Lindsey Stirling: The Pioneering Violinist of Electronic Dance Music

Lindsey Stirling is an American violinist, dancer, and composer who revolutionized the perception of classical instruments in modern pop and EDM. Hailing from Santa Ana, California, she achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first artist to land consecutive albums at number one on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart.

Early career

Born in 1986, Stirling began playing violin at age five and later studied music at Brigham Young University. Her initial rise to public attention came in 2010 as a quarter-finalist on the television show America's Got Talent, where judges critiqued her hip-hop violin act as lacking broad appeal. Undeterred, she independently cultivated a massive online following by self-releasing innovative music videos on YouTube, blending violin melodies with electronic beats and intricate choreography.

Breakthrough

Stirling's independent persistence paid off spectacularly with her self-titled debut album in 2012. The album, released on her own label via a distribution deal, was a slow-burning success, eventually climbing to number 23 on the Billboard 200 and being certified platinum. Its lead single, Crystallize, became a viral YouTube sensation, amassing over 200 million views and solidifying her status as a digital-age pioneer.

Key tracks

Crystallize — This 2012 dubstep-infused track was her viral breakthrough, winning YouTube's award for top video of the year.

Shatter Me — The title track from her 2014 sophomore album featuring Lzzy Hale, it marked her first top 40 entry on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

Roundtable Rival — A fiery, Western-themed instrumental single that showcases her signature high-energy performance style and complex violin work.

Hold My Heart — A 2020 collaboration with ZZ Ward that highlights her evolution into incorporating more vocal pop elements into her electronic foundation.

Following her debut's success, Stirling's 2014 album Shatter Me debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold, featuring collaborations with artists like Halestorm's Lzzy Hale and Dia Frampton. She has since released several successful studio albums including Brave Enough (2016), which won a Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Album, and Artemis (2019). Her collaborations span a wide range, from electronic producers like Tritonal and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness to classical crossover stars like Evanescence's Amy Lee on the 2021 album Artemis: Remixes.

Fans of Lindsey Stirling's unique fusion of cinematic violin and electronic energy also enjoy the genre-blending sounds of The Piano Guys. This group similarly creates contemporary classical and pop crossover music with viral appeal. The dramatic, instrumental rock of Apocalyptica offers a heavier, cello-driven counterpart to Stirling's style. Listeners might also appreciate the electronic and orchestral soundscapes of Blackmill, which share an atmospheric quality with some of Stirling's work. For another powerful female instrumentalist in the rock sphere, explore Yvette Young, known for her intricate guitar work and melodic sensibilities.

Lindsey Stirling's dynamic catalog is a staple on various electronic, classical crossover, and modern rock radio stations featured on this website. Her infectious instrumentals and visually stunning concepts resonate strongly with audiences of online radio streams and independent music radio stations that champion innovative artists.

You can discover the captivating music of Lindsey Stirling by tuning into the electronic and modern rock radio stations available on onairium.com, where her pioneering violin-driven anthems are regularly featured in rotation.