A deep, comforting voice fills the screen, set against a blue, blurry background with a touch of light. For seasoned musicians or newcomers alike, the weight of ‘Gravity’ by Levi Patel is unmistakable—a blend of emotions, as Patel himself says.
“My favourite kind of music has beauty, simplicity, rich harmony, delicate textures, and often emotional tension between some kind of joy and melancholy.”
Born in Auckland in the early '90s, Patel spent part of his childhood living in England before moving to Matakana, where his musical journey truly began.
“Ever since I first picked up the guitar, it just clicked with me,” Patel shares. “A friend showed me some songs on guitar when I was about 12, and after learning a few chords I quickly figured out that I could create my own music.”
Photo: Supplied
Patel’s creativity extends beyond borders. Inspired by music, books, nature, and conversations, he is now making waves in the Chinese music industry.
He created a video for the Chinese platform Douyin, capturing his visit to the small city of Liuzhou. Set to his single Gravity, the video featured his photos and memories narrated in basic Mandarin. By the next morning, it had gone viral. Additionally, a clip of Patel performing Gravity in Mandarin by a riverside in Queenstown has also drawn significant attention from Chinese audiences.
Patel’s time in Liuzhou—where he lived for a month—became his inspiration for new music.
“I’ve been slowly discovering Chinese music, and I spent a lot of time in the mountains and walking along the rivers,” Patel says. “Maybe the biggest influence at this stage comes from connecting with my Chinese audience and seeing how my most emotional tracks resonate in particular.”
Patel's Indian heritage, reflected in his surname, is a significant part of his identity, and he takes pride in sharing the story of his roots.
“My Indian heritage comes from my grandfather Kanu,” he explains.
Photo: Supplied
Growing up, Patel spent much of his time at his grandparents' house, surrounded by Indian food and the decor of sitars and tablas.
“He [grandfather] moved with his family from a village in Gujarat to New Zealand at the age of six,” Patel recalls.
His grandfather’s story is extraordinary. As a teenager, Patel’s grandfather’s parents returned to India to support Mahatma Gandhi, and his grandfather’s father was even imprisoned for a time, leaving Patel’s grandfather and his brother behind in New Zealand.
“He still talks about how his year of primary school back in the village was one of the most formative in his life,” Patel shares.
Levi’s exposure to Indian culture came primarily through his grandparents, who not only passed on cultural practices but also instilled in him the influence of great Indian thinkers.
While his family played a key role in preserving his connection to his Indian heritage, Patel also looks forward to collaborating with artists who blend Western and Indian musical traditions.
“It would be a dream to work with Anoushka Shankar one day,” Patel says. “I love the way she combines some of my favourite, often more minimal Western styles with Indian traditions.”
Photo: Supplied
Some of Patel’s most rewarding collaborations have been with Suren Unka, an Indian electronic producer from Auckland. Their work combines Patel’s cinematic style with Unka’s house beats, creating a unique fusion of sound.
Patel has also contributed to several commercial projects in India, mixing Indian instruments into his compositions.
“Although I didn’t get to go myself, my music video for Since Last Letters was filmed in Leh, in the far north,” Patel adds.
Patel describes his creative process for major solo projects as slow and thorough. After over three years of work, he’s ready to release his next album, Sailing on the Light of a Passing Star, at the end of February.
“All of my previous work is instrumental, but I trained with New Zealand legend Suzanne Lynch, and finally found my voice,” Patel explains.
The album combines a singer-songwriter style with ethereal instrumental production, featuring an 8-piece string section.
The first two singles from the album—‘Gravity’ and ‘Stay Still’—are already out, marking a new chapter in Patel’s evolving musical journey.
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