incredible, and the moment this song came together I knew it was something special.”
Earlier this year, Audien opened for Illenium at the 17,500-seat Las Vegas Sphere. The show sold out, marking a milestone in a career that helped remind fans—and redefine—what EDM can be.
Tickets, information, and more locations for Audien’s global tour can be found on Audien’s website.
Here’s a day in the life of…Audien.
Where are you? Lost in dreams
Time I woke up 8:00 a.m.
Every day starts with A long walk
Breakfast consists of Acai bowl
To get going, I always listen to Yacht rock
I don’t feel dressed without Some sort of black hat
Before I start working I must Clear my head
Currently working on A lot of random but awesome songs
But I’d really love to be Scoring a movie
I don’t know how anyone ever Gets tired of a great melody
If I had to play one album on repeat, it would be Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
The perfect midday consists of Checking Redfin
To help get through the day Go on long walks
Not a day goes by without speaking to Eric, my manager
My daydreams consist of 911 GT3 Touring, pain to sample
I’ll always fight for What’s right
Currently in love with Staying true to my original sound
Hoping to make time to watch “Your Friends & Neighbors”
To help get through the night Tea
When I think about tomorrow, I feel Hopeful