Today, we sat down with Zayd to discuss their inspiration to write music, heroes, and much more!
Interview:
What is your inspiration to write your music? Is it your surroundings?
My inspiration to write music comes from my personal struggles, emotions, and faith. I
write about the battles between light and darkness, fear and hope, pain and healing—
things that I, and many others, go through. My surroundings play a role, but it’s more
about the internal journey. Music is my way of processing emotions, connecting with
others, and offering a sense of unity and hope. Whether it’s personal experiences, stories
from people around me, or my faith, I aim to create music that resonates and helps others
feel less alone.
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
At a very early age, my mom introduced me to Metallica and Iron Maiden, shaping my
love for heavy music before I even fully understood what it meant. Those bands became
the foundation of my musical DNA—the raw power, the electrifying riffs, the largerthan-life energy. But while they sparked my love for rock and metal, the real turning point came in 2000 when I first listened to Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park.
That album changed everything. The mix of aggression and melody, the emotional depth,
the way it blended screaming with vulnerability—it hit me like a lightning bolt.
Suddenly, music wasn’t just something I listened to. It was something I felt. Something
that spoke to the parts of me I didn’t even know needed a voice. From that moment on, I
knew music wasn’t just a passion. It was my purpose.
As I grew, I kept searching for sounds that resonated with me on a deeper level. Alter
Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Skillet, Bullet For My Valentine and Bring Me The Horizon
all played a role in shaping my sound. Each band taught me something different. Over
time, all these influences fused together, helping me carve out my own sound.
Is there someone you looked up as a hero?
Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell were more than just musicians to me—they were
voices that spoke to my struggles. Chester’s raw intensity and emotional honesty made
me feel understood, while Chris’s hauntingly powerful voice and lyrical depth inspired
me to express myself fearlessly.
Mark Tremonti, on the other hand, is my guitar hero. His technical skill, songwriting, and
ability to blend melody with heaviness push me to keep improving as a guitarist. His
playing style has heavily influenced my own approach to music.
If you weren’t a musician, would you be doing today?
If I weren’t making music, I’d still be in a creative field. Filmmaking and photography
have always intrigued me—telling stories through visuals the same way I do with music.
Marketing is another area that interests me since it’s all about creating connection, just
like music. But honestly, I can’t imagine life without music. Even if I wasn’t performing,
I’d still be writing, producing, or working behind the scenes in the industry. Music isn’t
just something I do—it’s part of who I am.
What advice do you have for our fans out there that want to create music?
My advice to anyone who wants to create music is simple—just start. Don’t wait for the
perfect moment, the perfect gear, or for everything to make sense. Music is about
expressing who you are, what you feel, and what you believe. Your voice, your story, and
your sound matter.
There will be doubts, setbacks, and moments when you feel like giving up, but push
through. Keep learning, keep writing, and keep playing. Stay true to yourself, and don’t
be afraid to be vulnerable in your music—because that’s where real connection happens.
Most importantly, remember why you started. Whether it’s to heal, to inspire, or just to
create, hold onto that passion. Keep going, keep growing, and never stop making the
music only you can make.
