Libsyn Directory

Toru - Host of the ProducerHead Podcast

Release Date: 06/16/2025

Matt Tinkler - The Path to Creative Independence

Music Production Podcast

Matt Tinkler is a musician, educator, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He runs a the Aspect Music Academy and makes music as Chronitect. Matt’s YouTube channel is a great resource for learning music production and creative workflows. Matt and I spoke in depth about the creative process and how he makes music. He shared his 5 I’s of Ideation workflow, as well as how he helps students turn their ideas into finished tracks. I’ve been following Matt’s work for a long time and it was a lot of fun speaking with him. Enrollments for Matt's Aspect Music Academy's 24-week structured...

Blankfor.ms and Aqeel Aadam - Collaborating, Production, Plug-in Making

Music Production Podcast

Aqeel Aadam is the founder of Aqeel Aadam Sound plug-ins and Tyler Gilmore makes music as Blankfor.ms. Aqeel and Tyler have just released Outgrowth, a sample-based plug-in and iOS app. Outgrowth allows you to manipulate and reimagine samples in playful and unique way. Aqeel and Tyler spoke to me about their collaboration on the new plug-in, and how they came to work together. We covered the creative process of developing plug-ins and some of the artistic choices and sacrifices made to help create a device that is inspiring and deep without being overwhelming. Tyler discussed the inspiration...

Brad Barr on Songwriting, Human Imperfections, and Minimalism

Music Production Podcast

Brad Barr is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and, along with his brother Andrew, is half of the Americana, folk-rock group the Barr Brothers. The Barr Brothers just released their new album, Let it Hiss, which has a more vulnerable, stripped-down sound that embraces human imperfection and spirit. Brad and I had a great conversation about songwriting and the production of the Barr Brothers’ new album Let it Hiss. Brad shared how a minimalist approach, including a 4-string guitar, helped guide the songwriting and production of the new record. Brad even demonstrated his polyester...

7 Tips for a Successful #Jamuary2026

Music Production Podcast

It's time for Jamuary, a challenge to create music and share it each day during the month of January. Jamuary is a powerful way to start your year with a creative bang! In this episode, I share 7 tips that will help you make the most of Jamuary and maximize your productivity and creativity! Listen on , , Links: Join the Music Production Club! - My free #jamuary2026 Prompts - My #Jamuary2026 Playlist - Music Production Club #Jamuary2026 Playlist - 31x Your Creativity with Jamuary 2025 - Don't Lose Twice and 3 Book Recommendations - Jamuary Lessons - ...

How to Keep Creating When Life Gets Busy with Joshua Blum

Music Production Podcast

Joshua Blum is the host of The Thirteenth Hour Podcast, a show about the creative process as it relates to writing, music, and imagination. He’s also the author of The Thirteenth Hour, a fantasy adventure novel, and the creator of Once Upon a Dream—an 80’s-inspired synth soundtrack to accompany the book. Josh builds a rich creative world around his stories, blending music, writing, and visual art to tell bigger, immersive narratives. In this conversation, we talk about the routines, strategies, and mindset shifts that help Josh stay creative while managing the demands of everyday life....

Snakes of Russia - Emotion Over Perfection

Music Production Podcast

Joseph Holiday, who releases music as Snakes of Russia, returns to the podcast to talk about his latest album, Swallowed Whole Through the Mouth of Eternity. Joseph’s music blends modular textures to create dark, moody, cinematic soundscapes. In this episode, we talk about how Joseph’s approach has evolved since our last conversation, why limitations fuel his creativity, and how visual storytelling influences his sound design. We get into his production workflow, how he finishes music quickly without overthinking, and why his favorite creative moments often come from accidents. We...

Tommy Zee - Stop Drinking from the Infinite Well

Music Production Podcast

Tommy Zee runs Tommy Zee and Co., a music production company that creates music for some of the world’s largest brands like Nike, Adidas, Google, Sony, and more. He also runs Making Music for Brands, a platform where he teaches producers how to build careers creating music for commercial projects. This is the fourth time I’ve had Tommy on the podcast, and every time we talk, I walk away feeling inspired and energized. In this episode, we talk about the evolving role of artists in a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation. We explore how commercial work shaped Tommy’s...

