When you think of the violin, you don’t always think of it as an instrument that truly rocks. Well, we already live in a world full of stereotypes and preconceived notions that need to be broken. Lindsey Stirling is on a mission and she’s bound and determined to change how people view that instrument. She’s an original in a musical sea of creatively stagnant water. If Itzhak Perlman and Cyndi Lauper had a love child, their spawn would be Stirling.
She’s been classically trained from an early age and it didn’t take her long to think outside of the musical box. If she looks familiar, you may have seen her on season five of America’s Got Talent back in 2010, where she was a quarter-finalist. She almost single handedly reinvented YouTube and what you can achieve with it. Her debut album was released in 2012 and her latest album Shatter Me was just recently released. We at RockRevolt are completely in LOVE with this artist, and are exceptionally tickled to be able to name her as this week’s Indie Band of the Week (ok…indie ARTIST of the week).
We caught this busy lady with a rare opportunity to sit down and talk and we took advantage of it.
Hi Lindsey! It’s so cool to be able to talk to you after becoming a fan of yours while watching America’s Got Talent. I have to say that you are quite compelling to watch on-stage and in your videos. So, what were you like growing up? Were you the shy introvert who kept to herself or the ham who craved attention?
Generally, I loved attention and being front and center (laughs) and I had no reservations when it came to personal style. On my first day of first grade, I showed up to class with a wig, long white gloves and a huge bead necklace. I always loved people, having friends over, making homemade videos and singing at the top of my lungs.
I’ve talked to artists who can name a specific instance, like watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan or seeing their favorite band live, as the turning point where they knew they wanted to be an artist. Did you have an instance like that?
I was definitely influenced by Vanessa Mae, David Garrett, Bond and other pop artists like Avril Lavinge, Evanescence and Weezer, but honestly I never actually saw myself becoming a professional violinist until after I performed for my first pageant during my senior year of high school. It was at that point that I realized how much I loved solo performing; I literally couldn’t wait to get on stage again.
How would you compare Shatter Me to your debut album?
All of my songs from Shatter Me are about breaking free from our fears, self-doubt and restrictions the world puts on us, and the restrictions we put on ourselves. One of the challenges with Shatter Me was making it different than my first album and yet still sound like “me.” I worked with several different producers; I worked with Marco G for the majority of my signature album. One of the biggest differences between my first and second albums is that most of the singles from the first were first released on YouTube, one at a time, and then I compiled an album from those singles. This time, I chose to release Shatter Me all at once.
You have two guest vocalists on the album. Can we talk about both of those amazing songs? How did “We Are Giants” with Dia Frampton, of Meg and Dia fame, happen?
I am actually pretty good friends with Dia and a collaboration just seemed like a given. I’m super excited to have her as my opener on my U.S. tour! As for “Shatter Me,” I was really going for an edgy “rock-star” sound. I found Lzzy Hale when I was searching YouTube one night; neither of us had ever heard of each other before (laughs). When she agreed to the collaboration, I was beside myself-excited! As you can see we really hit it off.
The video had over three million views in just six days. How floored are you by the response to it?
Floored is an understatement! I mean, I feel very humbled by the fact that the video has been able to reach so many, that fans are watching it multiple times and sharing it with their friends. It is the biggest compliment an artist can receive.
Shatter Me Featuring Lzzy Hale – Lindsey Stirling
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Your videos are so fresh, innovative and a thing of beauty, with “Beyond the Veil” being an excellent example of that beauty. Are they your artistic vision and how much input do you have in them?
I have always loved using parables and symbolism to share a message, so I create many of my songs with a specific story or theme in mind. Once complete, I can create that story and share visually through my videos.
I see that you’re going out on tour soon to promote the album. How does that make you feel? Excited? Nervous? Anxious? All the above rolled into one?
At the moment I’m fighting a cold (laughs), so I’m definitely a bit anxious! I want to feel good, but right now I’m mostly excited. There’s honestly nothing I love more than performing live and meeting fans from all over the world.
You’ve really proven to all of those labels who passed you over that you are the real deal. You used YouTube in a way that many of today’s top artists wished they could. I mean, your videos get views more commonly associated with Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. What do you think you tapped into?
I think I had something unique to offer, something most people hadn’t really seen or heard before (dancing violinist/electronic/dubstep), and I entered the “YouTube” scene at the ideal time, before it was as saturated with talent as it is now. I also made some incredible contacts who helped me get started, like Devin Graham. Devin believed in me, promoted me on his already thriving channel and helped me to start my own.
I saw you when you were on America’s Got Talent and I really thought Sharon (Osbourne) and especially Pierce (Morgan) were harsh on you and downright mean with some of those comments. Rats? Really? You don’t seem like the type of person to rub it in anyone’s face, but there has to be a little sense of redemption when you play a sold-out hall now. I know the show exposed you to a huge audience and was a great platform for you. What did you take away from the show? What did it teach you about yourself?
I honestly look back and am incredibly grateful for the experience. I mean, at the time I was devastated, humiliated, I wondered if they were right and even considered giving up, but the reality was that their comments and lack of faith in me only made me want to succeed more. I wanted to prove them wrong. I don’t feel any animosity towards Pierce. In fact, if I saw him on the street I think I might even give him a hug (laughs), but it does feel good to know that I succeeded despite the odds against me.
I know you’re Mormon and I was wondering if that’s ever come into play when working with an artist or with a song choice? I know you have strong beliefs that you don’t want to compromise and I respect that.
I think that maintaining your standards is a challenge in any industry, but it is often most noticed in music and the arts, where appearance, appeal, and popularity play such a crucial role in success. Modesty in dress, language, and attitude are things I consider extremely sacred, but it is also very easy to rationalize when enticing opportunities come up that may not necessarily match with what I consider “family-friendly” or “uplifting.” Bottom line: I have to constantly remind myself of who I am, why I started doing this, and the impact I want to have.
Going back to song choice, I love The Sing-Off and I was floored by the collaboration with Pentatonix on “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons. How did that collaboration come together?
I had actually been in contact with Pentatonix for a long time before we did our “Radioactive” cover, but we had a difficult time getting together due to our schedules. I had a blast recording and filming with them!
Radioactive – Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix (Imagine Dragons Cover)
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In my opinion, your performance on John Legend’s “All of Me” song took an already beautiful song and elevated to a whole new level. Who put that connection together?
John Legend is actually managed by the same management company as I am (Atom Factory). I had recently signed with them and they helped make that connection happen.
Do you ever teach lessons? I’m sure you have lots of young girls who view you as an inspiration to pick up a violin. What’s that been like to have someone come up to you as say that?
I taught one little girl violin lessons once…never again! Teaching is so hard (laughs)! I absolutely LOVE to hear that someone has picked up violin after hearing me play. I take it as a massive compliment and violin is only the best instrument in the world.
Well, I see our cue to wrap this up. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me today. Do you have a closing message to your fans?
Thanks so much for everything…really. I couldn’t be living my dream, making music or touring the world without your support!
Connect With LINDSEY:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | ITUNES
By: Johnny Price, RockRevolt Lead Senior Journalist
Photo Credit: Oliver Walker for Goldenvoice
