With a string of chart topping remixes on Hype Machine, including Lorde’s “Team” and Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” Elephante has been making a name for himself in the electronic music industry. As an Ann Arbor native, Tim Wu never really envisioned producing as a possible career. Growing up, Tim was a classically trained pianist who pursued an Ivy League education. Graduating from Harvard and landing a job at a top consulting firm was in the stars but Tim decided to switch things up.

It was a gradual shift over a few years, but if I had to pick a specific moment, it was seeing Kaskade at Coachella 2012. I had a ton of fun at EDM shows before, but that was the first time I was really emotionally moved and had that “holy shit this is everything” feeling. Guys like Skrillex and Zedd were really inspirational too. Guys who were making stuff that would “melt your face off” yet was still super musical and beautiful.”

After quitting his job to pursue music, Elephante has become one of the hottest young producers in Los Angeles.

With over one million plays on some of his hottest remixes, we decided to catch up with Tim and find out how he does it!

Elephante’s Remix Method

1. Find a song you really like.

“Preferably one that has been stuck in your head for days and one that you’ve annoyed everyone around you by singing it constantly.”

2. Pick the parts that you want to keep in your remix.

“Usually the vocals, but it can be anything really.”

3. Add some instruments

Get our your handy dandy piano or guitar and figure out some cool chords or a melody to go the parts you chose. Try to make the chords or melody related to the original ideas if they’re great. If not, f*ck it. As long as you love it and are ready to listen to 8,000 times over the next few days.

4. Loop it

“Take your original idea and throw it on a loop in Ableton, it’s gonna be there for awhile. Listen to it over and over and try to add and change things that should be there; drums, cooler synths, etc. Add robot noises as much as possible. Trap breakdowns are highly encouraged.”

5. Repeat step 4

“Repeat until you go insane and have to stop.”

6. Imagine yourself dropping it at a huge festival.

“The most important part, imagine yourself playing it at Electric Daisy Carnival or Coachella.Make sure you jump around in your room and announce it your imaginary crowd. Does your imaginary crowd like it? No. Sulk about it for awhile and throw it away and start over. They liked it? Great! Celebrate with a frosty Bug Light because you deserve it.

*note: This recipe is by no means the only way to remix a song. You may end up going insane every couple weeks and your neighbors will hate you. *”

Elephante released his own original EP, Pretty Lights NYLA, in December 2013 and plans on releasing some brand new original music this fall. Maybe we can hear some of his originals remixed this winter?

“I’m really excited about the originals, similar style to the remixes I’ve been putting out but with all new vocals and everything.

Seven Lions has been a big influence and I’ve tried emulate him in a lot of ways, if he remixed my music I could hear how my ideas should sound and where I’ve been f*cking up.”

Connect with Elephante:

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

[Photo Credit: Elephante]

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