Elephant Gym
{{Short description|Taiwanese jazz fusion band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Elephant Gym
| image = Elephant Gym at Esplanade Annexe Studio (2023-02-04 16-19-43).jpg
| caption = Elephant Gym in 2023
| origin = Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| years_active = 2012–present
| module = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes
| t = 大象體操
}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| label = Topshelf
| current_members = {{unbulleted list|KT Chang ({{lang|zh-TW|張凱婷}})|Tell Chang ({{lang|zh-TW|張凱翔}})|Chia-Chin Tu ({{lang|zh-TW|涂嘉欽}})}}
| website = https://elephantgym.co/
}}
Elephant Gym ({{zh|t_tw=大象體操}}) is a jazz fusion{{cite web |first1=Vania |last1=Fong |title=More Than Math: Elephant Gym Showcases Versatility and Experimentalism in Sold Out Tour |url=https://asiablooming.com/2024/03/21/more-than-math-elephant-gym-showcases-versatility-and-experimentalism-in-sold-out-tour/ |website=Asia Blooming |date=21 March 2024 |access-date=13 September 2024}}{{cite web |first1=Collin |last1=Smith |title=Elephant Gym: Is it even math rock? |url=https://feckingbahamas.com/new-music-elephant-gym-is-it-even-math-rock |website=Fecking Bahamas |date=13 May 2022 |access-date=13 September 2024}} band from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, founded in February{{nbsp}}2012. The group consists of multi-instrumentalist siblings KT{{nbsp}}Chang and Tell{{nbsp}}Chang, and drummer Chia-Chin{{nbsp}}Tu. The word "elephant" in the band name symbolizes their bass-driven melodies, and "gym" refers to their agile and irregular rhythms.{{cite news |last=Chan |first=Boon |date=September 20, 2017 |title=Taiwan's Elephant Gym say audiences are learning to love their math rock|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/taiwanese-indie-band-elephant-gym-wants-to-play-at-the-esplanade|work=The Straits Times |access-date=October 8, 2019}}
History
=Formation, ''Balance'', ''Angle'' and hiatus (2014–2016)=
As children, KT and Tell Chang were trained in classical music by their mother, while Chia-chin Tu learned classical percussion. After the siblings met Tu at a music club in high school, the trio formed Elephant{{nbsp}}Gym in February{{nbsp}}2012,{{Cite web|title=Topshelf Records, Elephant Gym Roster|url=http://www.topshelfrecords.com/roster/elephant-gym}} hand-produced a limited edition EP,{{cn|date=September 2024}} and toured Taiwan on the single "Ordinary{{nbsp}}Route" (later released on their album Angle). On May 8, 2013, the band released Balance, their first EP, which included the song "Ocean in the Night" which was produced in collaboration with Hom Shenhao, the lead singer of indie band Touming Magazine. In 2014, they collaborated with Yoga Lin on a song, "Speaking in Tongues", which they performed with him in Hung Hom, Hong Kong and at the Taipei Arena.
