In this comprehensive conversation, ELPHNT shares his journey from traditional musician to innovative music educator and tool creator. We explore his minimalist approach to production, the importance of finding your creative process, and how he's built a sustainable online business around his passion for music.
From his practical advice on organization, performance, and overcoming creative blocks, this episode provides valuable insights for producers at any stage of their journey.
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Meet ELPHNT
Tom Glendenning, known professionally as ELPHNT, is a London-based music producer, educator, and software developer originally from South Africa. He is best known for creating innovative tools and educational content for Ableton Live users, building a successful online business around music production education while maintaining his own artistic practice.
ELPHNT represents the modern producer-educator archetype, combining deep technical knowledge with practical teaching methods and a minimalist creative philosophy.
Special Offer to Support ELPHNT and ProducerHead
We hooked up with ELPHNT to get 25% off any of his Ableton Live packs. On top of that, any purchase will automatically include his GEN pack, for free.
If you're interested you can take advantage of this at: elphnt.io/producerhead
No code needed. Just use the link, choose your pack, and you’ll see the discount applied automatically.
What We Explored
Throughout the episode we discuss:
• The importance of having a conscious philosophy for making music
• Balancing technical and artistic sides of production ("open mode" vs "closed mode")
• Creating custom tools to overcome creative blocks (his version of Brian Eno's oblique cards)
• The value of organization and workflow optimization in Ableton Live
• Learning by doing vs. theoretical knowledge in music production
• Overcoming performance anxiety and the reality of "soul crusher" gigs
• Building an online business around music without losing authenticity
• The balance between consumption and production in learning
• Why practice and experience are the only paths to real mastery
Three Game-Changing Takeaways
1. Less Is More Philosophy
Focus on going deeper with fewer elements rather than adding more sounds - spend time crafting the tonal characteristics and textures of individual elements.
2. Practice Over Theory
There are no shortcuts to mastery. You can watch thousands of tutorials, but real learning only comes through repeated hands-on practice and experimentation.
3. Build for Yourself First
Whether creating music or business tools, start with solving your own problems and needs - authenticity and personal connection will naturally resonate with others.
💬 SHARE YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY IN THE COMMENTS
Episode Timeline
0:00 - Intro & Welcome
2:09 - South Africa to London Journey
3:36 - Philosophy of Making Music
5:29 - Creative Process & Experimentation
6:22 - Jack White's "Upholster the Chair" Philosophy
9:50 - Getting Unstuck: Brian Eno's Oblique Cards
14:10 - Open Mode vs Closed Mode
19:19 - Organization & Workflow in Ableton
24:08 - Learning by Doing vs Theory
25:09 - ELPHNT Exclusive Promo!
32:14 - Practice Practice Practice
36:18 - Breaking Rules
47:03 - Soulcrusher Gigs
55:01 - Running Your Own Music Business
1:03:12 - Balancing Music Creation with Business
1:11:22 - Quick Hits & Closing Thoughts
1:20:13 - Outro
References & Inspiration
Books & Concepts:
Music That Shaped the Conversation:
Visual References:
🎵 LISTEN TO TORU'S MUSIC ON SPOTIFY
Connect & Continue the Conversation
Find ELPHNT:
Connect with Toru:
Website: torubeat.com
Instagram: @torubeat
YouTube: @torubeat
Spotify: Toru
Apple Music: Toru
Support ProducerHead
If you value ProducerHead and want to support the show, consider a premium subscription (just $6 per month). For less than a plug-in, you can directly support and grow the show while keeping the core content free for everyone.
This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz. From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.
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