What are ProducerHead Loops?

Gems from past conversations worth running back.

Perfect for when you need a quick hit of inspiration.

This Loop:

In this ProducerHead Loops episode, Chenoa shares a powerful reminder: if the space you want doesn’t exist, build it. She breaks down the origins of “Bouquet,” the femme-centered monthly artist showcase she runs in Brooklyn. A place designed for safety, expression, and long-form musical storytelling. This Loop is about community as activism, and the small, intentional design choices that make people feel like they finally belong.

From Episode: 014. Part 1: Another’s Success Is Not Your Failure. You Can Do Whatever You Want, Forever. | feat. Chenoa Tarin

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Subscribe to ProducerHead

Get new episodes and Loops delivered straight to your inbox. Hit that subscribe button if you’re not already part of the community.

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz.

From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

What are ProducerHead Loops?

Gems from past conversations worth running back.

Perfect for when you need a quick hit of inspiration.

This Loop:

In this ProducerHead Loops episode, Wrex Mason explores how shifting your mindset from “finish everything now” to “treat it like a sketchbook” can unlock more freedom, creativity, and longevity in your music-making. Wrex reminds us that music grows in layers. Let ideas marinate. Add color when inspired. Come back when it feels right. The sketchbook is always there, and so are you.

From Episode: 013. Part 1: There Was A Yesterday. There Is A Tomorrow. Make Music For You Today. | feat. Wrex Mason

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Subscribe to ProducerHead

Get new episodes and Loops delivered straight to your inbox. Hit that subscribe button if you’re not already part of the community.

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz.

From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

The Truth:

Creative power is nebulous, making it hard to measure, but it is trained in the same way as physical strength.

Your skill level as a producer is moving right now. The question is: which direction?

Your skills are either growing or decaying---change is constant. Your development is a dynamic consequence of your decisions.

Up close, progress may seem invisible. That’s an illusion of perspective. Growth is happening even when you can’t point to it in a given moment. The key is to trust that consistent, intentional work produces results---whether you feel them today or not.

Creative Strength Training

Strength---physical or creative---is your capacity to do it when you don’t feel like it. It means doing what you said you were going to do. In the gym, that means showing up and doing your workout. In the studio, it means showing up consistently, working through doubt, and carrying ideas to completion.

The version of you that goes to the gym will be stronger than the version that doesn’t. How much stronger depends on: the consistency of your workouts (refer to Frequency) and the quality of design in alignment with your goals (see The Piñata Method). The same holds true in the studio---consistency and intentional practice generate creative power.

The Session Doesn’t Count. The Streak Does.

What we can lift today versus a year from now has less to do with what we accomplish in one session and everything to do with how many sessions we are able to link together.

This is easy to forget if we don’t feel ourselves getting stronger moment to moment. From one day or week to the next you may find that you are lifting the same weight, maybe even a little less. There’s a recency bias inherent in this natural desire for fast results. We can’t remember what it felt like a year ago, but we recognize that compared to yesterday, I’m not lifting any more than I did. The key here is to zoom out. And the longer the recorded history, the more we are able to see. The more we show up on a daily basis, the more recorded history we have in the future. Temperature doesn’t increase every single day, but overall the planet is warmer. As you execute your strength training program according to a schedule aligned with your goals you will notice that it grows in a similar way.

Trust the Practice

We cannot control the rate of growth, but growth is inevitable when we are committed to the plan. If someone were to tell you that they are going to the gym five days a week and are expecting to be stronger a year from now, you wouldn’t question that assumption. How is creative strength any different?

Embracing this is powerful because when we understand that growth is happening, we can commit ourselves to the underlying practice.

“But What About...?”

Talent. I love this idea from Jerry Seinfeld: talent is like being gifted a thoroughbred horse. It’s fast and powerful, but you have to learn to ride it. Unapplied and untrained talent will atrophy over time. Talent is a gift. Training is a choice. Regardless of how much talent you perceive yourself to have or lack, developing skill is your decision.

Decay. If we can grow, we can shrink. In the never-ending quest for growth and improvement, it is easy to take what we have for granted. But, what we have gained is not retained if not maintained. If you miss a day or two at the gym, you probably won’t notice much of a change. But extend this to a week, a month, or even a year and it becomes obvious. The perspective of decline and deterioration is equally powerful in its reminder that our ability is not a static trait.

Plateaus. The paradox of skill development: the more skilled you become, the harder it is to improve. That said, plateaus aren’t dead ends, they are firm ground for forward motion. They are platforms to internalize what you learn until it becomes automatic, generating momentum to carry you to the next level. With accumulated experience, you can refine your goals and adjust how you train. The plateau isn’t where growth stops---it’s where your next climb begins.

