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.

Why This Episode Matters:

Dan Rothman isn’t just the guitarist of London Grammar, he’s a prolific songwriter, producer, and collaborator who’s helped carry the band through more than a decade of international success. In this conversation, Dan shares candid reflections on band diplomacy, the power of restraint, and the deep emotional connections that make songs timeless.

Explore the Stories Behind the Beats

Dive into the stories behind the beats. Subscribe to ProducerHead and explore the ideas, habits, and inspiration driving today’s producers.

Who is Dan Rothman:

Dan Rothman is best known as the guitarist and co-founder of London Grammar, the British trio whose atmospheric sound and powerhouse vocals have captivated global audiences. Beyond the band, Dan has written, produced, and collaborated with a wide range of artists, and is carving out a serious path as a songwriter and producer in his own right.

What We Dive Into:

* The balance between being a diplomat and being an artist

* How therapy and self-reflection shaped Dan’s role in the band

* The importance of restraint in guitar and production choices

* Lessons from industry legends (Mark Ronson, Greg Alexander, Sting)

* Why relationships matter more than hit-making formulas

* The beauty of collaboration vs the myth of doing it all alone

Three Key Takeaways:

* Diplomacy keeps bands together - Dan calls himself the “bridge” between personalities, showing how soft skills can be as important as technical ones.

* Restraint is a superpower - from guitar playing to production, leaving space often creates the strongest emotional impact.

* Collaboration > Isolation - even the biggest producers lean on others’ strengths. Great records are born from relationships, not ego.

Before You Go:

Think about your own sessions: are you leaving space for the artist’s voice, or filling it with your own ideas? Try practicing restraint and see what emerges when you focus on trust and emotion over perfection.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

1:25 – Beyond London Grammar?

3:25 – Music as relationships

5:35 – Diplomacy, therapy, and keeping the band together

7:30 – Saying no to “smash hits”

12:30 – The making of “Hey Now”

17:55 – Does hard work make a better song?

23:00 – Deliberation vs spontaneity

24:20 – Guitar tones, amps, and the London Grammar sound

28:40 – The art of restraint in guitar playing

37:20 – Writing songs that move people

41:20 – Emotion over analysis in songwriting

48:00 – California Soil and collaborative creation

50:20 – Returning to DIY and reflecting on Truth Is a Beautiful Thing

57:20 – Collaboration vs doing it all alone

59:50 – Quick Hits

1:06:15 – Closing reflections & outro

List of References from the Interview:

Songs:

* “Hey Now” – London Grammar

* “All My Love” – London Grammar

* “You Only Get What You Give” – New Radicals

* “Message in a Bottle” – The Police

* “Murder on the Dancefloor” – Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Products/Gear:

* Vox AC30

* Fender Twin Reverb

* Strymon Flint pedal

* UAD Ox Box

* H-Delay (Waves)

Connect with Dan:

* YouTube: @Rothmanmusic

* Instagram: @dan.hjrothman

* Spotify: London Grammar

* Apple Music: London Grammar

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, Just Jared shares wisdom for producers at the starting gate, those who’ve just grabbed a Maschine, Ableton, or FL Studio and are wondering where do I even begin? He covers why tutorials give you the language to problem-solve, the importance of applying lessons as you learn them instead of stockpiling knowledge, how creating a clear project goal helps guide your learning, and why perfectionism is really procrastination. Jared reminds us that content and music don’t need to be perfect, they need to be shared.

From Episode: 004. The Shortcut Is The Work: The Truth About What’s Blocking Your Progress. And, The Overlooked Component of Consistency.

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:

Freddie Joachim’s path is a blueprint for balancing passion, persistence, and perspective. From digging for records as a teenager to shaping one of Joey Bada$$’s breakout songs, his career shows how much can happen when you pursure your craft for the love rather than the recognition.

Who is Freddie Joachim:

Freddie Joachim is a DJ, producer, and co-founder of Mellow Orange. With roots in hip-hop, jazz, and soul, he’s known for his warm, sample-based production and timeless beats. His work has been featured by artists like Joey Bada$$ on the track “Waves” and J. Cole’s “False Prophets”, and he’s released numerous instrumental projects while helping build Mellow Orange, a launchpad for many independent producers. Beyond his catalog, Freddie has performed worldwide and recently took part in Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat, where he collaborated with legends and emerging artists alike.

What We Dive Into:

* How skateboarding videos and DJ battles sparked his love for underground music

* Transitioning from DJ to producer and building confidence in his craft

* Founding Mellow Orange and creating opportunities for other artists

* The story behind Joey Bada$$’s “Waves” and J. Cole’s “False Prophets”

* Lessons from Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat and the power of community

* Redefining success and creativity on his own terms today

Three Key Takeaways:

* Focus on creation, not numbers. For Freddie, success comes from putting out music you’re proud of, and not chasing streams or clicks.

* Stay open to evolution. From DJing, to sampling, to learning instruments, growth comes from constantly challenging your process.

* Collaboration is powerful. Whether it’s Mellow Orange or Playlist Retreat, the connections you make can shape your career in ways you don’t expect.

Support ProducerHead

If these conversations about creativity, community, and the stories behind the beats resonate with you, consider subscribing to ProducerHead. Join producers and creatives who are diving deeper into what drives us to make music.

Before You Go:

Think about what success means for you. Is it numbers, recognition, or simply releasing something you love? Like Freddie, set small, attainable goals and let them fuel your long-term growth.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:20 – Early influences

11:45 – Lessons from DJing: moving a crowd and song structure

13:05 – Transition into production: looping breaks and scratching over samples

21:40 – Balancing DJing and production, from battles to beat-making

25:00 – The shift toward production and the rise of the beat scene

46:15 – J. Cole reaching out for “False Prophets”

52:40 – Making “Waves” and unexpected recognition

56:20 – Redefining success and building his dream studio

1:00:20 – Focusing on projects you can control vs chasing numbers

1:12:30 – Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat: collaboration, heroes, and confidence

1:23:45 – Quick Hits

1:36:30 – Balancing music, family, and raising his son

1:38:25 – Upcoming projects and independence as a producer

1:40:20 – Closing reflections: staying calm, being kind, and avoiding negativity

1:42:05 – Outro

List of References from the Interview:

Songs:

* “Waves” – Joey Bada$$ (prod. Freddie Joachim)

* “False Prophets” – J. Cole (prod. Freddie Joachim)

Products/Tools:

* Ableton (Live, Push 2, Move)

* Maschine

* MPC X

* SP-404

* Serato

* Output Arcade

* Native Instruments Kontakt

* XLN Audio RC-20

* Melbourne Instruments (rotary controller)

Connect with Freddie Joachim:

* YouTube: Freddie Joachim

* Instagram: @freddiejoachim

* Spotify: Freddie Joachim

* Apple Music: Freddie Joachim

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.