We recently connected with Zeek Sound and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, ZEEK thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I never imagined music would become my life. Growing up in Mumbai, I was surrounded by the sounds of hip-hop and Bollywood, but it was just something I enjoyed, not something I thought I’d ever create. Life had other plans, though, and sometimes the most unexpected moments set everything in motion.

It started with heartbreak— I was in college, feeling lost, when some friends convinced me to go to Sunburn, India’s biggest music festival. I wasn’t expecting much, but then Axwell took the stage, and something inside me shifted. It wasn’t just the music—it was the way it made me feel. Like it was calling me. I didn’t leave that festival the same person. I half-jokingly told my friends, “I think I want to be a DJ.”

A friend handed me an old MIDI controller and said, “Why not give it a shot?” That moment changed everything. I started experimenting late at night, mixing songs, messing up, and figuring things out along the way. It was chaotic and far from perfect, but I loved every second of it.

Not long after, I connected with Amaal Mallik, one of Bollywood’s biggest composers. I sent him a message, not expecting much, but he surprised me by saying, “Come over.” Those two words opened the door to everything. Sitting in his studio, watching him work, I felt like I was witnessing magic. He let me experiment, encouraged me to explore, and treated me like I had something to offer, even when I doubted myself. I couldn’t afford music school, so I spent hours on YouTube, learning production from scratch.

Looking back, I realize how many little moments led to this point. It wasn’t a straight path, but every twist and turn taught me something. Music didn’t just happen to me—it found me when I needed it most, and it’s been shaping me ever since.

ZEEK, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Zeek, a music producer and artist with a passion for creating music that blurs boundaries and connects worlds. My sound is rooted in a deep love for Indian instruments and melodies, which I blend with Western arrangements, vocals, and production techniques. It’s about more than just mixing genres—my music is a fusion of cultures, emotions, and stories, resulting in something that feels both familiar and completely fresh.

I’ve always been drawn to experimenting with textures and rhythms. Back in India, I became known for creating bouncy, energetic beats and grooves that could were highly influenced from Producers like Timbaland, Jon Bellion, Dr.Dre, and in the EDM Scene you had Avicii, Swedish House Mafia and Martin Garrix Since moving to LA, I’ve added another layer to my sound, incorporating playful mouth percussions, unexpected hooks, and unique vocal textures. I love finding new ways to combine traditional sounds like sitars or tablas with modern synths and beats, creating music that feels timeless yet progressive.

One of my proudest works is Sun Mahi, a track I produced with Armaan Malik, Amaal Mallik and Vaibhav Pani. The song seamlessly blends English and Hindi, showcasing how two cultures can coexist beautifully in music. This approach—to fuse, evolve, and experiment—is at the heart of everything I create.

What sets me apart is my relentless curiosity. I didn’t grow up learning music traditionally, so every project is an opportunity to explore something new. My sound is constantly evolving because I’m always chasing that next idea, that next layer, that next emotion.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One moment that stands out in my journey is when I decided to move to Los Angeles. It wasn’t an easy decision—it felt like hitting the reset button on everything I had built back in India. I had spent years establishing myself in the Bollywood industry, collaborating with amazing artists, and finding my voice as a producer. But I knew I wanted to push myself further, to create something bigger, something global. The visa process alone was a long, grueling challenge, filled with uncertainty. It tested my patience and my belief in the path I was trying to carve.

Throughout it all, my wife, Ami, was my anchor. She poured her energy and love into making sure we didn’t lose sight of the goal. Without her unwavering support, I don’t think I could’ve stayed as focused or determined. When I finally arrived in LA, it was like starting from scratch. I was in a completely new industry, with no connections and no guarantees. But I embraced it as an opportunity to grow, to relearn, and to rebuild.

I remember those first months vividly—sitting in my small home studio, experimenting endlessly, reaching out to people, and hustling to find opportunities. It was humbling, but it also reignited the fire I felt when I first started making music. Every rejection, every late night, and every unexpected challenge became fuel to keep going. It reminded me why I started in the first place.

Fast forward to now, and I’m collaborating on projects I’d only dreamed of—Hollywood films, global artist partnerships, and cross-cultural tracks that feel like the essence of what I came here to do. That experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about trusting the process, leaning on the people who believe in you, and staying open to whatever comes next.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Looking back, I wish I’d known more about the value of mentorship and creative communities when I first started. In the beginning, I was figuring everything out on my own—experimenting late into the night, teaching myself through endless hours of YouTube tutorials, and trying to piece together what a career in music could look like. While those tools were helpful, having access to a mentor or a network of like-minded creatives could’ve made a huge difference in navigating the industry and growing faster.

One resource I’ve come to deeply appreciate is collaboration itself. When I started working with Amaal Mallik, it was transformative—watching him create, ideate, and approach music was like having a masterclass in real time. It showed me how much you can learn just by being around others who share your passion and how powerful the exchange of ideas can be.

I also wish I had understood the importance of platforms like Splice for sourcing inspiration, or tools like Ableton Live that completely expanded the way I produce music. Beyond the technical resources, I’ve realized how crucial community is. Whether it’s being part of The Indian Connect or collaborating with artists in Los Angeles, I’ve learned that surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you is one of the most valuable resources you can have.

Lastly, I wish someone had told me more about the business side of music early on—royalties, publishing, and contracts are all things I had to learn the hard way. Having that knowledge sooner would’ve helped me navigate the industry with more confidence and clarity.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeeksound
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeekindia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaiyd-patni-8429ab181/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zeeksound
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/zeeksound

Image Credits

https://www.instagram.com/goldn_charmr