ProducerHead toru

Welcome to part two of this two part episode with Ian Ewing.
Today's guest is Ian Ewing, a self-taught instrumentalist, producer and artist who blends a smooth mix of hip hop, electronica, and R&B to create a sound that has been supported and showcased by Chillhop Music, SiriusXM, BBC One Extra, Soulection, Complexion's Future Beats Show, and many others.
At a young age, the Southern California-based artist (by way of Wisconsin) fell in love with hip hop and the history behind it. This was his gateway into electronic beat production where he finds himself today, as he strives to create ambient compositions of sample-based sounds blended with his own instrumentation.
Ewing has headlined various shows across the US, and has both collaborated and toured with artists including Flamingosis, Louis Futon, Joey Pecoraro, Anomalie, Galimatias, and Cautious Clay.
In this conversation:
- The pro's and con's of having an over-analytical perspective.
- Making music that is true to who you are creatively and musically.
- The importance of the work behind the scenes.
- How creating art that is in line with what is interesting to you leads to a more sustainable path.
- And, we even get a little insight in to Ian's passion for hummus.
If you haven't already, I invite you to listen to Part 1 of this conversation, as we covered several topics from Ian's unique and experienced perspective.
Alright, with all of that said, let's drop in to Part 2 of this conversation with Ian Ewing.
Top 3 Gems From This Convo:
1. YOUR MUSIC IS A SELF-PORTRAIT AND OFFERS A REFLECTION.
If you’re wondering how you’re doing in general, observe what you make.
How does it make you feel?
Can you hear that you’ve skipped meals, rest, and other forms of nourishment that supports your creative work?
2. BE KIND TO YOURSELF IN THE WORLD OF CONTENT CREATION.
Making music and content are each challenging tasks on their own. Combining them, even more so.
Therefore, allow your content to flow naturally out of the way you work so that you can avoid creating unnecessary work for yourself.
By the way, make content that you enjoy making.
3. MAKING MUSIC THAT IS TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE.
Playlists offer an opportunity for growth and exposure.
And, may encourage fitting in over exploring your own artistic development.
Only you may really know when you are being honest to your artistic visions and personal principles.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tap in with toru:
Substack:
Instagram: @torubeat
tiktok: @torubeat
Tap in with Ian Ewing:
Instagram: @ianewingmusic
Website: https://ianewingmusic.com/
To jump to a specific moment in the conversation:
0:00 Intro
2:38 Music and Music As A Career
10:50 Energy Sources of Motivation
15:40 Making Music That Feels Right and Ian's New Live Album
23:00 The Tension Between Music and Short Form Content
27:00 Alignment of Your Content and Your Music
31:30 Listening Session - Track 2/Discussion
37:27 Listening Session - Track 3/Discussion
41:20 Ian's New and Upcoming Projects
42:52 Quick Questions
55:20 Closing It Down
56:30 Outro
Referenced:
Below songs are archived here (along with all other episodes).
Chaka Khan, Lew Hahn - Move Me No Mountain
Dani Desh - Night Station


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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit torubeat.substack.com

