audio: Bringing Peace, Love, and Energy to Chicago’s Rave Scene
Out of Chicago comes an artist determined to shift the energy of the rave scene in a different direction. Known simply as audio, the rising DJ, producer, and performer Ethan Schwerdlin aka audio is building a name rooted in positivity, passion, and pure dedication to music culture.
How it all started
Raised around sound systems and audio equipment through his father’s company, Chrome Audio, he grew up surrounded by the technical and creative side of music. What started as inspiration eventually became purpose. Today, audio continues that legacy through his own sound, blending emotion, energy, and identity into every performance and production.
“I’m extremely driven and highly motivated to spread peace and love in the Chicago rave scene,” he explains. “I wanted to change the game and bring positivity to a scene that thrives on negativity.”
That mindset has become the foundation of everything he creates.
Long before stepping behind DJ decks, audio was already developing his musicianship. Drawn to the guitar from a young age, he has now been playing for over 15 years. Over time, that musical background evolved into electronic production, where he’s spent the last five years crafting his sound and experimenting with the harder side of EDM. After recently entering the DJ world, he’s already begun making noise with high-energy performances and growing recognition throughout his local scene.
memorable accomplishments
Some of his biggest moments so far include performances at the Aorta raves, along with DJing at the UIC Boiler Room event at his college — experiences that helped solidify his confidence as both a performer and an artist.
trials and tribulations
Like many developing creatives, audio struggled early on with finding his identity and understanding exactly who he wanted to be as an artist. Choosing a lane wasn’t easy in a world full of endless genres and trends. But once he discovered where he truly belonged, everything changed.
“The hardest challenge was finding my artist identity and picking a genre to stick to,” he says. “After I figured out who I want to be, now I can just be that person.”
That realization led him directly toward hardstyle, hardtek, and EDM culture — genres that matched both his personality and creative vision.
“Hardstyle and hardtek and EDM in general is my calling in life.”
Now, audio’s ambitions are only getting bigger.
With dreams of performing at massive festivals like ARC Music Festival, North Coast Music Festival, and Beyond Wonderland, he’s focused on pushing his career to the next level while continuing to inspire the next generation of DJs and producers. One goal especially stands above the rest: performing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
“I would love to play a set at Red Rocks before I die,” he says. “Audio will be a household name before I’m done.”
But beyond the festivals, lights, and crowds, audio wants people to understand the person behind the music. His story is about growth, passion, and staying authentic while creating a better atmosphere for the community around him.
For upcoming artists trying to find their own sound, audio hopes his journey proves that identity comes with time, persistence, and belief in yourself.
And if his momentum continues at this pace, the Chicago rave scene may only be witnessing the beginning of what audio is capable of becoming.