In June 2014, their debut album Angle was released, with singles featuring Panai Kusui and Enno Cheng. In December 2014, the group members announced a year long hiatus due to Taiwanese compulsory military service, and held a performance entitled See You Then in addition to a short documentary of the same name.{{Cite web|title=SEE YOU THEN Official Short Documentary| website=YouTube | date=29 December 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQllhrYu74c}}{{cite news |date=August 14, 2014 |title=Taiwan's Elephant Gym bring back bass-driven math rock|url=
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1569330/taiwans-elephant-gym-bring-back-bass-driven-math-rock|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=October 8, 2019}} In the meantime, KT went on to form the band Felix{{nbsp}}Felicis ({{lang|zh-TW|小福氣}}) alongside Enno Cheng.{{cite web|first=Jocelle|last=Koh|url=https://asianpopweekly.com/features/interviews/interview-with-felix-felicis-%E5%B0%8F%E7%A6%8F%E6%B0%A3-what-does-a-band-likened-to-fireworks-look-like/|title=Interview with Felix Felicis {{ndash}} What Does A Band Likened To Fireworks Look Like?|date=2015-12-11|work=Asian Pop Weekly}}
=Post-hiatus: ''Work'' EP and ''Underwater'' (2016–2018)=
In August 2016, their earlier work Angle was released in Japan and the group was invited to participate in the Summer Sonic Festival.{{cite web|title=SUMMER SONIC 2016 LINE UP|url=http://www.summersonic.com/2016/lineup/106.html}} The group released their second EP Work in October 2016, followed by a tour of Taiwan in small venues. In June 2017, the group was invited to Tokyo to play with American math rock band The Fall of Troy and special guest Hikes. The band played in the Megaport Music Festival in 2018.{{Cite web|title=Taiwan math rock band Elephant Gym release multi-cam live video from Megaport Festival|date=July 2018 |url=https://uniteasia.org/taiwan-math-rock-band-elephant-gym-release-multi-cam-live-video-megaport-festival/}}
In November 2018, they released their second full-length album Underwater followed by a world tour, which included a performance at SXSW{{Cite web|title=SXSW 2019 Schedule|url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2019/artists/2007068}} and a live session at Audiotree.{{Cite web|title=Elephant Gym -- Audiotree|url=https://audiotree.tv/session/elephant-gym}} In August 2019, they performed at the ArcTanGent Festival.{{Cite web|title=Elephant Gym to perform at ArcTanGent Festival with Coheed and Cambria, Polyphia, Meshuggah, and more|url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/elephant-gym-to-perform-at-arctangent-festival}}
= ''Dreams'' and ''World'' (2019–present) =
They released the single "Gaze at Blue" on 18 October 2019.{{cite web|url=https://elephant-gym.bandcamp.com/|website=Bandcamp|title=Elephant Gym}} Their 3rd album, Dreams ({{lang|zh-TW|夢境}}) was released on 11 May 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/features/elephant-gym-album-dreams-interview-math-rock-3222491|title=Elephant Gym expand their universe|date=2022-05-11|first=Daniel|last=Peters|work=NME}} On 3 November 2023, they released the single "Jhalleyaa" in collaboration with Indian-Canadian singer Shashaa Tirupati.{{cite news|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/shashaa-tirupati-elephant-gym-jhalleyaa-song/|work=Rolling Stone India|first=Anurag|last=Terat|title=Shashaa Tirupati and Elephant Gym Team Up for Math Rock on ‘Jhalleyaa’|date=2023-12-08}} Their 10 year anniversary album World ({{lang|zh-TW|世界}}) was released on 14 December 2025.https://elephant-gym.bandcamp.com/album/world On 30 May 2025, their live album Live in The World was announced to be released in late 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.topshelfrecords.com/words/posts/30608-elephant-gym-release-live-in-the-world-south-america|website=Topshelf Records|title=Elephant Gym release "Live in The World {{ndash}} South America"}}
Band members
- KT Chang ({{lang|zh-TW|張凱婷}}) - bass guitar, keyboards, vocals{{cite AV media notes|id=UPC 6 34457 85212 9|title=Work|type=CD liner notes|year=2016|author=Elephant Gym|publisher=Topshelf Records}}{{cite AV media notes|id=UPC 6 34457 81342 7|title=Underwater|type=CD liner notes|year=2018|author=Elephant Gym|publisher=Topshelf Records}}
- Tell Chang ({{lang|zh-TW|張凱翔}}) - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
- Chia-Chin Tu ({{lang|zh-TW|涂嘉欽}}) - drums, percussion
Awards
Discography
=Studio albums=
{{Track listing
| headline = Balance ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=平衡}}) [2013]
| extra_column = Featured artist
| total_length = 17:03
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| width =
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Finger
| note1 =
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 =
| length1 = 5:02
| title2 = Ocean in the Night
| note2 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=夜洋風景}}
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 = {{interlanguage link|洪申豪|lt=Hom Shenhao|zh}} ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=洪申豪}})
| length2 = 4:54
| title3 = Dance Together
| note3 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=一起跳舞}}
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 =
| length3 = 2:03
| title4 = Galaxy
| note4 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=銀河}}
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 =
| length4 = 5:04
