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:

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

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

3. 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.