Welcome to part one of this two part episode with Ian Ewing.
Today's guest is Ian Ewing, a self-taught instrumentalist, producer and artist who blends a smooth mix of hip hop, electronica, and R&B to create a sound that has been supported and showcased by Chillhop Music, SiriusXM, BBC One Extra, Soulection, Complexion's Future Beats Show, and many others.
At a young age, the Southern California-based artist (by way of Wisconsin) fell in love with hip hop and the history behind it. This was his gateway into electronic beat production where he finds himself today, as he strives to create ambient compositions of sample-based sounds blended with his own instrumentation.
Ewing has headlined various shows across the US, and has both collaborated and toured with artists including Flamingosis, Louis Futon, Joey Pecoraro, Anomalie, Galimatias, and Cautious Clay.
- Making better decisions versus more decisions.
- The value of observing your playing through recording.
- The relationship between effort expended and quality of art made.
- Applying a "Fire and Forget" mindset in the studio.
- The impact and connection between routines in your professional and personal life.
- The Value of Defining Your Own Success.
- And, so much more.
Top 3 Gems From This Convo:
1. MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, NOT MORE DECISIONS.
There is not a direct relationship between the quantity of your decisions or complexity in your process and the quality of what you produce.
Remember this the next time you are immersed in your process.
2. MORE NOTES DOES NOT EQUAL MORE MUSIC.
Allow understanding what serves the music to be your guide. Record yourself playing and practicing and ask yourself what may be removed without reducing the song.
3. DEFINE YOUR OWN SUCCESS.
In today’s environment, there is considerable external pressure imposing definitions of success.
Take ownership of your success by choosing to define it.
In doing so, you succeed on your own terms with an understanding of what is within your control.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tap in with toru:
Substack:
Instagram: @torubeat
tiktok: @torubeat
Tap in with Ian Ewing:
Instagram: @ianewingmusic
To jump to a specific moment in the conversation:
0:00 Intro
2:50 Listening Session, Track 1
11:10 Recording and Listening to Yourself
15:30 Decisions: Making More v. Better
18:18 The Relationship Between Effort and Quality of Work
21:35 Ian’s “Fire and Forget” Mentality
23:25 The Value and Impact of Routines Inside and Outside of Production
26:30 Being In and Out of The Studio Consistently
29:10 Protecting Quality of Your Creative Time Regardless of its Quantity
30:50 Be Flexible In How Creativity Gets Done
31:52 Pearls On A String
32:55 Rack Up W’s For Yourself
35:00 Maintaining Pride and Encouragement Around What You Do
37:00 A More Expansive Perspective On Productivity
38:00 Operating From A Place Of Compassionate Discipline
41:30 10 Years Of Experience Teaches You There’s More To It Than Hard Work
45:50 Working With Uncertainty
50:35 Thoughts On Optimism
51:50 Outro And Preview of Part 2
Referenced:
Open Studio - A resource for piano and music education.
Stutz - String of Pearls

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit torubeat.substack.com

Welcome to part two of this two part episode with Metic.
Today's guest is Metic, a producer who fuses soulful guitar grooves with laid-back hip-hop beats.
His playing is rooted in blues and finger-style guitar and his productions are informed by 90s boom-bap, G-funk, and trip-hop.
A frequent collaborator, the Brooklyn-based, Hong Kong native continues to draw inspiration from both cities.
This is showcased in his album release: Thoughts on Home and Symmetry, which documents his life and travels across his home and hometown.
In Part Two of this two-part conversation, we discuss:
- Quality versus quantity as it pertains to relationships.
- Metic's experience releasing vinyl using crowdfunding through Qrates as well owning the process independently.
- The three major categories of work as an artist and how to approach allocating your energy across each one.
- Managing expectations in a way that allows you to maintain forward motion.
- And, a reminder that you don't have to be good at everything in order to succeed.
By the way…If you haven't already, I invite you to listen to Part 1 of this conversation for additional context as some topics re-emerge and develop.
Top 3 Gems From This Convo:
1. The Craft Is At The Core.
Today’s artist is expected to take on many responsibilities beyond the making of the art. However, it is important to find a way to be sure you are prioritizing what is at the heart of what you do: make art.
2. Learning To Say No.
This we know: It isn’t possible to do everything.
So, when an opportunity arises that is not aligned with your goals, outside of your capacity, or simply uninteresting, it’s OK to say no.
3. You Don’t Have To Be The Best At Everything.
As mentioned in Podium #5, “Success Occurs In The Privacy Of The Soul.”
Assess your talents and abilities as objectively as possible. Do what you can with what you have. You’re lack of knowledge or skill in one area does not necessarily prohibit success.
Remember: A skill is not a static quality, but a learned and dynamic ability that changes based on the attention we invest.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tap in with toru:
Substack:
Instagram: @torubeat
tiktok: @torubeat
Tap in with Metic:
Instagram: @meticmusic
To jump to a specific moment in the conversation:
0:00 Intro
2:22 All Terms Are Negotiable
4:30 Quality v. Quantity in Relationships
6:03 The Process of Releasing Vinyl
11:30 Discoverability and Relationships
15:00 The Three Categories of Work As An Artist
19:50 Setting Expectations
22:55 The Pressure To Be Everywhere
24:30 Establishing Priorities and Saying No
25:20 Upcoming Projects
27:55 Quick Questions
37:10 Closing
38:29 Show Your Love For ProducerHead
Thanks for reading toru’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.




