The multi-billion dollar self-help industry could be in crisis if more people went to a Lindsey Stirling concert.
“Desire [the audience] having a good time and, like, smiling and feeling all that joy,” says the effervescent violinist. Billboard's Behind the tracklist podcast while on tour to promote his latest album, Duality“But I also want people to leave the concert feeling empowered. I want them to think, ‘Oh my God, if this random girl once decided to dance and play the violin and make her own costumes, if she can do it, so can I. I can believe in myself. I can be better. I can be happy.’”
Aside from yoga sessions at Coachella or Bonnaroo, a Lindsey Stirling concert may be the only place to get an inspiring message and communal relaxation interspersed with genre-busting music and dazzling spectacle. “I actually do guided breath work for the audience” during the song “Between Twilight,” she says, “where as I’m playing, they close their eyes and there’s a voice guiding them to inhale and exhale in different breathing patterns.” It’s a chance to slow down after a “really heavy” initial part of her performance, she explains, and it’s become “a fun thing that’s great for me to be able to share from my own life.”
Stirling first came to America's attention as a contestant on the show America's Got Talent In 2010, Stirling took part in a reality TV show and made it to the quarter-finals before being axed. Her mix of classically influenced pop music and dancing (while playing the violin) didn't connect with judge Piers Morgan. But by 2013, Stirling had a YouTube following and was managed by Troy Carter, Lady Gaga's then manager.
A decade later, Stirling has a string of hit albums, tours the world and uses her popularity to fund her nonprofit. The Upside Fundwhich has so far settled $15 million of people's medical debt. Stirling says he donates $1 from every ticket sale and 10% of merchandise sales from his tour to the charity, and will donate all of the proceeds from his Master of Tides cruise in May 2025. “It's something I'm really passionate about after seeing people I love go through the stress of the medical system,” he explains.
Listen to the full interview with Lindsey Stirling in the embedded Spotify player below, or go to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Amazon Music either As long as.
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