Making bad music. No matter how much your skill level grows, you’re not immune to making bad music. The music we share is always our “best of.” The most direct path to making good music is to make music often. Most of what you make will be bad---that’s not a problem, that’s the process that leads to your best work.

As you head to the studio, start tracking one simple metric: How many sessions can you link together? Experimenting, sketching, finishing---they all count. The decisions are within your control. The outcomes will reveal themselves over time. Nothing is static---especially when it feels like it is. Show up. You are getting stronger even when you can’t feel it.

What are ProducerHead Loops?

Gems from past conversations worth running back.

Perfect for when you need a quick hit of inspiration.

This Loop:

In this ProducerHead Loops episode, Ian Ewing digs into one of the most transformative skills a producer or musician can build: listening. As a drummer and producer known for pocket, feel, and emotional nuance, Ian breaks down how listening leads to thoughtful production.

From Episode: 011. Part 1: Do Less: Making Better Decisions Instead Of More Decisions, Compassionate Discipline, Expanding Your Perspective on Productivity, And Defining Your Own Success | feat. Ian Ewing

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Subscribe to ProducerHead

Get new episodes and Loops delivered straight to your inbox. Hit that subscribe button if you’re not already part of the community.

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz.

From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

Why This Episode Matters:

DJ Grumble’s story flips the myth of the “tortured full-time artist” on its head. A medicinal chemist by training, he treats his beat-making with the same rigor as a lab experiment, balancing structure and spontaneity while managing a startup, research deadlines, and a thriving music catalog. His journey shows that creativity and discipline aren’t opposites; they’re two sides of the same molecule.

Explore the Stories Behind the Beats

Love diving into the stories behind the beats? Subscribe to ProducerHead and join producers and creatives exploring the ideas, habits, and inspiration that drive great music.

Who is DJ Grumble:

Producer, DJ, and chemist. Known for a massive catalog of soulful, sample-based beats, DJ Grumble built a cult following through SoundCloud, YouTube, and Bandcamp. DJ Grumble has produced tracks for RIAA-certified gold and platinum artists such as Ari Lennox and Surfaces, and his work has been featured in TV shows, movies, and video games, all while holding a PhD-level background in nano-medicine and now serving as co-founder of a cancer biotech startup in the Bay Area.

What We Dive Into:

* Parallels between scientific experimentation and sampling

* Managing expectations and finding work-life balance

* How to release fearlessly and build a catalog that compounds

* The “quantity vs. quality” myth and the power of consistency

* Business 101 for producers: PROs, SongTrust, and royalties

* Collaboration, taste, and why addition is often subtraction

* Merging two worlds: creativity and chemistry

Three Key Takeaways:

* Consistency > Perfection: Grumble’s catalog exploded when he stopped over-editing and started releasing — one beat every week. He learned that fans, not artists, decide what hits.

* Science and Sound Share the Same DNA: Sampling and chemistry both start with raw materials and transform them through experimentation. Grumble’s scientific mindset fuels his musical process.

* Manage Your Expectations: Whether it’s the lab or the music business, results take time. Success compounds slowly — and you can only collect on your creativity if you understand the systems that pay you.

Before You Go:

What’s your version of the “lab?” The place where you put in steady, focused work that no one sees? Take a page from Grumble’s book: set aside even 30 minutes a day to experiment, release without fear, and let time and repetition refine your craft.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

0:27 – From chemistry to beats

2:12 – Parallels between science and sampling

5:48 – Balancing lab work and creativity

7:53 – Quantity vs. quality mindset

9:21 – Sharing music fearlessly

13:31 – Free beats and virality

14:22 – Optimism and managing expectations

19:37 – Business 101: royalties, PROs, and SongTrust

28:00 – Catalog strategy and viral growth

32:26 – Collaboration and cross-pollination

35:22 – Being objective and learning from failure

40:28 – Shortcut tools, taste, and Tracklib

50:03 – Can you teach taste?