This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit torubeat.substack.com

Welcome to part one of this two part episode with Metic
Today's guest is Metic, a producer who fuses soulful guitar grooves with laid-back hip-hop beats.
His playing is rooted in blues and finger-style guitar and his productions are informed by 90s boom-bap, G-funk, and trip-hop.
A frequent collaborator, the Brooklyn-based, Hong Kong native continues to draw inspiration from both cities.
This is showcased in his album release: Thoughts on Home and Symmetry, which documents his life and travels across his home and hometown.
In the first part of this two part episode, we talk about:
Quality versus quantity as it pertains to music.
Finishing existing projects versus starting new ones.
Navigating creative blocks.
Thoughts on releasing music independently as well as with labels.
Negotiation and being OK with walking away from a deal that doesn't feel right.
And, we listen to a range of tunes brought in by Metic himself.
Top 3 Gems From This Convo:
1. The Path To Quality Runs Through Quantity.
No matter where you are in your exploration of creativity, keep going.
The experience and process of production will always provide valuable information when done genuinely and consistently over time.
2. Working with labels is ONE option, not THE option.
Choose your collaborators thoughtfully and wisely according to your goals.
3. If it doesn’t feel right, walk away.
You cannot build a relationship with everyone. Notice when a spirit of scarcity is guiding your decision-making.
Remember: Saying no to an opportunity that is not a good fit creates room for one that is.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tap in with toru:
Substack:
Instagram: @torubeat
tiktok: @torubeat
Tap in with Metic:
Instagram: @meticmusic
To jump to a specific moment in the conversation:
0:00 Intro
1:47 Listening Session
2:12 Track 1 and Discussion
10:15 Track 2 and Discussion
17:44 Track 3 and Discussion
26:40 Quality v. Quantity
28:10 Recognizing Quality In Your Own Work
30:00 Forcing It
31:40 Release Strategies
33:59 All Contract Terms Are Negotiable
37:18 Outro
Thanks for reading toru’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.




This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit torubeat.substack.com

Welcome to part two of this two part episode with Nothing_Neue.
Today's guest is Nothing_Neue, a Brooklyn born Producer/Beatmaker, and Artist, focused on creating worlds out of music.
In 2023, he was signed to the Los Angeles-based, Alpha Pup Records, which as been considered a top-tier indie label for years, releasing projects from a wide variety of artists, including: Mike Gao, Nosaj Thing, Free The Robots, Dibia$e, Jonwayne, and Daedelus.
Welcome to Part 2 of this two part conversation with Nothing_Neue, where we discuss:
- Developing the ability to view consequences and results with more objectivity.
- Applying that objectivity to content creation and the resulting feedback.
- How Nothing_Neue demonstrates his values and contributes to community.
- Encouragement and ideas for sharing your own voice.
- and, Nothing_Neue shares technical and emotive perspective for mixing. So, if you're working on a mix, get ready to take in some gems.
As always, the conversation found its own way to some other interesting areas and topics to help you re-think how you're working and where you may be able to experiment.
If you haven't already, go back and listen to Part 1 with Nothing_Neue to take in more of his experience and insights. I assure you, there are many.
If you've already heard Part 1 with Nothing_Neue, I highly recommend listening to a previous episode you may have missed.

