Guitarist, composer and educator Rez Abbasi joins T L Mazumdar for a conversation that begins with music but doesn’t end there. Born in Karachi and raised in California, NYC-based guitarist Rez Abbasi has long been a bridge between worlds: jazz, South Asian and urban traditions, intellect and instinct, virtuosic precision and play.  A teacher at the New School in New York, apart from being a touring and recording artist, he is known for a sound that is as fearless as it is fluid, garnering him a brand of quiet, irrefutable respect amongst peers and audiences alike that is rare in the current music industry.  His latest album Sound Remains, dedicated to his late mother, becomes the quiet centrepiece of this exchange.  We talk about what happens when music begins to outgrow technique and extrinsic goals, when surrender starts to feel more powerful than control.   We touch on how ‘jazz’, in its modern form, has grown increasingly slick, and how that polish both reveals and conceals something about the times we live in.    Mentoring comes up as well. Not as a profession, but as a practice in awareness, a way of transmitting freedom rather than formulas.   As the dialogue deepens, it becomes less about the conventional mechanics of music and more about what keeps us playing at all.    Rez speaks of loss and of finding presence inside it. I share how the the loss of my father last year, and recent health-scare of my mother, peeled away my tolerance for pretense in an industry  and lifestyle in a world where so many of us still feel pressured to play along with very questionable rules. What emerges is not grief alone, but a quiet clarity about why we keep returning to sound after the noise fades.   (This is the official edited release of our exchange. The uncut version lives inside the community.) Complete Episode https://www.reztone.com/ https://findtl.com Join the first cohort of my Artist Mastermind and get your first month free.  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses 1:1 Mentoring:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/1-on-1-mentorship   Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com

You play the gig. You get the praise.  Then silence.  You send the pitch. No reply.  Then—out of nowhere—a playlist bite. Enough to keep you hooked. Not enough to feel whole. This episode is about a subtle but powerful loop most artists find themselves in without even realizing it:   **Intermittent reinforcement**—a reward system rooted in the nervous system, mirrored in the music industry, and normalized in relationships, rehearsal rooms, and even digital platforms.   In this solo episode, I explore: – What intermittent reinforcement actually is (beyond pop psych)  – How it shows up in artist careers through gigs, praise, playlists, and power dynamics  – Why our nervous systems get addicted to “maybe”  – How scenes like *Whiplash* aren’t just cinema—they’re memory  – And what a healthier, rhythm-based alternative could look like This one’s personal. For every artist who’s confused their grind for devotion.   For every creator who's stayed too long because something *almost* happened once.   📝 Join the Free Training:  → https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/artist-mindmap   📖 Read the full blog post (with academic references):   👉 https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/blog/artists-and-intermittent-reinforcement   🎓 Explore coaching + courses for independent artists:   👉 holisticmusicianacademy.com ––– 🧭 Work with me:  → C.I.A.R. self-paced course: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/ciar   → HMA group coaching & 1:1 mentorships https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/coaching   📲 Connect:  IG: @everynowheremusic   YT: Tapasya Loading   Podcast archive: https://www.tapasyaloading.com/

Art often emerges as a vital sanctuary for those navigating life's deepest fractures, offering a sense of connection and safety. Yet, this very refuge can unwittingly evolve into a subtle trap, where unprocessed wounds forge unbreakable ties that blur the line. As artists chase authenticity and belonging, they may find themselves ensnared in cycles of pain and relief that hinder true growth and joy.  Unprocessed trauma can distort the mind into mistaking familiar feelings (even if painful) for safety, and survival for intimacy.   Free Training: artistmindmap.com   Read the blog post.   Join the first cohort of my Artist Mastermind and get your first month free.  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching   Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses   1:1 Mentoring:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/1-on-1-mentorship  

In the fast-paced world of independent artistry, the concept of "hustle" has evolved from a symbol of self-reliance to a relentless pressure to produce and promote without pause. This episode delves into the historical roots and modern implications of hustle culture, revealing how it has shifted from a tool for liberation to a potential trap that can erode an artist's inner life and creative joy.  Free Training: artistmindmap.com   Read the blog post.   Join the first cohort of my Artist Mastermind and get your first month free.  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching   Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses   1:1 Mentoring:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/1-on-1-mentorship