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Angle ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=角度}}) [2014]
| extra_column = Featured artist
| total_length = 46:13
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| width =
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Intro
| note1 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=序}}
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 =
| length1 = 1:05
| title2 = Day Time
| note2 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=白日}}
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 = Enno Cheng ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=鄭宜農}})
| length2 = 4:14
| title3 = Games
| note3 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=遊戲}}
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 =
| length3 = 4:05
| title4 = Light
| note4 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=燈}}
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 =
| length4 = 2:56
| title5 = Strong Ladder
| note5 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=堅固耐用的梯子}}
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 =
| length5 = 3:44
| title6 = Ordinary Route
| note6 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=日常的航道}}
| writer6 =
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| extra6 =
| length6 = 5:08
| title7 = Head
| note7 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=頭}}
| writer7 =
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| extra7 =
| length7 = 0:56
| title8 = Body
| note8 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=身體}}
| writer8 =
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| extra8 =
| length8 = 4:09
| title9 = Frog
| note9 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=青蛙}}
| writer9 =
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| extra9 =
| length9 = 5:12
| title10 = Whistle
| note10 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=鳥鳴}}
| writer10 =
| lyrics10 =
| music10 =
| extra10 =
| length10 = 4:31
| title11 = Swan
| note11 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=天鵝}}
| writer11 =
| lyrics11 =
| music11 =
| extra11 = Panai Kusui ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=巴奈}})
| length11 = 10:13
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Work ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=工作}}) [2016]
| extra_column = Featured artist
| total_length = 15:53
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| width =
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Mirror
| note1 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=鏡子}}
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 =
| length1 = 0:38
| title2 = Midway
| note2 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=中途}}
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 =
| length2 = 3:59
| title3 = D
| note3 =
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 =
| length3 = 4:09
| title4 = Spring Rain
| note4 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=春雨}}
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 =
| length4 = 4:26
| title5 = Celebrate
| note5 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=慶}}
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 =
| length5 = 2:41
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Underwater ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=水底}}) [2018]
| extra_column = Featured artist
| total_length = 37:56
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| width =
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Shower
| note1 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=陣雨}}
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 =
| length1 = 1:39
| title2 = Underwater
| note2 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=水底}}
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 =
| length2 = 4:00
| title3 = Satellite
| note3 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=人造衛星}}
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 =
| length3 = 3:45
| title4 = Half Asleep
| note4 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=彌留}}
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 =
| length4 = 1:30
| title5 = Bad Dream
| note5 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=噩夢}}
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 = Sowut
| length5 = 4:57
| title6 = Half
| note6 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=半個}}
| writer6 =
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| extra6 =
| length6 = 4:24
| title7 = Shell
| note7 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=順從的殼}}
| writer7 =
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| extra7 = Cudjiy Ija Karivuwan ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=張威龍}})
| length7 = 3:41
| title8 = Lake
| note8 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=湖}}
| writer8 =
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| extra8 =
| length8 = 0:59
| title9 = Quilt
| note9 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=被子}}
| writer9 =
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| extra9 =
| length9 = 4:18
| title10 = Walk
| note10 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=散步}}
| writer10 =
| lyrics10 =
| music10 =
| extra10 =
| length10 = 4:36
| title11 = Speechless
| note11 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=走在沒說完的話裡}}
| writer11 =
| lyrics11 =
| music11 =
| extra11 =
| length11 = 0:36
| title12 = Moonset
| note12 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=月落}}