Tom Cosm - Telepathic Instruments Co-Founder and Ableton Certified Trainer

Music Production Podcast

Tom Cosm is an electronic musician, Ableton Certified Trainer, and the technical co-founder of Telepathic Instruments. Widely known for his early Ableton Live tutorials and inventive use of hacked gear, Tom has built a reputation as a true audio mad scientist—transforming data, brainwaves, and even bugs into expressive sound. In this conversation, Tom shares his journey from early YouTube educator to the co-creator of Orchid, a new instrument, dreamt up by Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, built to spark musical ideas with immediacy and joy. We explore the evolution of his creative philosophy, how...

Plug-in Development and Live Performance with Soap Audio's Tom Carpenter

Music Production Podcast

Tom Carpenter is a musician, producer, and plug-in developer. He is currently on tour with his 3-piece indie electronic band, Moon Tower. Tom is a co-founder of Soap Audio, who recently released Soap Voice Cleaner, a plug-in designed to easily clean up spoke word audio. I spoke with Tom about his tour, Moon Tower, and Soap Voice Cleaner. Tom shared his thoughts on creativity and collaboration in both a band setting and as a programmer. We also explored how Tom has found multiple avenues to build a career in the music industry. This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio and their new plug-in...

#410: Your Best Music is Dying: 10 Habits of Prolific Music Producers

Music Production Podcast

Is your best music not getting made? Do you struggle through the process? This video contains 10 habits of prolific music producers. Adopt them into your music making and let your best music come to life! Every time we make music is a unique and special experience. We will never be in exactly the same place again. We have to take advantage of each moment we get otherwise, that music will never get made. Listen on , , Takeaways: Every music creation moment is unique and special. Prolific music production requires consistent practice. Don't wait for the perfect...

More Episodes

Julian Astri, aka Toru, is a music producer, educator, and the host of the ProducerHead Podcast, a show dedicated to amplifying the voices of beatmakers, producers, and creatives at every stage of their journey. Through his work, Toru fosters a culture of consistency, curiosity, and community in music production—offering motivation and real-world insight through interviews, daily posts, and personal reflection.

In this conversation, Toru and I explore the power of creative discipline, the value of sharing imperfect work, and how building in public can lead to deep personal growth and meaningful connection. We talk about the origins of ProducerHead, the importance of community for producers working in isolation, and how showing up consistently—even with low expectations—can create long-term momentum. It’s an inspiring and down-to-earth look at what it means to be a modern music maker.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

⸻

Takeaways

• ProducerHead’s Origin Story – Julian shares how a need for community and consistency led to the launch of his podcast and beatmaking platform.

• Post Imperfect, Grow Anyway – Publishing unfinished or imperfect ideas helps develop confidence and invites authentic connection.

• Small Moves, Big Impact – Showing up daily in small ways can be more powerful than rare moments of brilliance.

• Build the Community You Need – Julian talks about intentionally creating a space for like-minded producers who want to share, grow, and stay accountable.

• Creative Momentum Is Built, Not Found – Progress comes from doing, not waiting for inspiration to strike.

• The Power of Consistency – From Instagram beat snippets to podcast episodes, repetition builds clarity, skill, and confidence.

• Social Media as Practice Space – Instead of chasing perfection, Julian treats social platforms as a rehearsal room for sharing ideas and learning out loud.

• No One Is Paying as Much Attention as You Think – Letting go of perfectionism frees you to take more creative risks and build resilience.

• Making Music Is a Long Game – Julian encourages artists to detach from quick results and focus on process and community over metrics.

• Sharing the Process Is the Art – ProducerHead is not just about final products—it’s about showing the journey of making music and staying creative.

⸻

Links:

⸻

Thank you for listening.

Please rate and review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite app.

Visit BrianFunk.com for tutorials, videos, downloads, and sound design tools for Ableton Live.

TOPICS