Show notes
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.Support ProducerHeadIf you value ProducerHead and want to support the show, consider a premium subscription (just $6 per month, even less on an annual basis). For less than a plug-in, you can directly support and grow the show while keeping the core content free for everyone.Meet ELPHNTTom 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 ProducerHeadWe 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 ExploredThroughout 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 masteryThree Game-Changing Takeaways1. Less Is More PhilosophyFocus 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 TheoryThere 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 FirstWhether 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 COMMENTSEpisode Timeline0:00 - Intro & Welcome2:09 - South Africa to London Journey3:36 - Philosophy of Making Music5:29 - Creative Process & Experimentation6:22 - Jack White's "Upholster the Chair" Philosophy9:50 - Getting Unstuck: Brian Eno's Oblique Cards14:10 - Open Mode vs Closed Mode19:19 - Organization & Workflow in Ableton24:08 - Learning by Doing vs Theory25:09 - ELPHNT Exclusive Promo!32:14 - Practice Practice Practice36:18 - Breaking Rules47:03 - Soulcrusher Gigs55:01 - Running Your Own Music Business1:03:12 - Balancing Music Creation with Business1:11:22 - Quick Hits & Closing Thoughts1:20:13 - OutroReferences & InspirationBooks & Concepts:* "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown* "74 Creative Strategies" by Dennis DeSantis* Brian Eno's Oblique CardsMusic That Shaped the Conversation:* "Introducing Hedzola Sounds with Hugh Masekela" - Hugh Masekela* "A Love Supreme" - John Coltrane* "Cosmogramma" - Flying Lotus* "Madvillainy" - Madvillain* "Songs of the Deaf" - Queens of the Stone AgeVisual References:* "Under Great White Northern Lights" (White Stripes documentary)* "2001: A Space Odyssey"🎵 LISTEN TO TORU'S MUSIC ON SPOTIFYConnect & Continue the ConversationFind ELPHNT:* YouTube: @ELPHNT* Instagram: @elphntx* Website: elphnt.ioConnect with Toru:* Website: torubeat.com* Instagram: @torubeat* YouTube: @torubeat* Spotify: Toru* Apple Music: ToruSupport ProducerHeadIf 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.Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a fellow producer and help spread the knowledge. Get full access to ProducerHead at producerhead.substack.com/subscribe
