NAU NAU MUSIC
From Turntables To Global Stage
How a spark once ignited in the Dutch countryside transformed into a lifelong musical journey.
At just sixteen, Maarten Bousie, known to many as Dan Sanders, discovered the magic of two Technics SL-1200 MKII turntables. That moment marked the beginning of an extraordinary odyssey through the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music.
Main go to and favourite vinyl stores at that time were Kareltje Import in Utrecht (NL) and Velvet Music in Rotterdam (NL).
Before moving to The Hague Maarten and a friend discovered acid house. VPRO radioshows like ‘Front’ and ‘Villa 65’ (Semtex Cyberradio) were the main inspiration. Progressive and obscure. So they started crate diggin’ at the above mentioned vinyl stores and experimenting.
After having pitched numerous ‘weird’ mixtapes, they scored their first ever (Thursday night) residency. The door at the infamous Parkzicht – later to become a legendary house venue in Rotterdam – was open. At that point it was still disco and italo galore whereas practically no one had heard of house music yet, let alone acid house.
Born in Leiden, the Netherlands, Bousie’s journey began in earnest when he joined the promotion department of Combined Forces Records (CFR) in The Hague. Immersed in the vibrant Dutch electronic scene, he quickly learned the ropes of the international music business, moving from promotions into A&R and international licensing within just five years.
CFR was also where he met one of his musical heroes, Sander Kleinenberg, sparking a connection that would later prove pivotal. Alongside his growing industry experience, Maarten continued to DJ under the name Dan Sanders and helped organize a string of legendary underground events in the 070 area, gaining a loyal local following.
LITTLE MOUNTAIN ROCKS ™ & THIS IS ™
A new chapter unfolded when he crossed paths with the head of Red Bull’s marketing team in the Netherlands, leading him to design tailor-made entertainment concepts for some of the brand’s key clients. But it wasn’t long before that earlier connection came calling, literally. Kleinenberg reached out, looking for someone to run his newly founded label, Little Mountain Recordings (LMR).
Maarten accepted, stepping into the role of A&R and Label Manager, a partnership that would define the next decade of his professional life. The LMR years became a whirlwind of creativity, global touring, and groundbreaking releases, combining the energy of DJ culture with the art of curation.
Through Little Mountain Recordings and its sister imprint This Is™ Recordings, Bousie helped shape a new wave of electronic sound, working with artists such as 2 Faced (Don Diablo), Compuphonic, Dansor, David Keno, Eelke Kleijn, Funkagenda, Paolo Mojo, Kolombo, René Amesz, Patch Park, Steve Porter, and UMEK, among many others, resulting in over 150 releases.
The team’s branded Little Mountain Rocks, Everybody™, and This Is™ nights became fixtures at world-renowned venues including Ministry of Sound (London), Paradiso and Melkweg (Amsterdam), Nerve (Miami), Discotheque (Moscow), and LIV (Miami), featuring line-ups with Sasha, John Digweed, Nick Warren, Deep Dish, Damian Lazarus, Pete Tong, James Zabiela, Jody Wisternoff, and Deadmau5
THE EVOLUTION
- Early influences: VPRO’s ‘Front’ and ‘Villa 65’ radio shows shaped his progressive sound
- First breakthrough: Secured a residency at Rotterdam’s legendary Parkzicht, pioneering acid house music when disco and Italo still ruled
- The Hague era: Launched underground sensations like Fun Force, Soundsjop, TOF (Techno On Friday) and Secret Sessions
- Industry insider: Pivotal roles at Combined Forces Records, Little Mountain Recordings (LMR) and This Is ™ Recordings as Dan Sanders
- International reach: Headlined prestigious venues from Moscow’s ‘Discotheque’ to Amsterdam’s ‘Melkweg’ & ‘Paradiso’ to Miami’s ‘LIV’ and London’s ‘Ministry of Sound’
The Renaissance
Now based in Spain, Nau Nau (his latest incarnation) combines decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology. His intimate invite only Club Nau nights honor the underground spirit whilst steadily building a solid fanbase. On top of that two groundbreaking concepts await their 2025 launch. Living by the motto “Without music life would be a mistake,” Maarten continues to push boundaries in electronic music, blending classic vinyl heritage with modern innovation.