TORCH

Gregory Sgrulloni, better known by his artist moniker “TORCH”, is an electronic drummer and producer best known for his work with Conspirator and Sistine Criminals. Having shared the stage with a growing list of artists such as Manic Focus, Griz, Big Gigantic, Lettuce, Break Science, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Method Man, Mobb Deep, BioDiesel, Lotus and The New Deal, TORCH is fast becoming an in-demand drummer within the electronic music scene. In addition, he has also performed and/or worked with Grammy Award winning artist Esperanza Spalding, Grammy Award winning and multi-platinum selling producer Dawaun Parker (Aftermath Entertainment), jazz greats Billy Pierce and Joe Lovano, “CHIC” bassist Jerry Barnes, as well as being featured on the Hannibal Buress show.

Greg “TORCH” Sgrulloni’s life long obsession with music began at age 5 when he taught himself to play piano and write songs. At age 13, he started to play drums, and throughout his formative years, he received formal training that included music theory, concert percussion, drum-line and jazz and funk ensembles. He then went on to attend the Berklee College of Music graduating with a B.A. in Drumset Performance. His early drumming influences include John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Lenny White, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, and Jeff “Tain” Watts.

While at Berklee College of Music, TORCH went through a period exclusively listening to and emulating the beats and rhythms of electronic music. He discovered that the drum patterns that producers wrote were often unconventional in comparison to what a live drummer would naturally play. The rhythms were mechanical, precise, loop and sample based, textured, layered and reached tempos, combinations and subdivisions that were atypical of live drumming. With this insight, TORCH developed original concepts that led to the creation of his own unique drumming approach, philosophy, and style.

“Chances are that with the vast history of drummers, music and vocabulary that existed before electronic music… everything has already been played. When it comes to the world of electronic music, it’s still very new territory to explore. I see an opportunity to create something new and futuristic. In regards to technique, it forces me to think beyond my limitations as a live drummer. In a sense, this music pushes me to explore my capabilities technically and mentally and to constantly rethink my limitations. I try to approach the drums as a producer, DJ or as if I were a drum machine; studying beats of various electronic genres, experimenting with my physiology, set up, drum tunings and stick positioning to achieve a certain sound or attack.”

TORCH is known for his dynamic live performances within the underground music scene of NYC. He creates a display of technical ability combined with improvisation and experimentation, with a rhythmic vocabulary rooted in the genres of Trap, House, Jungle/DnB, Dubstep, and Break Beats as well as the scattered and spastic rhythms of IDM and Breakcore.

In 2014, TORCH was ranked #4 on Adam Deitch’s “Top 10 Most Exciting Drummers in the Scene” as well as receiving Honorable Mention in the “Top 10 EDM Drummers of 2014” on theUNTZ.com.

TORCH is currently on tour and performing live with Conspirator, Manic Focus, Subtle Skies, and Sistine Criminals. He is also currently preparing for his up and coming solo project aptly entitled “TORCH.”