Tushar Shroff is a genuine citizen of the world, so it’s no big surprise that he’s always had trouble feeling as if he fully fit in anywhere. It’s to all of our edification that he’s not only learned the lessons of that protracted wrestling match with alienation but captured them perfectly on his debut single, “Heal,” which implores us to take the long view and count on our true destiny to shake itself out in due time.
“‘Heal’ is a gentle reminder that after every winter, spring inevitably arrives,” says the Dubai-born Shroff, who’s now living and plying his trade in Toronto after stints in two other countries entirely. “My journey has taught me that the key is to seek clarity on what you truly want, focus on what you can control, and trust that everything else will fall into place.”
The song makes that case beautifully, setting up a scenario of aimlessness and confusion that rings true no matter how many places you have or haven’t called home:
They say things always happen for a reason
Is that why life is always open season
And things just don’t seem to go the way you’d planned
But rather than wallow in the feeling, Shroff quickly submits his own strategy for staying one step ahead of it.
Every day I find another meaning
Take some time to do internal cleaning
Trying to be ready for whatever comes my way
The coda brings stirring reassurance that while forethought is always admirable, in the end, nothing succeeds like patience:
And when you feel like nothing you’ve ever wanted is coming your way
And it gets hard to tell the difference between night and day
And it’s so hard to break down how you feel
With time it’ll heal
Time will heal
Musically speaking, “Heal” conveys that message with a gentle sophistication that would never out it as a first effort. Shroff’s resonant vocals and layered Fender Stratocasters are so effective that you almost don’t notice as the track blossoms into a more fully orchestrated balladic tour de force. The single portends good things indeed for his forthcoming EP, Gold, which will be the culmination of a years-long struggle to cement his true identity amidst numerous changes of environment—and an ongoing attempt to balance expectations both societal and personal with the yearnings of his artistic soul.
Nineteen years ago in Dubai, he discovered a neglected family guitar and quickly realized he had both a talent and a passion for music. That wasn’t entirely cause for celebration among his family, who were hoping he would devote his life to something a little more practical. So when the time came to get serious about his future, he found himself halfway across the world at Mississippi State University, studying economics. And, not surprisingly, feeling almost totally adrift—a sensation that would dog him for years thereafter.
“At every stage, I‘ve felt pressured to mold myself into something I wasn’t, just to fit in, while social media only amplified that internal battle,” he reveals.
He wrote “Heal” during his time at Mississippi State, not fully knowing he was sending himself a musical message in a bottle that would one day amount to sweet vindication. In the meantime, he relocated to Mumbai to pursue a career in investment banking, which seemed to offer a more stable and remunerative life path than hashing out his innermost thoughts on a six-string. Yet the gnawing feeling that he wasn’t taking advantage of his true gifts persisted.
“Over time, I’ve realized that I’m not alone in these struggles,” he says. “We all face this tug-of-war between our deepest desires and the limits of what seems attainable. It doesn’t mean life is falling apart or that we’re failing—it’s simply a part of the human experience.”
Now making his home in Toronto, Shroff is sharing that wisdom with us by finally releasing “Heal” to the public, sharing the prescient worldview of his undergrad days while making a more personal statement that yes, a musician is what he really is and was always meant to be. As he sees it, those twin missions—to contribute to listeners’ well-being and to pursue personal fulfillment—run in tight parallel. His stated goal going forward is to create “work that reflects my true self and resonates deeply with as many people as possible.”
Not that he’s thrown all caution to the wind, mind you: While he’s in Toronto, he completed his MBA and now is working in finance, to maximize his chances of making a legitimate living from what he really loves to do. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? All you have to do is have faith and be willing to put in the hours.
“No matter who you are or where you find yourself, remember that tomorrow brings a fresh start, a chance to heal, and the promise of brighter days ahead,” he advises. “You’re never as lost as you feel—there’s always hope on the horizon. With time, it’ll Heal.”
