Tushar – Building Bridges Through Music at SXSW Sydney

When Tushar stepped onto the stage at SXSW Sydney 2024, his heart was, in his own words, “very full.” It was his first-ever showcase as part of a South Asian group, and the emotions were unmistakable. “ Honestly, I feel wholesome,” he reflected after the set, still buzzing from the connection with the crowd.

For Tushar, this was more than a debut. It was a milestone in a journey shaped by migration, identity, and the universal language of music.

From Singapore to Australia

Tushar’s story begins in Singapore, where he was born before his family relocated to Australia in 2000. The youngest of four siblings, he found himself more immersed in Australian culture than the rest of his family. “Because I was the youngest, I definitely picked up the accent, the culture, and I only speak English,” he shared.

This dual upbringing created a subtle cultural tension. While his parents have always loved his music, they initially struggled to understand the style he was pursuing fully. “There was always a bit of a barrier,” he admitted. Yet their support never wavered, and when he was announced as part of the SXSW lineup, his family felt proud of his achievement.

A South Asian Voice in Australia

At SXSW Sydney’s India House stage, Tushar represented not just himself but the wider South Asian diaspora. Growing up in Australia, he often wondered whether his music would ever resonate back in Asia. Support from +91 Calling helped bring that possibility closer. “They just told me, get out there, do your thing, no matter what music,” he said.

His performance was a celebration of identity and connection, embodying the bridging role he now plays between South Asia and Australia.

Music with Gratitude

When asked to describe what he wants audiences to feel from his music, Tushar didn’t hesitate: “Happy, grateful, energised.” During his SXSW set, he asked the crowd to pause and reflect on something they were grateful for that week. “I wanted people to walk out of that park thinking, yeah, I feel good today.”

That emphasis on gratitude defines much of his songwriting. He sees music as an outlet that has consistently improved his mental health. “Whenever I’ve needed an escape, I’ve always had music. To turn that into something—into Tushar—has been such an exciting period of my life.”

Inspirations and Soundtracks

Tushar’s creative roots lie in the guitar, which he uses as the foundation for his writing. But beyond individual tracks, he is deeply inspired by film and television soundtracks. “Growing up, my family had movie nights, and it was the music that really tied it all together for me,” he said. That passion now influences the cinematic quality of his own songs.

Asked to pick a soundtrack that reflects his life at the moment, he pointed to Sofa King by the Sydney band Royal Otis. “It’s got this chorus that just makes you feel lifted. I listen to it when I want to feel good and relaxed at the same time.”

Universal Connection

For Tushar, music’s power lies in transcending boundaries. “No matter what cultural background, I just want people to come in and connect,” he explained. “Even if they don’t speak the language, they can feel the music. That’s such a connection.”

It’s a philosophy that resonates strongly with Australia’s Indian diaspora, a community that has grown fivefold in the past two decades and now represents the country’s fastest-growing large migrant group. Artists like Tushar embody how diaspora voices can strengthen Australia’s multicultural identity while projecting South Asian creativity to global stages.

Looking Ahead

Gratitude, joy, and authenticity — these are the themes that define Tushar’s music. As he looks to expand his reach into Asia while continuing to build his career in Australia, his SXSW Sydney debut feels like a launching pad.

“Music has been a release, an outlet, and now it’s something people are enjoying. That keeps pushing me to keep writing, to keep putting things out.”

From the streets of Singapore to the parks of Sydney, Tushar’s journey is one of bridging cultures with sound. And if SXSW Sydney 2024 is any indication, this is only the beginning of a much bigger story.