T.H.E Offbeats – Exclusive Chat With Elephante

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Born as Tim Wu in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Elephante started his music career as a classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter.

Since graduating from Harvard in 2011, he has been based in Los Angeles honing his craft as a progressive & electro house producer/DJ. His sound combines big room melodic house with influences from pop, electro, and trap, has been compared to Alesso, Madeon, and Avicii. He has garnered support from nearly every top EDM media outlet and played sold out shows across the country.

After releasing a smashing self-released single by the name of “Age Of Innocence,” an ethereal, energetic dance pop record with soaring vocals and an infectious pulse, we managed to catch up with Tim amidst his very hectic schedule to have a chat about his inspirations, plans for 2016, 5 top artists in 2015 and plenty more! Check out our chat below.

T.H.E – Hi Elephante, thanks for taking the time out for this interview. Where can one find you currently?

Elephante – Thank you for having me! I am currently at my studio in sunny LA, but you can always find me on the Internet

T.H.E – 2015 has proven to be massive for you. Describe it for us.

Elephante – It’s been a really crazy ride. I released my first label single, and went on my first tour this summer. I’ve always dreamed about being a musician, but actually living it still feels unreal. I get to travel around the country and play shows, and come home to LA and make music all week – like I really get to do this?

T.H.E – How did you identify and sculpt your sound to what it is now?

Elephante – It’s always been just listening to songs and sounds that I loved and thinking man how did they do that? The whole reason I started making electronic music was hearing a Skrillex song and being blown away, like what is this noise that he made. I grew up playing guitar and piano and playing in bands, so electronic music was just a brand new super exciting world for me. So then by trying to copy all the people I really loved, and failing miserably, I sort of stumbled on to things I liked and didn’t like and kind of meandered my way to my sound now.

T.H.E – Any inspirations which helped you shape your sound and production/DJing skills?

Elephante – It started off with a lot of indie electronic like Passion Pit and Miike Snow, but then guys like Kaskade, Alesso, and Avicii were really big influences early on. I’ve been listening to a lot of more future stuff like Tchami and Oliver Heldens. Also I watched a ton of YouTube tutorials when I was starting off haha.

T.H.E – ‘I want you’ feat. Rumors was an amazing collaboration! Are there anymore collaborations in the pipeline?

Elephante – Thank you! Really proud of that track – I’ve got a few remixes coming out very soon, and then more original music coming out after that!

T.H.E – Considering 2015 has been a massive year for you, what can we expect from Elephante in 2016? Any new tours to look forward to?

Elephante – Yes definitely! You can expect a ton of new music to annoy your neighbors with, and we’re working on planning another tour for early next year!

T.H.E – Can we expect to see you in India next year?

Elephante – Nothing announced yet, but stay tuned ;)

T.H.E – Which 5 artists according to you have had a brilliant 2015?

Elephante – Galantis, Tchami, Don Diablo, The Weeknd, and Fetty Wap (1738!)

T.H.E – Lastly, here’s a fun question. Imagine if you are headed to a camping adventure trip. Which 5-6 must carry essentials would you definitely carry with you?

Elephante – I’d bring a guitar, my laptop, and a microphone and probably make some really weird folk music. I’d also bring 15 boxes of Pizza, some bug spray, and my stuffed dog toy because I’m scared of the dark.

T.H.E – Thanks a ton mate! Wishing you the very best in all your future endeavours. :)