53:25 – Advice for upcoming producers

55:07 – Motivation, obligation, and gratitude

57:09 – Upcoming projects and vinyl reissues

58:43 – Favorite gear and plugins

1:21:04 – Habits that sabotage creativity

1:25:12 – Work-life balance and “palate cleanse”

1:28:10 – What people misunderstand about the industry

1:30:48 – Movies, books, and advice

1:39:33 – Books every producer should read

1:42:34 – Integrating both lives: lab + music

1:46:22 – Knowing when a beat is finished

1:49:20 – Closing thoughts

List of References from the Interview:

Songs / Artists:

* MF DOOM & Madlib – Madvillainy

* J Dilla – Donuts

* Pete Rock – Petestrumentals

Books / Authors / Podcasts:

* Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday

* Atomic Habits by James Clear

* Scratch (documentary by Doug Pray)

* Roald Dahl

* Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Products / Gear:

* Player Pro by Quadmation (DAW)

* Pioneer CDJ-800

* Pioneer DVJ-X1

* Casio RZ-1 Sampler

* Tracklib

* North Pole VST

* Room Machine 844

* RubyTube plugins

Connect with DJ Grumble:

* YouTube: @dj_grumble

* Instagram: @djgrumble

* Spotify: DJ Grumble

* Apple Music: DJ Grumble

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Credits:

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz. From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

What are ProducerHead Loops?

Gems from past conversations worth running back.

Perfect for when you need a quick hit of inspiration.

This Loop:

In this ProducerHead Loops episode, Metic reflects on quality versus quantity, and how the best music often comes from simply showing up and making more of it. He shares what it means to finish songs, recognize quality through consistency, and navigate the business side of releasing music. Metic reminds us that progress in music comes from persistence: clocking in, finishing, and learning as you go, creatively and professionally.

From Episode: 010. Part 1: The Relationship Between Quality and Quantity, How To Develop Your Sound, And Negotiating Contract Terms | feat. Metic

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Subscribe to ProducerHead

Get new episodes and Loops delivered straight to your inbox. Hit that subscribe button if you’re not already part of the community.

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz.

From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

Why This Episode Matters:

AudioHaze has quietly built an incredibly respected music education platform online. From forensic artist recreations to heartfelt reflections on creativity, his channel has become a masterclass in curiosity and craft. In this conversation, we get into the realities of being a full-time creator, from loneliness and editing marathons to embracing mic bleed, imperfection, and community. His message? The giant leap you’re waiting for probably doesn’t exist. It’s all about the small, painful, necessary steps.

Who is AudioHaze:

Ricky is the creator behind AudioHaze, a YouTube channel focused on recreating iconic artist sounds through real-world setups and deep music education. His work blends technical expertise, production storytelling, and emotional honesty, showing how creativity thrives not in perfection, but in process. He’s collaborated with musicians to recreate everything from The Beatles rooftop sessions to Vulfpeck performances, always breaking down the “how” and the “why” behind great sound.

What We Dive Into:

* The creative isolation of being a solo creator, and how to build community

* Why you don’t need hardware or new plugins to make something great

* Mic bleed, live setups, and the psychology of real collaboration

* The economics of creating: YouTube, Patreon, sponsors, and building income streams

* Fear as a creative fuel and how to avoid burning out

* The myth of the “big break” and the beauty of slow progress

Three Key Takeaways:

* The Monumental Leap is a Monumental Lie: Every breakthrough comes from hundreds of small, invisible steps. The daily grind is the real magic.

* Create to Connect: The more you open up, even when it’s scary, the more meaningful your work becomes.

* Build Around What You Love, Not What You Fear: Sustainable success comes from balancing ambition with joy, community, and rest.

Before You Go:

Think about your own version of small, consistent steps. What’s one thing you can repeat today that no one will see, but that’ll move you closer to where you want to be a year from now?

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

1:00 – What AudioHaze Does

3:42 – Isolation in Creative Work

5:07 – Creating Collaboration Energy

9:22 – Embracing Bleed & Imperfection

13:13 – Breaking Isolation

14:55 – Live First, Fix Later

16:54 – Vulnerability & Connection

22:00 – The Cost of Success

24:00 – Reality vs Expectation

29:32 – Process over Plugins

33:20 – Finding Your Process

35:02 – Plugin Philosophy

37:39 – Pressure & Comparison

39:25 – Metrics That Matter

46:13 – Starting From Zero

50:13 – Fear as a Compass

54:20 – Learning Through Experience

55:21 – Monumental Leaps Are B******t

1:00:11 – Where to Find AudioHaze

1:00:49 – Quick Hits

1:05:44 – Closing Thoughts

1:06:21 – Outro

List of References from the Interview:

Songs / Artists:

* Bon Iver

* Phoebe Bridgers

* Rage Against the Machine

* Vulfpeck

* Radiohead

* Bob Boilen (NPR Tiny Desk)

Products / Gear:

* SM57 Microphone

* Goodhertz (Wow Control, Vulf Compressor, Tone Control)

* Scheps Omni Channel

* Universal Audio 1176 / LA-2A

* Ableton Live

* Plunk by AudioHaze

Connect with AudioHaze:

* YouTube: @AudioHaze

* Instagram: @realaudiohaze

* Website: AudioHaze

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Credits:

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz. From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

What are ProducerHead Loops?

