Part of the Holistic Musician Academy

Musicbusiness EPISODES

142
Dec. 16, 2025

From Busyness to Sustainability w/ Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir

Sæunn happens to be one of the most respected cellists in the world, performing with orchestras like the Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, and Iceland Symphony, and in venues like Carnegie Hall, Barbican, and Suntory Hall, to name just a few accolades. She’s basically one of the best out there, for those who find language like that easier to understand. But what makes Sæunn stand out beyond her accolades are the challenges she throws at accepted narratives both in the classical music wo...
138
Nov. 19, 2025

Where the Music Lives: Bandmates, Cities and the home within w/Corey Congilio

In this episode, I reconnect with guitarist, educator, and fellow Effortless Mastery retreat graduate Corey Congilio—a musician whose presence in the Nashville scene is more than skill; it’s a standard. Corey’s work as a pioneering educator has shaped players across generations, with a roster of students that include the likes of artists like Seal and countless guitarists who’ve come to rely on his clarity, precision, and grounded musical wisdom. But beneath the technique and the résumé li...
136
Nov. 4, 2025

Surrender, Mortality and why Sound Remains w/ Rez Abbasi

In his third appearance on Tapasya Loading, 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 has long been a bridge between worlds: jazz, South Asian and urban traditions, intellect and instinct, virtuosic precision and play. Award-winning touring and recording artist and teacher at the New School in New York, he is known for a sound that is as ...
133
Oct. 14, 2025

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 ...
132
Oct. 7, 2025

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 Shan...
130
Sept. 23, 2025

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 quintessenti...
Guest: Harini Iyer
127
Sept. 2, 2025

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 Co...
126
Aug. 26, 2025

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 wei...
125
Aug. 19, 2025

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://holisticmusici...
93
Sept. 24, 2024

Balancing Power and Vulnerability As a Performing Artist w/ Johannes Stange

I’m excited to welcome Johannes Stange, a long-time friend and one of my most cherished collaborators on this episode. Johannes is a rare archetype—a multi-hyphenate artist whose standards of excellence continue to inspire me over the years, but also a man who leads a life deeply connected to the land, running a boutique organic farm from his home base in Mannheim, Germany. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many gifted artists, but Johannes has always stood out for me part...
89
Aug. 27, 2024

Navigating Self-doubt, Addiction and Virtuosity as an Independent Musician w/ Rebecca Mardal

Get free access to the complete episode, additional footage with transcripts, and exclusive content HERE.
87
Aug. 13, 2024

What is Toxic Pedagogy? What Musicians Need to Understand.

Read the blog post here: https://www.tapasyaloading.com/blog/what-is-toxic-pedagogy/ 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 Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com
Guest: T.L. Mazumdar
80
April 14, 2024

Riding Passion and Unity To Reach the 'Seventh Sky' w/ Jonathan Ihlenfeld Cuñado

Spanish-German Bassist, Composer-Producer & Educator talks to T.L. Mazumdar.
75
Dec. 21, 2023

An American in India: Busting Myths, The Indian Music Industry & Music Education, Safe Spaces and Vocal Health w/ Zachary Ray

Boston-bred Vocal Coach Zachary Daniel Ray speaks to T.L. Mazumdar on his life in India
70
Sept. 14, 2023

The Past, Present and Future of German Pop Music w/ Udo Dahmen

Vice President of The German Music Council and Founder of Pop-Akademie Udo Dahmen speaks to T.L. Mazumdar
69
Aug. 22, 2023

Revisiting the Birth of ’World Music’ and Unpacking its Relevance in 2023 w/ Sheila Chandra

Iconic British-Asian Singer/Author/Coach Sheila Chandra speaks to T.L. Mazumdar
68
Aug. 8, 2023

’Good’, Bad’ and ’Perfect’ Music w/ Jake Sherman

Brooklyn-based Pianist/Singer-Songwriter/Producer/Multi-instrumentalist Jake Sherman speaks to T.L. Mazumdar.
65
June 13, 2023

Creating Great Art and Taking Care of Your Fans w/ Emily White

Amazon #1 best-selling author and podcaster Emily White speaks to T.L. Mazumdar
64
May 2, 2023

The Significance of Work Ethic, Loyalty and Consistency as a Musician w/ Bastian Voelkel

Grammy-Nominated German keyboardist Bastian Voelkel speaks to T.L. Mazumdar.
62
March 21, 2023

Demystifying PR for the Post-Pandemic, Hyphenated, Independent Artist w/ Ariel Hyatt

NYC-based Founder of Cyber PR and Bestselling Author Ariel Hyatt Speaks to T.L. Mazumdar