If you are currently wondering who the hardest-working person in the entertainment industry is, after this interview, we are fully convinced it is Lindsey Stirling! From making her costumes, playing the violin flawlessly, writing her music, and crafting a social media presence that has lasted the test of time, truly, Lindsey Stirling can do it all! We have been on the sidelines watching Lindsey explode onto the scene since the early days when we would wait in hotel lobbies at Vidcon to meet her and other online creators, it’s that serious for us!
Lindsey recently released her newest album, Duality, and it showed that she embodies exactly as the title states. The record takes the listener through what feels like such a deeply personal experience while still remaining relatable in a way that you think for a minute maybe the songs are about you and your life. We were lucky enough to chat with Lindsey about this record, and we hope you love this interview as much as we do!
Listen to Duality here!
You’re about to head out on a pretty lengthy tour across the EU/UK, are there any places you’re particularly excited to visit?
I’ve been to all these cities before and played many of these venues already, but the Royal Albert Hall is a new one—and it’s been on my bucket list. So, I’m super excited to play there.
You recently released your seventh album, Duality (incredible accomplishment, BTW), which explores inner conflict and identity. Can you share more about the themes and what inspired the concept?
The theme for Duality came from deep reflection over the last few years. We are all so complex and conflicted, but these conflicting parts make us powerful. They allow us to choose who we want to be because both strength and weakness are within us, and both abundance and lack are around us. We constantly have to choose which part of ourselves we’re going to bring out.
The concept of Duality is one we love so much! Was there a specific song that made the overlying theme of the record click for you? Or did you go into the process of crafting these tracks with the premise already in your mind?
As I was writing the music, I kept trying to narrow down the sound of the album. The more I tried to contain it, the more frustrated and blocked I felt. Finally, I let myself write what I felt and stopped trying to box it in. All these different sounds and styles started coming out. In the end, it almost felt like I was writing two different albums. Half the music sounded super fresh and pop-leaning, while the other half sounded more magical and cinematic, yet both styles felt like they came from my heart. It was as if my conflicting duality came out through the sounds, and it felt beautiful to celebrate it all.
Even though writing about these themes can absolutely be a form of catharsis, it can also take a toll on building a persona around personal struggle. Do you ever notice this and what are some ways you practice self-care to avoid burnout?
I definitely get burned out, especially in writing. Writing is hard work because you’re trying to capture something so intangible, like feeling, through something else intangible, like sound. When I face burnout, I give myself a creative win. By that, I mean doing something creative that I know I can succeed in, like scrapbooking or working on a costume. It reminds me that creativity can and should be fun and freeing. When we get stuck, we often forget how magical creation is, so I remind myself by exploring a different creative medium.
The violin is a unique instrument to go “mainstream” with! How do you think this element of your music has given you an edge or created challenges in developing your career?
Being unique has made things easier and harder at the same time. Haha! On one hand, it gives me the edge of being unique. There were literally no dancing violinists when I started, so I created my own lane and it helped me stand out in the saturated music field. But being unique means some people will love you, and others won’t understand you at all. I’ve received a lot of criticism from the classical community for not being “good enough,” the EDM world thought I wasn’t “EDM enough” when I was doing dubstep, and the pop world thinks I’m too unique for radio. I find myself pushing for festival placements because I’m not mainstream enough. I don’t fit into a box—and I’ve learned that’s okay. I’ll stay in my own lane, where there’s a lot of room and freedom.
Not only are you an incredible violinist, but you also set yourself apart with your energetic performances. Was the duality (no album title pun intended) of the classical instrument and the adventurous performance something you always saw yourself doing?
I always wanted to figure out how to make my performance style energetic enough to match the music. The music that came out of me was bold and big, so I had to learn to become a bold performer.
We heard that you design the costumes on your tours yourself. What kind of process goes into designing a show outfit?
Costuming always comes from the music. What colors do I see when I hear the song? What style of dance are we doing? Does it require something flowing, sassy, or modern? Is there a story we’re trying to tell? All these factors determine the costumes.
Earlier this year, you surprised a younger fan of yours who also seems interested in being a violinist at the NAMM Yamaha booth. Do you frequently hear these types of stories? How do you want your career to inspire the younger generation who want to follow in your footsteps?
That was such a sweet moment at NAMM! I love meeting my young, aspiring artist fans. I hope my music inspires them to find themselves in their music. I think the necessary rigor of training and practice sometimes makes us forget that’s the point.
Speaking of violin, you have your very own Signature Yamaha Violin, which we have to say is so gorgeous. Can you tell us a bit about how this collaboration came about and what it means to you?
Yes, I have my own signature violin. A good instrument is so important for feeling confident in your craft. I wanted to create a violin that could help my fans feel confident. It has some custom features that I’ve put on my own violins in the past, like special tuning pegs that make tuning easier. I took the first prototype on tour and played it on stage for a year before releasing it to make sure I approved it. It’s a great violin.
Even though you have such an incredible collaborative past, with names like Celine Dion and Gloria Gaynor, do you have any dream collaborations you would like to see come to life at some point in your career?
P!nk & Coldplay.
Between YouTube and TikTok, you’ve gathered such a sizable online audience! What advice would you give to any young creatives looking to build their following on these platforms?
I’d say, just start and keep going. Social media is a long game. It’s not about a viral moment; it’s about being consistent over a long period.
While we’re on the subject of TikTok, we love the TikToks you do with the audience in so many of your shows! What goes into these impromptu video recording sessions? Have you ever come up with ideas in the middle of a concert?
I usually have a plan before the show if I’m going to film a TikTok. It’s always a surprise for the audience, and I improvise and go with the flow depending on how they’re reacting. It’s quite fun! When I first started, it was intimidating to go off-script mid-show, but it created a really fun engagement with the crowd. I have so many funny memories from these moments when I get to let loose with my fans.
Your career has been filled with so many incredible and iconic accomplishments! Was there a time for you that truly stuck out to you as a “Holy sh*t, I made it” moment?
Performing Gloria Gaynor’s song was an epic moment. Playing at Lollapalooza Paris in front of 50,000 people was unforgettable. And watching Suni Lee perform her Olympic gymnastics routine to my song, ‘Eye of the Untold Her,’ was iconic!
You’ve talked about being grateful for not just simply doing what you love but being surrounded by a team that often turns into a family. What are some of your favorite traits in people you know you will work with for a while?
Everyone on my team is kind. We try to include each other—there’s no A party and B party. Everyone treats everyone equally. We also value team players who are willing to step into any role to get the job done. And humor! Humor helps a lot.
The Upside Fund is an incredible organization that has helped so many people! Can you tell us a bit more about the process of starting an organization like this and why it was important for you to focus on campaigning for medical debt and healthcare relief?
The Upside Fund was inspired by the passing of my dad and my best friend. I saw how messed up our medical system is in the U.S. and how so many people can’t get the help they need and end up buried in debt for life. I wanted to help people who are trapped, so they can get the medical help they actually need without paying for it forever.
Finally, you have contributed to soundtracks such as Good Sam and Castlevania: Nocturne. If you could associate Duality with a film or television show, what would it be?
I love fantasy. I feel like this album fits into that world.
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We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite song off of the new Lindsey Stirling album, Duality? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok!
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