Gems from past conversations worth running back.

Perfect for when you need a quick hit of inspiration.

This Loop:

In this ProducerHead Loops episode, Birocratic digs into the art and business of being a modern producer, where creativity meets sustainability. Known for his clean, groove-heavy production style and a career built on mastery of sampling, Biro shares what it takes to stay motivated, make a living, and keep the music authentic.

From Episode: 008. Part 1: The Art Of Sampling, Motivation, and Making Money As A Music Producer | feat. Birocratic

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Subscribe to ProducerHead

Get new episodes and Loops delivered straight to your inbox. Hit that subscribe button if you’re not already part of the community.

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz.

From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

Why This Episode Matters:

In this episode, Wino Willy opens up about transformation, both personal and creative. He shares how fatherhood, therapy, and music combine to help him overcome depression and obesity, leading to a renewed sense of purpose. His story is one of radical responsibility, taking ownership of change through small steps, community, and gratitude.

Explore the Stories Behind the Beats

Love diving into the stories behind the beats? Subscribe to ProducerHead and join producers and creatives exploring the ideas, habits, and inspiration that drive great music.

Who is Wino Willy:

Wino Willy is a producer, percussionist, and community organizer based in New Orleans. Known for his soulful, sample-rich sound and deep sense of intentionality, he’s collaborated with artists across the underground hip-hop and lo-fi landscape. Beyond the music, he’s a devoted father, husband, and advocate for wellness and connection in creative spaces.

What We Dive Into:

* The link between mental health, movement, and music

* Building sustainable creative habits

* Fatherhood, discipline, and redefining productivity

* Community, collaboration, and the sacred nature of art

Three Key Takeaways:

* Start Small, Stay Consistent: Change doesn’t come from grand gestures it comes from doing the small things daily. A three-minute meditation can become a life-altering habit.

* Community is Wellness: Whether through music scenes, fatherhood groups, or global collaborations, Wino reminds us that healing and creativity thrive in connection.

* Simplicity Creates Depth: The greatest art, and growth, comes from knowing what to leave out. Mastery is doing more with less.

Before You Go:

Ask yourself, what’s one small action you can take today that your future self will thank you for? Whether it’s a three-minute meditation, reaching out to someone in your creative community, or simply expressing gratitude, start there.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

0:24 – Toru Intro + Episode Overview

1:00 – Waking Up at 3AM

3:20 – From Depression to Transformation

5:30 – Small Steps, Big Changes

7:55 – Mindset, Self-Talk, and Growth

10:15 – Grace, Grit, and Getting Up Again

12:30 – Motivational Interviewing & The Power of Gratitude

14:50 – Radical Responsibility

18:55 – Redefining Goals

23:10 – Fatherhood and Time Management

25:35 – Leaving the BS Behind

26:05 – Mid-Episode Break

26:50 – Rejecting Hustle Culture

28:20 – Making Music Sacred Again

30:20 – Creative Systems & Consistency

31:55 – Making Your Own Wave

34:15 – Community in Motion

36:30 – Defining Community

38:30 – The Dad Crew and Loud & Clear

40:10 – On Showing Up Before You Feel Ready

42:15 – In-Person Energy > Online Presence

44:20 – Simplicity & Depth

46:30 – On Ego and Mastery

47:50 – Where to Find Wino

48:45 – Quick Hits

50:50 – Upcoming Shows + OKPlayer Feature

52:40 – Closing Reflections

54:10 – Outro

List of References from the Interview:

Songs/Albums:

* “Space Is the Place” – Sun Ra

* “Midnight Marauders” – A Tribe Called Quest

* “Baduizm” – Erykah Badu

Books/Authors/Podcasts:

* Black Boy by Richard Wright

* Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

* Insight Timer app

Connect with INSERT GUEST:

* Instagram: @winowilly

* Spotify: Wino Willy

* Apple Music: Wino Willy

* YouTube: @winowilly1991

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Credits:

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz. From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

What are ProducerHead Loops?

Gems from past conversations worth running back.

Perfect for when you need a quick hit of inspiration.

This Loop:

WEI digs into the art of letting go. Letting go of songs, perfectionism, and the fear of releases. With an impressively vast amount of tracks in his catalog, WEI breaks down what it means to trust your music enough to share it, and how to balance creativity with control.

From Episode: 005. It Isn’t The Platforms That Connect Us, But The Music. Learning Through Releasing Your Work And Connecting With Your Community.

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Subscribe to ProducerHead

Get new episodes and Loops delivered straight to your inbox. Hit that subscribe button if you’re not already part of the community.

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz.

From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.