Tushar Raj, a rising artist from India, discusses his musical roots, inspirations, and the making of his singles"Dastakein". With his authentic sound and songwriting skills, Tushar is quickly gaining recognition in the music industry.
Today we have the pleasure to have him on Goathead!
GH: Hi, Tushar - Welcome to Goathead!
Tushar Raj: Thank You for having me. It's a pleasure.
GH: Can you tell us about your musical background and how you got started in the industry in India?
Tushar Raj: Well, I don't really have a musical background; I'm just an artist trying to express myself through different art forms. Music has always been a really important part of my life. I remember as a kid, all I wanted to do was sit and listen to music on the radio or TV.
I started playing guitar when I was 18, and I was always in love with that instrument. I always felt really connected to it. Eventually I started writing my own songs, but I never wanted to let it out; like all the artists, I had this thing that what I made wasn't good enough, but fortunately I decided to just go with it. I hope people connect with what I create.
GH: Your latest single “Dastakein” has received a lot of attention and positive feedback from fans. Can you walk us through the creative process behind that song and how you came up with its concept?
Tushar Raj: I’m so glad for whoever has heard it and has liked it. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback. I wrote this song back in 2021, and as a songwriter, I try to rely a lot on my subconscious memory and the emotions that are attached to it. "Dastakein" was obviously created from a very personal experience that I had in my life. I wanted each word to make my audience feel something, which is why I even tried to keep it a little poetic. I didn't really know how to compose music for this, though I kind of had a melody figured out. My friend Satyum, who is also a musician, was at my place, and we were planning for his music video. I told him about this song that I wrote, and he was all set to help me out and collaborate with me on it. He has even appeared on the track. Shoutout to my brother Satyum; he’s another amazing artist and music producer rising from Punjab.
GH: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they impacted your sound and style?
Tushar Raj: Quite a lot, actually. I listen to everything that's out there, but if I had to name a few, I would say Freddie Mercury, he’s a legend. I've always felt connected to Justin Bieber's music; he’s been a sensation, the ultimate global popstar.
There are a few Indian artists who are genuinely amazing and have actually inspired my style of songwriting. Osho Jain is one of them. He's an indie artist who writes such beautiful lyrics and creates magic with words. And of course, Diljit Dosanjh, who recently performed at Coachella, was the first Indian artist to do so. He’s an inspiration. I try to experiment with my sound; it's a very indie-pop kind of zone. Though I am still experimenting and figuring out a lot of stuff. You’ll see that in my next single, "Alag Ho" which is coming out on April 26th.
GH: Can you share any challenges you've faced in your music career so far, and how you've overcome them?
Tushar Raj: I am going to be honest; I haven't faced any challenges till now because I have just started, and another thing is that I believe music is a very sacred thing for me. I don't write or create music with any intention; it's just pure energy that's making it, and that's how I would like to keep it. Pure and simple. If it takes me places, then I'll be happy. If it doesn't, I'll still be happily vibing to my own music.
GH: That's a really inspiring affirmation, Tushar. We are sure, your music will bring you many places! What message do you hope to convey through your music, and how do you use your platform to connect with and inspire your listeners?
Tushar Raj: I am just expressing myself; I want people to feel intense emotions because thats what makes us human, right? I never knew if I could, but now I have this self-belief that whatever it is, if a single streamer or listener feels good or happy listening to my music, then my job is done as an artist. And I just want to focus on creating good stuff, and whatever happens is going to be a byproduct of that.
GH: As an Indian music artist, how much would you love to incorporate both Hollywood and Bollywood styles into your music and performances, and do you have any plans to expand your career overseas in the future?
Tushar Raj: I honestly can't wait to collaborate with and learn from artists all over the globe. Music connects people; it's everywhere, and that's where I want to be: everywhere. But right now all I have to do is focus on creating good music that makes people happy, sad, or emotional, and be that voice that stays with everyone.
GH: What can fans expect from your upcoming projects and releases, and how do you plan to continue evolving as an artist?
Tushar Raj: I have a couple of releases lined up within the next month. "Alag ho" will be released on April 26th, and I'm very excited about it. There will be a couple of other tracks released soon, all of which will be extremely experimental. I have collaborated again with my brother Satyum, who has been there guiding me throughout
GH: It was a pleasure having you today, Thank You Tushar!
Tushar Raj: My pleasure, Thank you!
Dont forget to follow Tushar on Instagram and stream "Dastakein"!
Amazing interview Tushar, Blessings 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