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The Toll of Hustle Culture on Artists

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

Otherness, Art, and the The Myth of the ‘Professional Musician’ w/ Soumik Datta

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
 

How to Find a Music Mentor (Without Falling for the Hype)

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
 

Between Tradition and Reinvention w/ Harini Iyer

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

The Multi-hyphenate artist: Problem or Solution?

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

Artists vs Entrepreneurs

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
 

The Myth of the Music Career

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

Redefining Rockstar w/ Graham Cochrane

(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
 

Artists and Money

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

Artist identity: Hero or Victim?

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