Growing up in the small town of Gilroy, it wasn't until his first year of college that Austin discovered DJing and performing. Studying for his degree in Business Marketing at Cal State Fullerton, Austin began his DJ career at house parties and fraternity events. These parties led to larger and more formal events, high schools, bars, and eventually, nightclubs and music festivals. In 2016, Austin, now known as DJ Austo, won CSUF's annual Battle of the DJs and performed at CSUF Spring Concert, opening for Rae Sremmurd and Porter Robinson.