By Spandan Fulkar
14th Mar 2024
By Spandan Fulkar
14th Mar 2024
In the streets of Delhi, amidst the chaos and trails of everyday life, there exists a soul whose rhythm reverberates with the soothing melody of his guitar strings. Meet Shiraz Ahmed, a 26-year-old musician whose journey from a solitary guitar learner to the founder of the band "Assort" paints a picture of passion, perseverance, and the power of music to heal.
"Music has always been my sanctuary, my refuge from the storms of life," Shiraz reflects. "When I first picked up the guitar in 2014, I had no idea where this journey would take me. But with every strum and every chord, I felt a sense of liberation, as if the music was breathing life into my soul."
His tryst with music began as a humble pursuit of a hobby, but it soon blossomed into a full-fledged passion. With no formal training, Shiraz turned to online tutorials and the guidance of friends to nurture his musical talent.
"I remember the thrill of those early days, the excitement of learning something new with each passing day," he recalls with a smile.
In the streets of Delhi, amidst the chaos and trails of everyday life, there exists a soul whose rhythm reverberates with the soothing melody of his guitar strings. Meet Shiraz Ahmed, a 26-year-old musician whose journey from a solitary guitar learner to the founder of the band "Assort" paints a picture of passion, perseverance, and the power of music to heal.
"Music has always been my sanctuary, my refuge from the storms of life," Shiraz reflects. "When I first picked up the guitar in 2014, I had no idea where this journey would take me. But with every strum and every chord, I felt a sense of liberation, as if the music was breathing life into my soul."
His tryst with music began as a humble pursuit of a hobby, but it soon blossomed into a full-fledged passion. With no formal training, Shiraz turned to online tutorials and the guidance of friends to nurture his musical talent.
"I remember the thrill of those early days, the excitement of learning something new with each passing day," he recalls with a smile.
The turning point came when Shiraz witnessed a live band performance in a mall, a moment that would forever change the trajectory of his musical journey. "I was captivated by the energy, the sheer magic of live music," he reminisces. "That's when I knew, I didn't just want to play music, I wanted to create it, to share it with the world."
Thus, "Assort" was born, a collective endeavour fuelled by a shared love for music and a vision to captivate audiences with their unique blend of Bollywood and indie-inspired tunes. "Forming the band was a dream come true," Shiraz says, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "We started small, performing at local gigs and events, but with each performance, our confidence grew, and so did our audience."
But Shiraz's musical journey is not just about entertaining crowds, it's about touching hearts and souls with his music. "As an artist, I believe in the power of storytelling through music," he explains. "Every song, every lyric is a piece of my heart—a reflection of my own experiences, my struggles, my triumphs."
In the midst of personal turmoil in 2018, Shiraz turned to songwriting as a form of catharsis, penning down his emotions in the form of lyrics and poetry. "Writing became my therapy, my way of making sense of the chaos within," he confides. "And out of that chaos emerged my first original composition, 'Bewajah'—a song that remains close to my heart to this day."
For Shiraz, the process of creating music is an organic one, driven by intuition and emotion. "I don't believe in forcing creativity; I let the music flow naturally, guided by the rhythm of my heart," he shares.
"Whether I'm composing a melody or writing lyrics, I draw inspiration from my own life experiences, from the joys and sorrows that shape who I am."
The turning point came when Shiraz witnessed a live band performance in a mall, a moment that would forever change the trajectory of his musical journey. "I was captivated by the energy, the sheer magic of live music," he reminisces. "That's when I knew, I didn't just want to play music, I wanted to create it, to share it with the world."
Thus, "Assort" was born, a collective endeavour fuelled by a shared love for music and a vision to captivate audiences with their unique blend of Bollywood and indie-inspired tunes. "Forming the band was a dream come true," Shiraz says, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "We started small, performing at local gigs and events, but with each performance, our confidence grew, and so did our audience."
But Shiraz's musical journey is not just about entertaining crowds, it's about touching hearts and souls with his music. "As an artist, I believe in the power of storytelling through music," he explains. "Every song, every lyric is a piece of my heart—a reflection of my own experiences, my struggles, my triumphs."
In the midst of personal turmoil in 2018, Shiraz turned to songwriting as a form of catharsis, penning down his emotions in the form of lyrics and poetry. "Writing became my therapy, my way of making sense of the chaos within," he confides. "And out of that chaos emerged my first original composition, 'Bewajah'—a song that remains close to my heart to this day."
For Shiraz, the process of creating music is an organic one, driven by intuition and emotion. "I don't believe in forcing creativity; I let the music flow naturally, guided by the rhythm of my heart," he shares.
"Whether I'm composing a melody or writing lyrics, I draw inspiration from my own life experiences, from the joys and sorrows that shape who I am."
Drawing inspiration from the indie genre and artists like Lucky Ali, Shiraz's musical signature is one of serenity and sincerity. His sound, characterized by its soothing melodies and heartfelt lyrics, serves as a balm for the soul in an increasingly chaotic world.
With the recent release of his single "Mere Nahi Ho," Shiraz bares his soul once more, offering listeners a glimpse into his innermost struggles and triumphs. "This song is more than just music to me; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit," he says. "It's about finding strength in vulnerability, about embracing our imperfections and learning to love ourselves despite our flaws."
As Shiraz looks towards the future, his vision is clear, to continue creating music that resonates with a diverse audience, one soulful note at a time. "I want my music to be a source of comfort, of solace, of hope for anyone who listens," he asserts. "Whether you're going through a tough time or simply need a moment of peace, I hope my music can be a companion on your journey."
But amidst the glitz and glamour of the music industry, Shiraz remains grounded, acknowledging the importance of perseverance and patience in the pursuit of artistic excellence. "The road to success is paved with challenges, but every obstacle only makes us stronger," he reflects. "From performing for free in the early days to struggling to book shows, every hardship has been a lesson in resilience and determination."
In a world that often prioritizes fame and fortune over authenticity, Shiraz's advice is simple yet profound—create music with honesty and integrity, and success will inevitably follow.
"At the end of the day, it's not about fame or recognition; it's about staying true to yourself and your art," he concludes. "If you pour your heart and soul into your music, the rest will fall into place."
Drawing inspiration from the indie genre and artists like Lucky Ali, Shiraz's musical signature is one of serenity and sincerity. His sound, characterized by its soothing melodies and heartfelt lyrics, serves as a balm for the soul in an increasingly chaotic world.
With the recent release of his single "Mere Nahi Ho," Shiraz bares his soul once more, offering listeners a glimpse into his innermost struggles and triumphs. "This song is more than just music to me; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit," he says. "It's about finding strength in vulnerability, about embracing our imperfections and learning to love ourselves despite our flaws."
As Shiraz looks towards the future, his vision is clear, to continue creating music that resonates with a diverse audience, one soulful note at a time. "I want my music to be a source of comfort, of solace, of hope for anyone who listens," he asserts. "Whether you're going through a tough time or simply need a moment of peace, I hope my music can be a companion on your journey."
But amidst the glitz and glamour of the music industry, Shiraz remains grounded, acknowledging the importance of perseverance and patience in the pursuit of artistic excellence. "The road to success is paved with challenges, but every obstacle only makes us stronger," he reflects. "From performing for free in the early days to struggling to book shows, every hardship has been a lesson in resilience and determination."
In a world that often prioritizes fame and fortune over authenticity, Shiraz's advice is simple yet profound—create music with honesty and integrity, and success will inevitably follow.
"At the end of the day, it's not about fame or recognition; it's about staying true to yourself and your art," he concludes. "If you pour your heart and soul into your music, the rest will fall into place."
