RHYTHM & BLUES

Four established female artists, Lisa Mishra, KAVYA, Dot. and Kayan, speak to ELLE India about their musical journey, love for denim and more

-  Mokshaa Shivani,

KAYAN

In the vibrant tapestry of Mumbai's music scene, Kayan emerges as a distinctive voice, carving her path through the Indian independent music landscape. Known for her versatility and innovation, Kayan wears multiple hats; however, it's her solo venture under her stage name (which is her surname spelt backwards) that has gamered significant attention. In an industry often driven by trends and commercial success, Kayan stands as a beacon of authenticity, infusing her music with soulful depth and unwavering honesty. As she continues to push boundaries and redefine the indie music landscape, she invites Mokshaa Shivani into her world.

ELLE: What does music mean to you, and how do you express yourself via music?

Kayan (K): What music means to me is something that I cannot describe in words because, as cliche as may sound, music has saved my life many times. How I express myself through music is probably my strongest form of communication.

ELLE: What does progress mean to you? How does it reflect in your music?

K: I feel like progress is getting to know myself better and being able to accept change, whether it has a positive or negative outcome.

ELLE: Who was your musical inspiration while growing up?

K: While growing up, I had many musical inspirations, from my mom to pop stars on TV. But there was this one CD that my friend had given me called 'Punk's Not Dead.' On that CD were a lot of artists who, I think, changed what music meant to me at that age. I was 12 years old, and I was introduced to The Offspring, Green Day, Blink 182 and Avril Lavigne. It defined a musical moment for me in my childhood.

ELLE: Talking about fashion, what's your go-to denim outfit?