In this dynamic episode of The Adventures of Pipeman on W4CY Radio, Pipe Man sits down with internationally acclaimed violinist Lindsey Stirling at the Louder Than Life festival. The conversation delves into Lindsey Stirling’s journey redefining the violin, her blend of music and movement, her charitable efforts to eliminate medical debt, the stories that shape her career, the culture she fosters on tour, and her latest projects.Main Topics Covered
- Experiences at Louder Than Life festival
- Lindsey Stirling’s approach to redefining the violin and integrating movement and creativity
- The technical and classical roots of rock and metal music
- Meaningful collaborations and creative process
- The Upside Fund: Lindsey Stirling’s charitable work in alleviating medical debt
- Memorable fan and personal career stories
- Creating a safe, sober touring environment
- Upcoming tours and events
Key Discussions & StoriesRedefining the Violin & Performance
- Lindsey Stirling shares her journey from classical violin training at age six to creatively customizing both her playing style and her violins, treating them as “costumes” (01:44).
- Emphasizes combining violin with movement, dance, and other creative hobbies to make performances dynamic (02:00).
The Intersection of Classical and Rock/Metal
- Pipeman and Lindsey Stirling discuss how rock and metal draw heavily from classical music, referencing the technicality and theory present in both genres (03:08).
Unique Violins & Inspiration
- Lindsey Stirling describes a custom “crossbow violin” inspired by her comic book character Artemis (04:01).
The Upside Fund & Charity Work
- Lindsey Stirling details her charity, The Upside Fund, which uses proceeds from tickets, merch, and her cruise to eliminate medical debt and fund necessary procedures denied by insurance (04:53).
- Reflects on personal and observed struggles with the US medical system (05:23).
Impactful Stories
- Shares a touching story of a fan who, thanks to her charity, was able to have a child after fertility treatments—naming the baby Sterling in her honor (07:28).
Memorable Collaborations & Performances
- Highlights the magic of performing “Survive” with Gloria Gaynor at Radio City Music Hall (09:01).
- Recalls favorite collaboration with Lizzie Hale on the track “Shatter Me” (10:09).
- Discusses recent release, “King of Coins,” a string collaboration with Archai (11:00).
Creating a Safe Tour Culture
- Lindsey Stirling established a drug and alcohol-free environment on tour for safety, mental health, and performance focus (12:05).
- Discusses the positive response from crew members and the importance of making the tour bus feel like home (13:09).
Upcoming Events and Projects
- Announces her annual Christmas tour for November and December (14:07).
- Promotes her charity cruise in January supporting The Upside Fund, with artists including Neon Trees, Against the Current, and Derek Hough (14:21).
Notable Quotes
- “Lindsey Stirling: I’ve really just had so much fun combining the violin with creativity, combining the violin with my hobbies, and just really truly redefining it for myself.” (02:17)
- “Lindsey Stirling: Metal music is very classically based…it’s using a lot of arpeggios, it’s using a lot of the theory, it’s using a lot of the intricate chord structures.” (03:08)
- “Lindsey Stirling: More people get bankrupt in the United States by medical debt than any other cause.” (06:25)
- “I have my baby because of your charity.” (07:42)
- “Lindsey Stirling: I want everyone else to be present with me in the experience. When you’re on tour, that bus is your haven. It’s your mental health space. It’s got to feel safe.” (13:09)
Resources & Links Mentioned
- The Upside Fund: theupsidefund.com
- Donate or apply for help with medical debt
- Access resources on how to decrease medical debt (07:01)
- Featured tracks:
- “Shatter Me” (with Lizzie Hale)
- “King of Coins” (with Archai)
- “Survive” (with Gloria Gaynor)
- Upcoming Events:
- Annual Christmas Tour (November–December)
- Fundraising Cruise in January featuring Neon Trees, Against the Current, Derek Hough, and more (14:21)
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