| writer12 =
| lyrics12 =
| music12 =
| extra12 = {{interlanguage link|Yeye (artist)|lt=Yeye|ja|Yeye}}
| length12 = 3:31
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Dreams ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=夢境}}) [2022]
| extra_column = Featured artist
| total_length = 41:18
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| width =
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Anima
| note1 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=阿尼瑪}}
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 =
| length1 = 2:40
| title2 = Go Through the Night
| note2 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=穿過夜晚}}
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 =
| length2 = 3:49
| title3 = Shadow
| note3 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=影子}}
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 = 9m88
| length3 = 3:45
| title4 = Witches
| note4 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=女巫}}
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 =
| length4 = 3:51
| title5 = Dreamlike
| note5 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=如夢一般}}
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 =
| length5 = 3:36
| title6 = Wings
| note6 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=振翅}}
| writer6 =
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| extra6 = Kaohsiung City Wind Orchestra ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=高雄市管樂團}})
| length6 = 3:51
| title7 = Happy But Sad
| note7 =
| writer7 =
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| extra7 =
| length7 = 1:59
| title8 = Deities' Party
| note8 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=眾神的派對}}
| writer8 =
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| extra8 = Chio Tian Folk Drums & Art Troupe ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=九天民俗技藝團}})
| length8 = 3:05
| title9 = Dear Humans [JP Version]
| note9 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=敬啟者}}
| writer9 =
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| extra9 =
| length9 = 3:42
| title10 = Gaze at Blue [Album Version]
| note10 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=凝視}}
| writer10 =
| lyrics10 =
| music10 =
| extra10 =
| length10 = 3:54
| title11 = Fable
| note11 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=托夢}}
| writer11 =
| lyrics11 =
| music11 =
| extra11 = MC JJ
| length11 = 2:57
| title12 = Dream of You
| note12 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=發夢到你}}
| writer12 =
| lyrics12 =
| music12 =
| extra12 = Lin Sheng Xiang ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=林生祥}})
| length12 = 4:09
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = World ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=世界}}) [2023]
| extra_column = Featured artist
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| width =
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Jhalleyaa{{efn|Omitted in some releases.}}
| note1 =
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 = Shashaa Tirupati
| length1 = 4:18
| title2 = Feather
| note2 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=羽毛}}
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 = Whyte ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=壞特}})
| length2 = 3:51
| title3 = Adventure
| note3 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=探險}}
| writer3 =
| lyrics3 =
| music3 =
| extra3 =
| length3 = 2:33
| title4 = Flowers
| note4 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=花束}}
| writer4 =
| lyrics4 =
| music4 =
| extra4 =
| length4 = 0:48
| title5 = Name
| note5 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=名字}}
| writer5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 = Seiji Kameda ({{Langx|ja|亀田誠治|label=none}})
| length5 = 3:16
| title6 = Galaxy [Orchestra Version]
| note6 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=銀河}}
| writer6 =
| lyrics6 =
| music6 =
| extra6 = Kaohsiung City Wind Orchestra ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=高雄市管樂團}})
| length6 = 5:48
| title7 = Light [Orchestra Version]
| note7 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=燈}}
| writer7 =
| lyrics7 =
| music7 =
| extra7 = Kaohsiung City Wind Orchestra ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=高雄市管樂團}})
| length7 = 2:58
| title8 = Ocean in the Night [Orchestra Version]
| note8 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=夜洋風景}}
| writer8 =
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| extra8 = Kaohsiung City Wind Orchestra ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=高雄市管樂團}}) & {{interlanguage link|洪申豪|lt=Hom Shenhao|zh}} ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=洪申豪}})
| length8 = 5:00
| title9 = Happy Prince
| note9 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=快樂王子}}
| writer9 =
| lyrics9 =
| music9 =
| extra9 = Yile Lin ({{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=林以樂}})
| length9 = 4:19
| title10 = Feather
| note10 = {{Lang-zh|labels=no|t_tw=羽毛}}
| writer10 =
| lyrics10 =
| music10 =
| extra10 = Tendre
| length10 = 3:52
| total_length = 36:43{{efn|32:25 without Track 1.}}
}}
{{notelist}}
=Singles=
- Gaze at Blue (2019)
- Dear Humans (2020)
- Go Through the Night (2021)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Elephant Gym}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Taiwanese rock music groups
Category:Taiwanese musical trios
Category:Taiwanese jazz-rock groups