“The deep, soulful voice of a black woman combined with Janis Joplin’s throaty cracking,” is how singer-songwriter Kanchan Daniel describes her voice. She is holding on to her day job (the clinical psychologist and cancer-survivor combines oncology and psychology to aid patients) while jamming with four musicians — with pretty impressive beards — as Kanchan Daniel & The Beards. The self-trained artist, who has an album out later this year, uses rock, soul and R&B influences to make the blues more accessible. “The first time I heard [Jimi] Hendrix, I was like woah, this guy’s got feels. That’s what I want to inspire. When people come up to me and say, ‘I didn’t even know I liked the blues’, that’s a really good day.”
Photograph: Manasi Sawant; Styling: Nidhi Jacob; Make-up and hair: Mitesh Rajani. On Kanchan: Crêpe shirt, Vero Moda. Satin pants, H&M. Glitter slip-ons, Koovs.com. Gold-plated necklace, The Line
You may also want to read: Name to know: Sayani Gupta
