Show notes
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: @torubeattiktok: @torubeatTap in with Ian Ewing:Instagram: @ianewingmusicTo jump to a specific moment in the conversation:0:00 Intro 2:50 Listening Session, Track 111:10 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 2Referenced:Open Studio - A resource for piano and music education.Stutz - String of PearlsThanks for reading toru’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to ProducerHead at producerhead.substack.com/subscribe
