Aditi Sehgal, known by the stage name Dot, may have become a popular face as Ethel Muggs after the release of Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, but it is music where her heart lies. Actually, it was because Zoya Akhtar had heard his songs and wanted a song for Archies That he was also cast in the film.

The young singer recently made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and is all set to enthrall the audience on the first day of Bandland 2024, produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow , and later at Lollapalooza 2025. Ahead of that, India Today Digital contacted DoT. She talked about the challenges she has faced as a young artiste, how she maintains an authentic voice and how she wants to balance acting and singing. Part:

First of all, congratulations for being included in the 30 Under 30 list. How are you feeling?

Thank you! To be named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 is a real honor, it means a lot to be recognized for my music and to show people the love I have for different types of music. It’s also quite inspiring to be on that stage with so many other people who have achieved great things at such a young age.

As a young artist, what has been the most challenging aspect of establishing yourself in the music industry?

One of the challenges I face is that I don’t want to be boxed into a certain type. At this stage of my career, I am keen to experiment with different forms of music and showcase the many sides of my artistry as well as understand my strengths and my weaknesses. However, this can sometimes make it difficult to establish my musical identity – but that’s only because I always want to explore new areas and push myself to create something different.

How do you translate personal experiences into music that resonates with a wide audience?

Writing is always personal. My main goal when making music is always to capture the essence of what I’m feeling, and I think, by default, people connect to the work because my experience is nothing but the human experience.

Which artists or genres have most influenced your sound, and how do you incorporate those influences into your music?

When I was young, I went through two stages of listening. At first, I listened to great jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee. Second, I started listening to amazing singer-songwriters like KT Tunstall and Edie Brickell. They say what you listen to when you’re young significantly shapes your writing.

You have a unique, authentic voice in the indie music scene. How important is it to you to maintain artistic authenticity in an industry often focused on commercial success?

I’ve learned that this work is a balancing act. There are things I want to say and ways I want to say them that will never be commercial. Most people haven’t even heard my first EP, Khamoshan. But I know the people who like it really like it. On the other hand, doing more professional work allows you to A – connect with a larger section of society and B – gain valuable resources like money and recognition which are very helpful when creating art. So yes, I guess it’s always a compromise.

How do you deal with creative blocks or self-doubt during your songwriting journey?

I’ve only experienced writer’s block once. This was after my initial success on YouTube and I had just finished my first India tour. I suddenly felt overwhelmed and unable to write. At the time, I was studying music at university. I eventually got an office job at my university’s international student office. I stopped writing and stopped taking classes for about a year. This helped clear my mind and calm my anxious mind. I don’t really have an answer. I just hope it doesn’t happen again!

Were there moments when you felt pressure to conform to industry expectations and how did you handle that?

yes of course. My biggest challenge is that a lot of people think of my music as ‘Everybody dance to techno!’ Don’t know except. Many times I have met people who have no interest in what I have to say anymore and they only want me to make the same kind of music. I have always stood firm on my point and have written only what I wanted to write. It’s something I’ve always done.

You also entered the world of acting. How are you balancing the two?

I think acting is something I am passionate about and I am curious to learn more about it. It’s a form of artistic expression that has a lot more inspiring parts to it than the music I make. Working with the director, other actors and crew – there’s nothing else like being truly collaborative. I think it’s helped me work better with other people, even other musicians. I believe they both feed off each other.

What’s next for Dot? Do you have playback or acting offers?

My next big thing is my EP Sea Creatures on the Sofa which will be released early next year! This is the culmination of everything I was excited to work on, and it’s going to be really special.