Heal My Mind: TT Talks Mental Health Fallout from Mourning, Love Lost and More
With interwoven narratives about love lost, ghostly encounters, and mourning, singer-songwriter TT delivered his third single “Heal Your Mind“, from his forthcoming debut album, Man on the Corner, which exemplifies TT’s dedication to turning life’s challenges into something beautiful and empowering. “I lost someone close to me,” the LA-based troubadour says. “For a long time after their passing, I felt their presence stay with me – in my most vivid dreams, emotions, senses, and sometimes in physical encounters. Yet their loss was so hard to bear. ‘Heal My Mind’ is the story of such a feeling, one of deep loss coupled with a spiritual presence.”
Americana Highways put it best, “The subject matter of mortality is handled with care and compassion both in terms of the vocal delivery and the gentle musical arrangement. Directed by Tom Flynn and Mike Watts, this video vignette about a person’s life partner drowning and returning to keep him company, which over time proved too much, is tender and gut-wrenching at once. Beautifully played, beautifully sung, and beautifully captured.
In the video, a man’s soulmate drowns. After this tragic loss, she returns in a desperate attempt to communicate and commune with him. Although he can feel her with all his senses and his mind shows him images, he cannot truly communicate or see her. He often flashes back to their earthly, wonderful, romantic experiences. However, her constant haunting causes him such anguish that he becomes torn between love and fear and starts to lose his mind. He returns to the place of her death and also the place of their home and best memories – the ocean. He pleads with her in prayer to stop haunting him because he cannot stand it. Despite her love and attempts, she finally relinquishes, cries, and disappears back into the ocean, fading away to her permanent home in heaven.”
In the music world, there is nothing more respected than resiliency and sticktoitiveness. Diagnosed with a chronic kidney condition as a child, TT spent years dealing with the physical pain and emotional trauma of a disease that left him crippled at a young age. As he relearned to walk, he found comfort in music — not only the musical theater songs that his mom sang around the house but a wide mix of country, classical, and rock & roll. Those influences would eventually inspire Man on the Corner, a genre-bending record rooted not only in TT’s eclectic musical tastes but also in the observations made, lessons learned, and social implications that resulted from his health challenges.
TT – Heal My Mind Press Photo – BrieC
TT was inspired to rededicate himself to music in 2023 when his kidney disease came out of remission. Given a short life expectancy, he realized that he wanted to spend whatever time he had left focusing on the things that mattered most and, therefore, would return to his original passion – music. Choosing bold inspiration over blind fear, TT rounded up a band of A-list instrumentalists and spent time in a Los Angeles recording studio, where he sang like his life depended on it. By the time he received the miraculous news that his disease had once again entered remission, he had already finished a nine-song album — one whose seize-the-day message was truly universal. Man on the Corner may be inspired by TT’s own experience, but his songs cast a wider net, reflecting on everything from addiction to parenthood. Together, the songs weave diverse sounds and stories, all delivered by a longtime storyteller, songwriter, and survivor who refuses to waste another moment.
How have your experiences as a storyteller shaped your songwriting process? What was your songwriting process for “Heal My Mind?”
Storytelling and songwriting go hand in hand for me. I strive to create songs that are not only meaningful but also lyrically and musically captivating. “Heal My Mind” took quite some time to write; I wanted to balance mental anguish and beauty. The anguish represents an inability to connect, despite feeling someone’s presence, while the beauty reflects an eternal connection of love. The verses portray experiences in the physical world, while the chorus symbolizes heaven and the subconscious. I revised the song over two dozen times. Once the writing was done, the arrangement was clear to me, so in the studio, there were no further changes. I aimed for the music to be haunting yet beautiful, incorporating strings, backup vocals, and keyboards.
You’ve mentioned that your kidney disease inspired you to return to your passion for making music—how has this shaped the urgency and message behind “Heal My Mind” and the rest of the album?
Man on the Corner is a collection of stories about life’s journey, challenges, and hopes. It arose from a life-changing experience that led me to fully pursue my passion for music, setting aside all other non-family commitments. I had serious health struggles early on, which made me reflect deeply on life’s brevity and the legacy I wanted to leave. Creating this album became my way of fulfilling a lifelong dream, with the hope that it might touch others. While recording, I entered remission for the second time, making the album’s completion especially meaningful. This project has solidified my commitment to music, and the outcome is everything I had hoped it would be.
What encouraged you to write about mortality with care and compassion? Was it difficult for you to write about this heavy topic in this way?
Yes, it was challenging. I lost someone close to me, and their presence stayed with me long after they passed, through vivid dreams and even in physical encounters. I believe our loved ones go to a better place and that, if we are open, we can feel their presence and that they are watching over us. Remembering the good times, their companionship, and love has been healing, even though I miss sharing life’s important moments with them.
As a singer-songwriter, how do you blend your musical influences to craft a unique sound? Who were your musical influences for “Heal My Mind?”
I have broad musical tastes that I think show up in my own sound. Though I consider myself a country, pop, and rock artist, I was also raised with theatrical and classical music. “Heal My Mind” leans toward a classical side, with piano and violins adding depth. I did not draw directly from specific artists, but perhaps there is a touch of Lana Del Rey meets Elton John in there.
What motivated you to craft the “Heal My Mind” music video in a cinematic style? How did you and directors Tom Flynn and Mike Watts bring your vision to life?
The directors, Tom Flynn, Mike Watts, and Jay Tavernese, were brilliant. It was essential that the video be haunting and beautiful, like the song. Their skillful transitions between live-action and green screen effects were stunning. They captured the essence of a haunting, but beautiful unique, and gratifying experience. We shot in Malibu, California, where the elements—sun, fog, ocean, cliffs, and unique light—gave us incredible, unexpected moments. The ocean and underwater scenes were the most challenging but crucial to capturing the haunting yet comforting essence of the story, drawing the viewer into a place beyond the everyday.
Talk about the imagery and symbolism in the song and music video—what role does the ocean play? Why did you choose to focus on the ocean?
I have always felt a deep connection to water, finding the ocean to be a place of healing and comfort. In the video, the ocean serves as a symbolic space: it’s where she lost her life, but it’s also where he can return to feel closest to her spirit and their shared memories.
How do you hope “Heal My Mind” connects with those who have experienced similar feelings of grief? What do you hope audiences take away from the song and video?
I hope listeners find comfort in the idea that while we mourn, we can also sense the presence of our loved ones. Losing someone is universal, and I hope this song offers a positive, spiritual experience to those who has felt that loss.
Reflecting on your musical and personal journeys, what advice would you give to others who are facing their own battles?
My faith, family, and music have kept me grounded. Challenges have shaped me, giving me a drive to prove myself, and I struggle with the feeling that I have not done enough. Music lets me express parts of myself that I cannot do otherwise. As for advice, perseverance and discipline are essential. Focusing on one’s talents, whether they are in work, social life, or hobbies, can provide purpose. We each have something special to offer, and sometimes, asking for help is part of the journey. It’s not always easy, but allowing others into your life can be transformative. Lastly, faith may be different from one person to the next, but we can all believe in ourselves.
Follow TT
https://www.ttmusicstudio.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@
https://www.facebook.com/
https://x.com/TTMusic24
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
![Will Rawls [siccer] stage performance - Photo by Jared Sorells.](jpg/will-rawls-siccer-stage-performance-photo-by-jared-sorells-50x50.jpg)
