Cool, calming tones. Elegant and passionate compositions. These qualities and more are what make 92elm a true warrior throughout the industry. Tackling challenges and overcoming obstacles with might, while serenading his audience with pure bliss. One release at a time, he’s managed to create a formidable energy through his raw and organic skills. From sensational future bass tunes to soothing future beat wonderlands, the aura surrounding his works of art truly touches the hearts of many. Creating a safe haven for all to reside in. Feeling at peace with your mind and spirit.
Lending a hand to many artists such as QUIET BISON, mark veins, and more, his audio engineering power has helped their projects blossom into full bloom. Creating an even more impactful stasis for not only his skills, but their visions as well. He’s even created his own original sample packs for big-time names such as iZotope, Splice, and Origin Sound & Renraku. All while creating his own angelic journeys throughout time.
It’s with our great pleasure, to introduce his very own guest mix and interview. Diving into his background and overall interests, you’ll be blown away by this adventure he’s set his listeners on through this stellar mix of gems.
First off, thank you for taking the time for this interview. How have you been?
I’ve been doing well, thanks! I appreciate you having me.
Tell us about the mix you put together. What can listeners expect?
This mix is meant to be an evolving listening experience -my production is influenced by a wide range of sounds & I wanted this mix to reflect that. I’d say each song I’ve included has a strong melodic pull to it.
Is there a set of goals you’ve created for yourself for the rest of this year?
Loosely, I suppose – I’m co-producing my girlfriend’s album (it’ll be done by the time this interview is out) which we’ve been working on for nearly two years. There’s an entire audiovisual experience to accompany it. Immensely excited to share that! As a general goal for this year, I want to get more involved in producing/engineering for artists in different countries.
How did the 92elm project begin? What’s the significance behind the name?
The first house I grew up in was 92 Elm Street. It’s a tiny, old house in a sleepy Massachusetts suburb that was built in the 1700’s, and in my mind it represents a safe place of unrestricted creativity & exploration. A lot of my creative instincts were formed there as a kid, and it felt like a fitting name for my project. It’s a reminder to myself that I can access that place when I need to.
I think my ignorance of the underlying music theory was actually to my benefit, because I developed a good feel for vibe & groove
Your sense of arrangement and storytelling within your compositions are so smooth and natural. Were you classically trained or self taught?
I’m self-taught! I didn’t know a lick of music theory or how to play an instrument when I first started. I was ripping vinyl onto an MPC-2000 and making raw hip hop beats, emulating producers like DJ Premier & The Alchemist. I think my ignorance of the underlying music theory was actually to my benefit, because I developed a good feel for vibe & groove. But music theory has become a valuable tool in my tool kit.
Being based in Philly, how has the music scene evolved throughout your time living there? And where can you see the scene in the next few years?
Philly has a really rich musical history – there’s always been a diversity of sounds, but the connective tissue is that they all have authenticity & soul. My intro to the scene here was through DIY basement shows, mostly punk, hip-hop & EDM. Honestly, I don’t go to many shows/parties these days, so it’s difficult for me to say where the scene will be in the next few years, but I hope that DIY tradition & eclectic mix of sounds will continue to grow.
I had to practice a lot of restraint & detachment to get the project done before I started to get sick of listening to it.
Your newest EP, Gradients features some of the most cohesive and highly skilled pieces to date for your project. What were some major challenges while creating this? Can we expect more of this style in the future?
Thanks for the kind words! The main challenge was sticking to the original intention of the project. I wanted a break from making full songs & wanted more playfulness from my creative process. As I grew more attached to the tracks, perfectionism started kicking in, so I had to practice a lot of restraint & detachment to get the project done before I started to get sick of listening to it. You can definitely expect more from me in the style of Gradients!
Outside of music, are there hobbies or other interests you’ve been passionate about or want to get into?
I love a good hike in nature, I find being outdoors to be a nice mental & physical reset. I enjoy simple things like cooking & spending time with loved ones. Creatively I want to explore visual arts more, like painting & photography.
Are there any major obstacles you’ve had to overcome throughout your time as 92elm?
Probably similar obstacles that a lot of other creatives have – comparison to my peers, imposter syndrome, etc. I’m getting a better handle on those as time goes on, but I’m not sure if they ever fully disappear.
I get to see how other people are constructing/approaching their music & have gotten a lot of inspiration & knowledge through that.
You’ve taken the time to master some major projects for other incredible artists throughout the years. As well as create your own sample packs for big-time companies. Would you say you’ve learned brand new skills from those experiences to take into your own style?
Absolutely, working on other people’s music has made me a better producer/engineer/human. I get to see how other people are constructing/approaching their music & have gotten a lot of inspiration & knowledge through that. Making sample packs has also helped me – I always end up exploring new sound design techniques with each pack I create. Learning how to make each loop interesting enough for someone to want to sample it is a useful skill.
If you could see yourself in the distant future, what would you like to be doing?
Musically, producing for the Ariana’s & Dua Lipa’s of the world, and the new exciting artists we don’t know about yet. Personally, I’d like to have real stability & fulfillment in my relationships. I’m a simple man.
Any last words or exciting news you’d like to share for the readers and listeners out there?
Co-producing foryu’s album which will be out later this year, it’s an incredible project & a really strong first statement from a new artist, stoked for people to hear it!
Tracklist:
xander. – Clocks
92elm – All For Me
92elm – Radiate
Baribal x Pold – Lockdown
Mont Duamel – Find Myself
whereisalex – Shine
Eyezic x Pryces – Youth ft. Marcus Monroe
92elm x foryu – Overload
92elm – ID
foryu – ID (co-prod 92elm)
Broods – I Keep (feat. Tove Lo)
Mont Duamel – Between Us
Tourist – Apollo
Cella – Drowning
Zanski – HTBIS2
Disclosure x Raye – Waterfall
Moore Kismet x summet – Quest
Duskus – Holding U
foryu – ID (co-prod 92elm)
Tiedye Ky – Feeling Wrong
92elm – Hesitation
Quiet Bison – High Like This ft. Reo Cragun
Kaelin Ellis – Wake Up
Louis Futon – Amoeba