Top 3 Gems From This Convo:
1. CONNECT THE LONG-TERM AND THE DAY-TO-DAY.
Adopting a long-term view and patience in how you build a project or career by definition creates a large project.
Break apart the long-term view into actionable steps that can be taken today, at a pace that can be maintained indefinitely.
2. YOU CAN SEE LESS THAN YOU CAN’T.
Give yourself and others the benefit of the doubt.
There are an infinite number of things happening in the lives of others that are not visible to you.
3. BE AN ACTIVE AND GENEROUS MEMBER OF YOUR COMMUNITY
How can you share what it is you see to help others?
When you help others grow, you grow.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tap in with toru:
Substack:
Instagram: @torubeat
tiktok: @torubeat
Tap in with Nothing_Neue:
Instagram: @nothing_neue
To jump to a specific moment in the conversation:
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:56 Building v. Buying Longevity
4:45 Peaks and Valleys
5:20 Day-to-Day Mentality and Sustainability
6:50 Defining Success
9:10 Bring objectivity into how you view your career
16:15 Community
22:25 Mixing Philosophy and Tactics
26:45 In Plain Sight
31:25 Upcoming Projects
32:55 Quick Hit Round
49:10 Outro Info
Referenced:
Designer Signed by Kanye
In Plain Sight Radio on Instagram
Thanks for reading toru’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.




This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit torubeat.substack.com

Welcome to part one, of this two part episode with Nothing_Neue.
Today's guest is Nothing_Neue, a Brooklyn born Producer/Beatmaker, and Artist, focused on creating worlds out of music.
In 2023, he was signed to the Los Angeles-based, Alpha Pup Records, which as been considered a top-tier indie label for years, releasing projects from a wide variety of artists, including: Mike Gao, Nosaj Thing, Free The Robots, Dibia$e, Jonwayne, and Daedelus.
In the first part of this two part episode, we talk about:
Nothing_Neue's signing to AlphaPup and its impact on his life as an artist.
Learning to embrace and trust your own judgment.
Internal and external encouragement and its role in pursuing goals.
How Nothing_Neue processes feedback that doesn't line up with his own feelings about his work.
How Nothing_Neue applies an entrepreneurial mindset to his art.
Embracing longevity as a strategy in an era of instant feedback and gratification.
How achievement of a big goal can bring about sadness.
And, Nothing_Neue brings a few songs for us to listen to and discuss.
As always, this was a lot of fun and provides insight and context into Nothing_Neue's musical perspective.
Top 3 Gems From This Convo:
1. ACHIEVING A BIG GOAL CAN BRING ABOUT SADNESS.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that achieiving that big goal (e.g. getting signed to a label) will solve the problems in your life.
Be thoughtful and intentional about the way you set expectations and goals for yourself.
2. OPERATE FROM A PLACE OF TRUTH
You don’t have to take part in business to make music, but if you want to participate in the music business, you will have to figure out how to make this work for you in a way that matches your prinicples.
If you feel like making money from your music requires a fundamental compromise of your values, do not do it. You can earn money in many other ways.
3. LONGEVITY AS A PRIORITY
If your goals are to build a durable and lasting career, ensure that the way you work and build are aligned accordingly. It will take practice, but learn to say no to the short-term and surface level wins that are not harmonious with your goals.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tap in with toru:
Substack:
Instagram: @torubeat
tiktok: @torubeat
Tap in with Nothing_Neue:
Instagram: @nothing_neue
To jump to a specific moment in the conversation:
0:00 Intro
2:04 Welcome
2:38 Listening Session, Track 1
6:44 Discussion, Track 1
9:08 Listening Session, Track 2
13:09 Discussion, Track 2
17:06 Listening Session, Track 3
20:18 Discussion, Track 3
24:50 Alpha Pup signing
27:50 Double Down On You
31:40 Encouragement
33:50 How to take outside feedback and opinion
37:00 People pleasing
37:30 Entrepreneurial Mindset As An Artist
41:00 Longevity As A Priority
43:25 Sensitivity Around Money And Art
45:00 Don't Infringe On Your Truth
46:26 Transparency
48:00 Reaching A Big Goal Can Bring About Sadness
50:44 Outro
Referenced:
Yoofee - I Know
Showbiz & A.G. - All Out
Flying Lotus - Massage Situation
Designer Signed by Kanye
Thanks for reading toru’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.




This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit torubeat.substack.com