📷: Ely Oaks
Orlando, FL – When I sat down with rising electronic artist Ely Oaks at EDC Orlando, the first thing I noticed, besides the Florida heat and dust trying to sabotage us, was his energy. Calm, humble, and genuinely excited, Ely radiates the kind of presence that makes you instantly understand why crowds across the world connect with him. This past weekend marked his EDC debut, and despite playing through hot temperatures and b2b flights, he showed up with nothing but gratitude.
The Berlin Move That Changed Everything
Ely may be based in Berlin now, but his story starts in a tiny Austrian village you’ve probably never heard of. He told me how he moved to Berlin three years ago—jumping from a quiet town to a massive, four-million-person metropolis. It wasn’t easy. Finding an apartment took five months. Navigating the city took time. But the moment he arrived, he knew it was where he needed to be.
“Berlin is the hotspot for the German music industry,” he said. “It was messy in the beginning, but I loved it from day one.”
Fifteen Years in the Making
Ely didn’t rise overnight. He’s been producing for 15 years, long before TikTok, streaming, or viral moments. His first DJ gig? A hilarious, terrifying origin story.
A friend dragged him to a tiny hometown club and said, “I’m going to the toilet, you take over the decks,” and disappeared for an hour. Ely had never played publicly before.
“I hated him at the time,” he laughed, “but now I’m grateful. That moment taught me to handle pressure. It built my confidence.”
It’s that confidence that now carries him across stages worldwide.
Social Media: The Modern DJ’s Lifeline
We talked about something every modern artist feels: the demand to be both artist and content creator.
“Once I accepted that social media is part of the job, I leaned into it,” Ely said.
His social media success is proof. Over one million followers across Instagram and TikTok, and videos that showcase his style, personality, and sound. No giant marketing plan. Just consistency, intuition, and momentum.
His advice to new artists?
“Start TikTok. Learn it. Understand it. And go all-in. Consistency is everything.”
118 Million Streams & A Life-Changing Moment
Ely’s breakthrough single, “Running Around,” recently passed 118 million streams. When I told him the updated number, he looked almost in disbelief.
“You see numbers, but you don’t actually understand them,” he said. “Then I come to play in the U.S., across the world from home, and people are singing my lyrics. That’s the moment it hits you.”
For Ely, that connection—the fan energy, the voices in the crowd—is the best part of the job.
Touring the U.S. & What’s Next
Ely’s schedule is nonstop. Before this interview he was in New York City until 3 AM, then caught a flight at 7 AM to Orlando, slept for half an hour, and went straight into playing his first EDC Orlando debut set. But he wouldn’t change it for the world.
He’s currently finishing shows in Europe before returning to the U.S. for another run, with major dates locked in for March (though he can’t announce cities just yet). After that? An Australia tour right in time for their summer.
“I just want to see more of the States,” he said. “The fan connection here… it’s on another level.”
Remixing James Hype & Elle King
Last month alone, Ely dropped two massive remixes:
- “Waterfall” – James Hype
- “Ex’s & Oh’s” – Elle King
James Hype personally reached out for the collab, a moment Ely called an honor.
Elle King’s remix started as a TikTok flip. His manager, known for clearing the impossible, pushed until it became an official release.
“That’s her biggest song ever,” he said. “For her to let me rework it… that was unreal.”
Late-Night Munchies, Genre Inspo & Spotify On-Repeat
At 2 AM in the studio, Ely keeps it real:
- Go-to munchie: Fries — “gluten-free and undefeated.”
- Genres he loves: Dubstep, drum & bass, rap, 2010s pop classics.
- Current obsession: Melanie Martinez (yes, he already remixed her for TikTok).
Ely’s Spotify is basically a folder of “songs I want to flip later”—a testament to how relentlessly creative he is.
Sober, Focused, and Always Building
Ely has been sober for three years. Backstage life is now clean, calm, and about staying present.
“When you take alcohol out of gigs, things don’t get so crazy anymore,” he joked.
But that focus is paying off, because his career momentum proves it.
The Most Unhinged Sample Name?
Without hesitation:
“Ass Shaking 2.0. If you type ‘ass’ into my laptop, you’ll find too many files.”
A man of the people.
Final Thoughts: A Rising Artist With a World to Conquer
Talking to Ely Oaks feels like talking to someone right on the cusp of global stardom, but he hasn’t changed. He’s grateful. Humble. Hard-working. And unbelievably excited for what’s next.
Before we wrapped, he thanked me for the interview and reminded me that if I ever hit Lost Lands, the dubstep Super Bowl: “Let me know, bro. We’ll hang out.”
Ely Oaks is here to stay. And after this EDC debut, the world is definitely watching.
