025. Gnarly, Part 1: Finger Drumming Helped Me Escape From a Bad Place

In this episode, Toru sits down with Gnarly, a finger drumming phenom and hip-hop producer who transformed her craft into a career. From her early days experimenting with pad controllers to performing live and collaborating with major brands, Gnarly shares her journey of perseverance and creativity. Whether you're a producer looking to learn finger drumming or just seeking inspiration, this episode has something for you.

Throughout the episode we discuss:

* Gnarly’s journey from bedroom producer to finger drumming pioneer.

* The role of social media in building her career.

* Tips for learning finger drumming and improving technique.

* How beat challenges helped her develop consistency and workflow.

* The importance of finding balance between creativity and self-care.

Three Meaningful Takeaways:

* Consistency Builds Skill: Gnarly emphasizes the value of daily practice, even if it’s just uploading rough drafts to social media.

* Embrace Imperfections: Early practice videos were more about learning than perfection, showing that progress matters more than polish.

* Build Your Community, Not Just Your Following: Creating authentic connections with engaged followers is more impactful than chasing viral numbers.

List of References from the Interview:

Products:

Native Instruments Maschine

Connect with Gnarly:

* Instagram: @gnarly.music

* Website: https://www.gnarlymusic.co.uk/

* Spotify: Gnarly

* Apple Music: Gnarly

* Youtube: Gnarly

* Domestika Course: Learn With Gnarly Here

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.

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