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T.A.M blends R&B pop with subtle Indian classical influences, drawing inspiration from artists like SZA and Ariana Grande. Her sound is defined by expressive Indian classical vocal ornamentation and the integration of elements like the tabla within contemporary R&B production. Her music and visual world are deeply narrative-driven, rooted in intimacy and vulnerability, inviting listeners into the emotional core of each song. Her debut single “John Tucker Must Die” has already garnered over 40,000 streams, marking her as an emerging artist to watch. Through storytelling-led content, she also offers a behind-the-scenes look into her creative process, building a strong, personal connection with her audience. |
Photographer:
Introspective, vulnerable, grounded
Describe your sound:
Blends elements of R&B beats and pop melodies with those of Indian classical music. My music is built on simple production, rich harmonies and expressive vocal runs that combine western phrasings and Indian classical vocal ornamentations.
Describe the moment you knew that you wanted to pursue music:
It wasn’t really a single moment for me. I was pursuing a psychology degree, and over the last couple of years, I started to realise that I’d probably look back and regret it if I didn’t give music a real shot soon. At that point, I was still scared to write my own music and put myself out there.
During the pandemic, I moved back in with my parents and made a simple decision to show up every day to sing and write, no matter how uncomfortable it felt. Over time, that consistency helped me move past the fear of needing to prove myself through music, and I started to actually enjoy the process.
By the end of the pandemic, I felt a lot more certain and confident in my decision. It wasn’t one defining moment, but more a culmination of showing up for something I loved every day that eventually gave me the confidence to pursue music professionally.
How does your heritage impact your art?
My art is a reflection of who I am, so my heritage naturally shows up in it. I grew up engaging a lot with Western music and culture, but at the same time I was watching Bollywood films and learning Hindustani classical music.
When I started shaping my artistic identity, I realised that this blend is what makes my perspective unique. That’s when I began consciously leaning into my classical roots while still holding onto my pop and R&B influences. My music brings together Indian classical and semi-classical melodies with Western pop structures and R&B production. I often use Indian classical vocal ornamentation in my singing, and occasionally incorporate Indian instruments into my tracks.
That influence extends into my visuals as well. I’m drawn to Indian fashion and jewellery, and I like to weave those elements in subtly so everything feels cohesive and true to me.
What moment are you most proud of in your music journey so far?
There isn’t one single moment I’m most proud of. For me, it’s every moment where I chose to do something I was scared of. More than anything, I’m proud of who I’ve become through my music journey.
Pursuing music has constantly pushed me outside my comfort zone. I used to be scared to perform, to write my own songs and share them, to put myself out there on social media, and even to say yes to opportunities. Over time, I’ve worked through those fears, and things that once felt overwhelming now feel natural, whether that’s releasing music, performing, or showing up online.
So it’s not about one big milestone, it’s about all the smaller moments where I pushed myself to be braver, which have led to me becoming a more confident person overall.
Your next music goal:
My next goal is to stay consistent. I have a number of songs ready to go, so I want to keep releasing music regularly along with the content that supports it, while making sure I’m improving with every release. Beyond that, I’d love to start performing on bigger stages—playing at festivals like Lollapalooza India and eventually going on tour.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who and why?
My dream artist to collaborate with is SZA. Listening to her album Ctrl completely changed the kind of music I connect with and shaped the direction of my own artistry. It made me fall in love with R&B, especially the way she builds melodies around her storytelling rather than forcing lyrics to fit a structure.
I’m really inspired by how naturally she moves between singing and rapping, and how direct and vulnerable her writing is. It feels like she’s speaking straight to you. That honesty and fluidity are things I try to bring into my own music, so collaborating with her would feel like a full-circle moment.
Your favourite song/lyrics:
One of my favourite songs lyrically is Love It If We Made It by The 1975. I think it tackles such a complex idea (the anxiety around the state of the world) in a really powerful way. The verses are so detailed and specific that you know exactly what’s being referenced, but what really stands out to me is the chorus.
The only line in the chorus is “I’d love it if we made it,” and that feels so genius to me. It takes an incredibly complicated concept and reduces it to a simple, almost conversational statement, which is like something anyone might say in their daily life. But because of how vivid the verses are, you fully understand the weight behind that line.
I really love that contrast! The chorus is so easy to sing along with, but it still carries so much meaning because of everything built around it. It’s such a smart way of making a complex idea feel so accessible and more emotionally impactful.
3 songs you're listening to right now:
Sincerity - SAILORR
Save me - RealestK
Tous Ces Mots - Faouzia
Your community shout out:
These are some artists from India who are making incredible music:
RANJ - @ranjaniramadoss
Derek & the cats - @derekandthecats
Anything else you'd like to share:
My single, 'Situationship' came out 15 April 2026. It covers the paranoia left behind from previous relationships, avoidance that feels safe yet painful, and choosing self-love over toxic patterns.
