Today we’d like to introduce you to Pranati.
Hi Pranati, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in India meant living at the intersection of two worlds. My family was deeply westernised, but we were surrounded by traditional Indian values shaped by patriarchy and rigid gender roles. That in-between space created both tension and freedom. Like many modern Indian millennials, I grew up on American television and rock music at home, while my friends at school listened to Bollywood and regional music. That cultural duality shaped my identity and, later, my sound.
My parents were avid music lovers, and our home was often filled with musicians jamming together. I picked up the guitar early and was drawn to singing, even though it didn’t come naturally at first. Alongside music, art became my other lifeline. By 18, I had my first graphic design job in Hyderabad and was selling my paintings, dreaming of studying art and design in the US — a dream I couldn’t afford to chase at the time.
In my early twenties, while battling anxiety, depression, and an abusive relationship, I began writing my own music. Those struggles became the fuel for my first original songs. I built a band in India, our sound grew heavier, and over time PEEKAY developed a strong following. We toured nationally, played internationally in Singapore, opened for major international metal acts like Avenged Sevenfold and Jinjer, and received coverage from leading music publications. As an Indian woman fronting a heavy band, that visibility was both rare and deeply meaningful. Along the way, I even found myself on national television on Let’s Make a Deal, screaming on stage with Wayne Brady — a surreal full-circle moment.
Years later, an old friend encouraged me to apply for an O-1 visa. I took the leap, got approved, and moved to Los Angeles. I rebuilt PEEKAY with a new LA lineup as well as joined a fresh act called Freycus and began performing across the city, including iconic stages like Whisky a Go Go and The Viper Room. Today, our music dives into despair over the human condition while pointing toward hope — rooted in the belief that the only way out is through, and through faith. I may not have been able to study in America as a teenager, but at 33, I arrived here as the frontwoman of a metalcore band, carrying everything I built with me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing truly meaningful comes easy, and this journey has been no exception. Moving to Los Angeles alone was a bold and beautiful step, but it hasn’t been smooth. Breaking into a completely new and highly saturated market is tough — from finding consistent work, to building a fanbase from scratch, to getting on the radar of promoters and venues. Festival circuits still feel like a distant goal, and like most artists here, I balance uncertainty with persistence. Session work comes and goes, and everyone is chasing the same limited opportunities.
What has made these challenges survivable — and often even joyful — is the support around me. I’m grounded by an incredible partner, a loyal circle of friends, and a strong church community. Having my freelance design work still active in India has also given me stability while I rebuild here. The LA metal scene is still new territory for me, but I’ve already found genuine friendships within it. It’s a competitive world, but it’s also one filled with people who are chasing their dreams with the same fire — and that makes the struggle feel shared, not lonely.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the heart of it all, I’m a multidisciplinary creative and the frontwoman of the modern metal band PEEKAY. My world lives between music, visual art, storytelling, and design. On one side, I’m writing and performing heavy, emotionally driven metalcore — and on the other, I’m a creative director and graphic designer building visual identities, album worlds, merch, and brand campaigns. I’ve always been drawn to creating full ecosystems around ideas, not just standalone projects.
As a musician, I’m known for both clean singing and screaming — and for using that contrast intentionally. I grieve the human condition through my screams, the pain, the confusion, the darkness we all wrestle with. But I sing for hope, redemption, and mercy. My work is deeply shaped by my faith, and as a Christian woman in a male-dominated heavy music space, I’m intentional about weaving belief, doubt, struggle, and healing into the same narrative. I don’t shy away from despair, but I never leave the story there.
What I’m most proud of is building everything twice — first in India, where I grew my band and my design career from the ground up, and now again in Los Angeles, where I’m doing it all over in a completely new industry. I’m also proud of representing as an Indian woman in a global metal scene and taking that visibility seriously.
What sets me apart is how all of these worlds move together. I don’t separate the art, the music, the faith, or the business — they all inform each other. I create from a place of tension: chaos and clarity, grief and grace, aggression and tenderness. That duality is at the core of both my sound and my visual work, and it’s what people seem to connect with most.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I draw inspiration from many places. I spend a lot of time reading about and watching documentaries on Impressionist and Renaissance artists. Art also quite literally runs in my family — my uncle, Krishen Khanna, is one of India’s most celebrated artists from the Progressive Art Movement — so I suppose that influence is in my blood. I read a lot of thrillers and watch drama-driven films, which help me study human behavior and emotion up close. I’m also an avid listener of Jay Shetty’s podcast, which I really enjoy, and I read my Bible regularly — it deeply informs both my life and my songwriting. And on a very practical note, calendar apps are my unsung heroes; they’re what keep my life feeling even remotely organized.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peekay.live
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peekayindia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/peekayindia
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/2oCQPR0x4j2A7ES9VYPxtK?si=HBwRlBTBS0OaYe0_XVNkYQ
Image Credits
Shitabh Pillai
Vikram Chandrasekar
Angad Patil
Pathikrit Das
Rohit Khetle
Nidhi Jacob
BSA Motorcycles India
Jawa Motorcycles
Yezdi Motorcycles
Mahindra Independence Rock
Mohit Concert Photography
Imelda Almero
Orbel Photography
