One Uber, One Demo: The Story Behind Audien and Luke Alexander’s ‘7 Miles High’

Audien and Luke Alexander’s collaboration “7 Miles High” began when Alexander played an unfinished demo through an Uber’s speakers on the way to Chicago airport after a festival. Audien, whose real name is Nate Rathbun, offered feedback, and the two developed the track together. The story shows how an informal moment led to a release that brings their different approaches to dance music into one record.

Alexander brought a grittier, groove-led house sound shaped by New York clubs, while Audien added melodic and emotional elements associated with his progressive house work. They refined an initially more restrained version into a bigger, more energetic track drawing on tech house, indie dance and progressive house. Released through Enhanced, it is Alexander’s first collaboration at this level; the article also describes it as a move towards house for Audien.