The teen opera-prodigy Aditi Iyer likes to live her life vicariously through her musical explorations as is evident through the versatility in her growing body of work. Free of the burden of expectations and accolades that she received early on, Aditi has been exploring her artistry with carefree abandon in her formative teenage years. Her latest song 18 With You invites everyone to mark their coming of age or reminisce fond memories of the same. The retro synth beats are a feel-good companion to the second track of one-sided feelings on a breakaway 80s-inspired anthem.
Excerpts
Q. What inspired you to start performing at the age of eight years?
A. I’d say that no event in particular inspired me, but that I was born inspired by music. At 18 months, I was humming songs I heard around the house, at 3 years old, I was singing nursery rhymes, and at the age of 4 to 5 I graduated to the likes of Celine Dion. I always found myself in music and one of my favourite things to do as a child was to sing with wild abandonment. Also, while I began putting myself out into the world at eight, with the help of my parents, on social platforms like YouTube, I had actually performed before I turned eight, at the age of 3. It was during another singer’s performance that I managed to crawl onto the stage and sing the theme song to my favourite show at the time, Little Einsteins. Once I started singing, people stopped trying to get me down from the stage and I got a standing ovation after I was done. I think that sort of represents my early relationship to music and to performance; being intrinsically drawn to it like I was to that stage, getting huge satisfaction out of it, and knowing it’s what I’m meant to do.
Q. You have turned 18, so at this age what inspires you to sing songs related to society?
A. I would say that I’m a fairly introspective person. I’m often thinking about things and how they affect not just me but our society in general and, while I’ve been blessed with a happy childhood and great experiences, I can’t turn a blind eye to the wrong things that happen to so many of us. Despite my age, I have a voice and I want to use that voice to raise awareness about things that may not affect me directly but affect so many of us. My first formally released EP, Dollhouse, tackles the subject of abusive relationships. While I, thankfully, have never been in an abusive relationship, there are people in my life who have and may need some support and encouragement; I wanted to write those songs in a way that empathises with any person going through an abusive relationship, encouraging them to take their power back and leave the abusive person hurting them. I was absolutely floored at the positive response I received after releasing Dollhouse; so many people connected to what I was saying and many established music critics in India were actually taking me seriously as a mature artist despite me being 15 to 16 at the time. It was almost more than I could ask for and I’m truly grateful for all the support, encouragement, and love I received.
Q. Now your latest release is 18 With You, so what the song is all about?
A. 18 With You is all about not taking things too seriously, having fun, and living in the moment; oftentimes, when we turn 18 we’re pressured to suddenly become adults and leave our childhood behind. It’s a lot, especially when we were considered children at 17. I wanted to write this song to say that turning 18 doesn’t change who you are and it’s yet another age to discover who you are while having a blast along the way. This means a lot to me personally because, when I turned 18, I suddenly had to leave my family and my country to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. While I was absolutely elated and grateful to get this opportunity, it was a huge jump for me to go from never having lived without my parents to suddenly having to live alone as an adult and I kept thinking, before I left, about how much I would miss my family and friends. Writing 18 With You helped me deal with those feelings and remind the overthinker in me to take it easy and enjoy the moment.
Q. If you get a chance to sing with some renowned singers, to whom would you be interested to sing along?
A. I would definitely want to sing with Sir Elton John, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, and the Weeknd. I really admire their music and their talents and it would be an absolute dream come true to share a stage with them. Actually, one of the most amazing experiences for me was charting on the DRT Mainstream Charts with my last year’s release Deleted Your Number and actually seeing my name next to my idols like Olivia Rodrigo, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, etc. It was so, so amazing to see that and I’m truly grateful for all the amazing listeners that supported me and helped me get that far. I have truly lofty ambitions; one day, I want to be as famous as my idols and make singing with them a reality. I feel my position on the DRT charts was a great, great start to that huge dream.
Q. Tell me something about your parents, like how do they feel while looking at your success?
A. I would say that my parents have been my biggest cheerleaders. My mom has always encouraged me no matter what and my dad has never hesitated to give me his support. My parents were always proud of me, even in my down days and even when I hadn’t yet accomplished much, because they always believed in me. I definitely think I wouldn’t be where I am without their support, which is why I think the support of a parent is super important and boosts a kid’s dreams. They are, of course, really happy with me and for me after everything I’m grateful to have achieved. And I know they’ll support me in my future endeavours.