Lindsey Stirling: The Pioneering Violinist of Electronic Dance

Lindsey Stirling is an American violinist, dancer, and performance artist who has carved a unique niche by fusing classical violin with electronic dance music and cinematic pop. Hailing from Santa Ana, California, she rose from internet fame to become a platinum-selling recording artist whose visually stunning videos have amassed billions of views.

Early career

Born in 1986, Lindsey Stirling began playing violin at age five and later studied film at Brigham Young University. Her career began in earnest through the online video platform YouTube, where she posted original compositions and covers. In 2010, she gained wider exposure as a quarter-finalist on America's Got Talent, though judges criticized her style of combining violin with dance.

Breakthrough

Stirling's true breakthrough came independently in 2012 with the self-titled release of her debut album, Lindsey Stirling, on her own label. The album, driven by the viral success of her self-produced music videos like "Crystallize," achieved remarkable success, eventually being certified platinum by the RIAA and peaking at number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Key tracks

Crystallize — This 2012 instrumental track became her signature viral hit, showcasing her choreographed performance style and earning over 250 million YouTube views.

Shatter Me — The 2014 title track from her second album featured vocals by Lzzy Hale of Halestorm and marked a shift toward a fuller, rock-influenced sound.

Roundtable Rival — A high-energy, Western-themed track that exemplifies her ability to create vivid cinematic narratives through instrumental music.

Hold My Heart — A 2022 collaboration with ZZ Ward that highlights Stirling's evolution into incorporating more vocal pop elements while retaining her violin core.

Following her debut's success, Stirling solidified her status with the 2014 album Shatter Me, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. She has since released several successful studio albums, including Brave Enough (2016) and Artemis (2019), and collaborated with artists like Evanescence, John Legend, and Amy Lee. Her Christmas albums, particularly Warmer in the Winter (2017), have also become seasonal staples.

Fans of Lindsey Stirling's blend of classical instrumentation with modern pop and EDM may also enjoy the work of similar artists. The Piano Guys create similarly cinematic and instrumental pop arrangements, often featuring cello. Black Veil Brides shares a flair for theatrical rock performance and visual storytelling. Escala is another string ensemble that crosses over into electronic and pop territory. Apocalyptica pioneered the fusion of cello with heavy metal and symphonic rock.

Lindsey Stirling's dynamic catalog is a favorite on various radio formats, from electronic dance music channels to contemporary instrumental stations and modern rock rotations. Her holiday music receives heavy airplay on seasonal stations, while her epic original compositions feature on independent music radio stations seeking vibrant, genre-defying artists.

You can discover the energetic world of Lindsey Stirling by tuning into the electronic and modern instrumental radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Our curated stations regularly play her hits and deep cuts, offering listeners the perfect gateway to her unique sonic universe.