Composer, sarodist, and cultural shapeshifter Soumik Datta joins T.L. Mazumdar for a conversation that goes far beyond the usual talk of craft and career. Born in Mumbai and raised in London, Soumik grew up between cultures, mentored by Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta in Kolkata and later trained in composition at Trinity Laban.  Today, he stands as one of the rare contemporary artists bridging heritage and innovation with equal devotion. His work spans collaborations with Beyoncé, Anoushka Shankar, Nitin Sawhney, Akram Khan, and the BBC Singers, as well as large-scale projects through his own organisation, Soumik Datta Arts. But what makes his story compelling isn’t the résumé — it’s the restlessness underneath it. In this conversation, we revisit the early years and the quiet ways we both learned what it meant to be ‘othered’, long before we had the language for it. We talk about the invisible labour behind becoming a professional artist, the parts of the iceberg that rarely see daylight, and why the industry’s current definition of a “professional musician” might not be serving anyone — not the artist, not the audience, not the art. This is the official edited release of our exchange. The complete, unedited version — with all the silences, laughter, and contradictions intact — lives exclusively inside the community. https://www.soumikdatta.com/ https://findtl.com Complete Episode  

A real mentor isn’t someone polishing your next single for the algorithm. They’re a guide who holds space for your whole journey—creative, human, and messy. In a world crowded with 'coaches' promising shortcuts, the difference lies in lived craft and soul. Real mentorship goes deeper than strategy.  This piece unpacks the myths and points to what matters: a mentor who’s both a practicing artist and a trusted guide, who understands that evolution is about becoming—not just producing.    Free Training: artistmindmap.com   Read the blog post.   Join the first cohort of my Artist Mastermind and get your first month free.  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching   Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses   1:1 Mentoring:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/1-on-1-mentorship  

What happens when social expectations collide with artistic vision? In this episode, vocalist, producer, and founder of Tamil Jazz Collective, Harini Iyer shares her journey of carving out a path beyond conventional definitions of success. With a diverse background including engineering and business analysis, and a Grammy nomination as part of a Berklee ensemble, Harini’s story bridges the worlds of structure and improvisation. From navigating the pressures of tradition, playing the quintessential overachieving immigrant, to experiencing the double-edged sword of virality, we riff on the setbacks that shape resilience and the breakthroughs that led to her unique artistic voice.    This episode is brought to you by Holistic Musician Academy.   Group Coaching:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching   Course: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/ciar   Coaching:  https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/coaching   Download my FREE 'Artist Mindmap'. A one-page mini-masterclass for independent musicians. Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com

In today's creative landscape, the multi-hyphenate identity—where artists juggle roles like musician-producer-coach—has become a badge of survival, but it often masks deeper struggles in an unforgiving economy. While diversification promises adaptability, it can lead to fragmentation, diluting the very passion that fuels artistic pursuits. Experts warn of the invisible tradeoffs, where spreading too thin risks sacrificing true mastery for mere breadth. Yet, beneath this hustle lies a path to genuine alignment, challenging outdated myths about art and commerce. Dive deeper to uncover practical frameworks that could transform how you navigate your creative journey.   In an era where artists are subtly coerced into the roles of content creators and market disruptors, the core essence of artistry risks being overshadowed by entrepreneurial ambitions. Modern creative culture often blurs the lines between genuine self-expression and commodified authenticity, leading artists toward the tempting yet restrictive path of scale, predictability, and market demand. Read on to understand how to strike a balance between financial sustainability and creative integrity.   Read the blog post. Join the first cohort of my Artist Mastermind and get your first month free.  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching   Free Artist Training: artistmindmap.com   Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses   1:1 Mentoring:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/1-on-1-mentorship

In an era where artists are subtly coerced into the roles of content creators and market disruptors, the core essence of artistry risks being overshadowed by entrepreneurial ambitions. Modern creative culture often blurs the lines between genuine self-expression and commodified authenticity, leading artists toward the tempting yet restrictive path of scale, predictability, and market demand. Read on to understand how to strike a balance between financial sustainability and creative integrity.   Join the first cohort of my Artist Mastermind and get your first month free.  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching   Free Artist Training: artistmindmap.com   Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses   1:1 Mentoring:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/1-on-1-mentorship  

While the myth of sudden discovery and rapid success still tempts many artists, the reality is a system surprisingly young. And yet, one that continues to dominate artists' perceptions of success. The fascinating history of music as sacred ritual o the other hand, once a source of healing across cultures, has been transformed into a mass-produced entity under modern industry pressures.    Free Training: artistmindmap.com   Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses   Coaching:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/coaching   Read the Blog post: Blog Post

