Lindsey Stirling
Interview conducted on February 05, 2021
By Dan Locke
The violin can be whatever you want it to be. Happiness is a choice.
You started to play violin at the age of 5. How did you get your first violin, and do you still have it?
It was a tiny little thing and we rented it since my parents couldn’t afford to buy it. Maybe some little kid is learning on it right now.
Do you have any collective violin such as Martin Swan, Stradivari, Lord Wilton Guarneri del Gesu, or a Vogel?
My favorite violin I have is a German made Roth violin from the early 1900’s.
How was it to perform for the state title of Arizona Junior Miss and claim the Spirit Award at the America Junior Miss final competition?
Performing in AJM was where I first discovered that I could create a violin performance that involved contemporary beats, movement, and fun fashion. When I was on that stage, I awoke part of my passion that I didn’t know existed. I would have never known that my performance that night would have changed the trajectory of my life. I didn’t win the competition and the performance didn’t lead to anything immediate, but you never know what seeds you’re planting as we go.
In 2010, you were on America Got Talent. You did not win, but what lessons did you go home with?
The biggest lesson I learned is that what may seem like the end of the road is often just a bump in the road. After I got kicked off AGT, I was humiliated and ready to quit. I didn’t think I could ever step on a stage again. But once the extreme pain went away, I kept feeling that it wasn’t time to give up yet. That I needed to keep trying. I have learned that your heart and spirit will never lead you astray. So, I picked up my broken pride and my dusty violin and I started to go after plan B, C, D, and so forth. Eventually I discovered YouTube and it changed everything for me.
Do you feel that shows like America Got Talent can help young performers?
Hmm… I think they can help kick start young careers for sure. It doesn’t make you a successful performer, though. People need to see the show as a great first step to set them up to then chase after the career they want.
What makes a good songwriter? What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
A good songwriter is someone who keeps writing. My first song was called “Violin Rock” hahaha. Yep, super cool. I recorded it in my parents’ basement when I was 18.
Tell me about your latest video/single “Lose You Now” (feat. Mako).
This was such a special song. It isn’t only about loss but more importantly, it’s about how we can keep our loved ones with us even after they’ve passed on. I lost my best friend and dad several years ago and I believe so strongly that they are my guardian angels and that they are with me.
It has been over a year since the release of your latest album Artemis. How is the planning for the World Tour coming?
It’s done. We started the tour and we were lucky enough to do the whole European tour last year. So, all the choreography and music are done and all the costumes, props and sets are sitting in storage. It was such a fun show. I hope we get to bring it to the States this summer.
During the lockdown, you came up with a thing called String Sessions. How was to work with the likes of Gabby Barrett, Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, JP Saxe, Julia Michaels Amy Lee of Evanescence and Andy Grammer?
So fun. I loved hearing their stories of resilience and their experiences. Felt like I was just chatting with friends.
You closed out 2020 with a live streaming holiday special “Lindsey Stirling: Home for the Holiday” in which you wore many hats to get it completed. Was this the first time you did a large project like this?
I’ve creative directed and basically done the same thing for every tour I’ve gone on and I’ve planned, directed and edited countless music videos. This project felt very familiar in that regard, but it was unique because I’ve never combined the two crafts before.
Tell me about your non-profit charity outreach program, “The Upside Fund”.
I’ve donated for several years to help families with medical bills, but due to all the stress and pressures of COVID I wanted to expand it to help more. You see, when the pandemic hit, I was so grateful that I was financially ok. I made sure my family was ok, then the people I worked with, I made sure they were ok. Next, I reached out to my fan community to ask them if they were ok. As expected, I received thousands of requests for funds and I created The Upside Fund so I could officially and legally gift money to fans. It’s been amazing that a lot of fans have donated to the fund as well. The Upside Fund is now a place where fans can go to give or to receive help.
