Courting associations with legendary venues including the iconic Las Vegas hot spot Hakassan and boasting remix gigs for the likes of British electropop outfit Clean Bandit, Californian EDM artist Elephante is certainly making waves in 2017. With a sound that can go from progressive house to edgy dance pop, he presents a smorgasbord of delightful electronica treats in his idiosyncratic mix. Let’s get to know more about the man behind the ones and twos whose one of this year’s stars of Corona Electric Beach this year. He was the headline talent on the Atlanta stop of the tour on July 30, at Atlanta’s EDM mainstay venue Opera, where he played his awesome vibes outside on a beautiful day to adoring fans.
Terry Sartor: Your sound exudes that captivating, uplifting side of EDM. I hear it as electro-tinged progressive house with a slight commercial sheen and ‘big room’ appeal. How do you personally describe it?
Elephante: Appreciate that! I just try to make emotional, melodic dance music that can make people move and make them cry at the same time.
TS: What made you get started working professionally in the music industry
E: I’ve made music my whole life and always dreamed of being a musician, but always thought it was kind of a pipe dream. I had a job for a couple years but was super unhappy, so one day I just had enough and knew I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t give it a shot
TS: Being a music producer and being a DJ go hand in hand these days. How would you describe your DJ style versus your production sound and where do the two intersect?
E: I started off as a producer first, so learning how to DJ was sort of an extension of that so that I could play my music live. I still play a lot of my own music, but DJing is exciting because you get to play other stuff you love but don’t make, and you’re trying to interact with the crowd and find out what gets them going.
TS: From UK singer-songwriter Jody Brock to NYC pop artist Lyon Hart, you have a wide range of featured artists in your music portfolio. How do you go about finding other musicians to collaborate with on productions.
E: It totally varies, sometimes I just get emails from people, or we’ll connect on social media, or we’ll get introduced through management or something.
TS: You have a new single “Troubled” out with fellow L.A.-based EDM artist Deb’s Daughter. Tell me a little about that
E: It’s a really special song to me, and Deb’s Daughter kills it! It’s about this feeling we all get sometime, where you feel like the world around you is falling apart, but finding a sense of peace and grace and knowing that things will turn out okay.
TS: Who are some artists that you would like to work with in the future?
E: There are so many, but the dream collab would be Frank Ocean
TS: You’ve also done the pop remix thing including with such artists as radio-ruling Clean Bandit. So you’re obviously drawn to the pop side of the dance music scene. Who are some other artists that you’ve remixed and what else is in store on the front?
E: I’ve done a bunch of remixes, like Lorde, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, etc. They’re fun but I’ve been focused on working on another original EP, but will probably come back to some more pop remix stuff in the future
TS: What’s next for Elephante?
Elephante: Just on tour now through the fall, and a lot more new music!
Corona Electric Beach will be returning to Atlanta on Saturday, August 13th with Seeb at Whiskey Blue. Free with RSVP for those 21+ here.