(Rec. 5th March 2025)   Some revolutions begin in the mind of someone who never set out to be the loudest in the room. Graham Cochrane’s story is a reminder that the word “rockstar” doesn’t always mean what we were taught it does. When his bandmates in school abandoned the dream for law firms and investment banking, he chose the harder road, ignoring his counselor's insistence on focusing on that 'real job' in college applications. The result? A near-miss record deal in Nashville, the weight of a new marriage and fatherhood under a collapsing economy, jobs that drained him, and nights of counting food stamps just to get by. On paper, it looked like the ultimate 'rockstar-failure'. In reality, it was the furnace that forged resilience to build what might be one of the most important chapters in the history of online music entrepreneurship. A furnace birthing The Recording Revolution—an online education platform that rewrote rules. Showed a generation of recording artists around the globe that they didn’t need permission or a million-dollar studio to make world-class records from their homes.  Today Graham is an acclaimed entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and bestselling author of Rebel, a husband and father of two. Still controversial to some, he remains an irrefutable pioneer. The kind who turned introversion into focus, doubt into action, and setbacks into a legacy. In an era where artists wrestle with collapsing industry frameworks, the rise of AI, and the constant pressure to survive, stories like Graham’s demand attention. Because they remind us that the dance between innovation, rebirth, and redefining doesn't have to be reserved for the chosen few. But can be a space we can step into on our own terms. We dig deep, fast, and ferocious in one of the most information-dense conversations on Tapasya Loading.   Connect with Graham:  https://www.grahamcochrane.com/   This episode is brought to you by Holistic Musician Academy.   Group Coaching:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching   Course: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/ciar   Coaching:  https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/coaching  

In a society that often measures success by the weight of its wallets, the true essence of wealth remains elusive. Artistry, frequently labeled as an unprofitable pursuit, challenges this superficial narrative by revealing deeper emotional coordinates like fulfillment and alignment-the wealth we  we truly seek. While mainstream paths chase metrics, artists question "What would I still do if no one paid me?".   Read the Blog post: Blog Post   Free Artist-Training: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/artist-mindmap   Courses: https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses   Coaching:  https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/coaching   Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com

Understand the critical role that identity plays in an artist's journey and why it should be the foundation of your creative process. This episode explores the pitfalls of neglecting your true self in pursuit of external validation, illustrating how artists often fall into traps like chasing viral fame or conforming to industry expectations. Learn how to navigate the delicate balance between hero and a victim narratives, and find practical steps to re-anchor your identity, ensuring your art remains authentic and fulfilling. A guide to understand how starting with identity can keep you whole and true to your artistic vision in the long haul. Read the Blog post: Blog Post Free Artist-Training: https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/artist-mindmap   Courses: https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/courses   Coaching:  https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/coaching   Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com

Read the Blog post: https://www.holisticmusicianacademy.com/blog/what-is-emotional-processing   Free Artist-Training: https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/artist-mindmap   Courses: https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/courses   Coaching:  https://attractwell.com/holisticmuscianacademy/page/coaching   Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com  

This episode wasn’t meant for an audience. No script, no mic check, no “audience in mind.” Just a raw Zoom session between me and my weekly business accountability partner Chris Prestia, founder of the Well-Practiced Musician—one artist/educator to another, pulling back the curtain on what it really means to build a creative life that’s sustainable, soul-aligned, and functional. From emotional burnout to business bottlenecks, doubts around business partners and platforms to choose with, and the friction between art and commerce—this is an unfiltered window into the backstage of the Holistic Musician Academy and my own journey as an independent musician. We talk about the things that don’t usually make it into polished podcasts or curated newsletters. Things like identity, masculinity, and the quiet pressure of always having to “perform.” The creeping role of AI in creative work. And whether building an artistic career part-time is a compromise or a legitimate survival strategy. I also speak candidly about the personal: My obsession with location independence and how it connects to childhood trauma. The complexity of familial ties. And how Rocco helped me finally face a decision I’ve been circling for over three years. If you’ve ever wondered what the real conversations sound like behind the coaching, the music, the launches—this is it.   Warning: This episode contains unpolished language, vulnerable moments, and a whole lot of truth. Any tools, services, or platforms mentioned in this episode are shared solely based on personal experience. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or officially endorsing any brands or companies discussed. Find out more about Chris Prestia  Free Training Self-Study Course. Group Coaching 1 on 1 Mentorship Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com

Read the blog post below: https://www.holisticmusicianacademy.com/blog/musicians-and-martyr-syndrome Free Training Self-Study Course. Group Coaching 1 on 1 Mentorship Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com

Read the blog post below: https://www.holisticmusicianacademy.com/blog/macro-vs-micro Free Training Self-Study Course. Group Coaching 1 on 1 Mentorship Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com

Read the blog post below: https://www.holisticmusicianacademy.com/blog/macro-vs-micro Get my Free Training. Waiting list for Group Coaching Music and Audio Production:  www.everynowheremusic.com

Read the blog post below: https://www.holisticmusicianacademy.com/blog/what-is-peoplepleasing Get my Free Training. Waiting list for Group Coaching Music and Audio Production:  www.everynowheremusic.com

Read the blog post below: https://www.holisticmusicianacademy.com/blog/artists-and-imposter-syndrome Get my Free Training. Waiting list for Group Coaching Music and Audio Production:  www.everynowheremusic.com