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| source: http://www.lindseystirling.com/ |
Szymon: I
made an interview with you 4 years ago. And these were very important years for
you. In 2012 you were just becoming more and more popular over internet. You
started playing live in US as well. But some time later the popularity changed
into fame. Your videos have over 50 million of views on youtube. You started
playing concerts around the world. You issued 2 longplay albums, played
together with numerous other artists. How do you feel with such a popularity?
Lindsey: It is very humbling and I feel very very blessed to have the
opportunity that success on a monetary level has provided. I am able to
make music full time, go on tour, make my wildest dreams a reality! It’s
mind-blowing to me; hard to believe sometimes. As a person, however, I
don’t feel any different. I’m still Lindsey. I’m no more “special”
or less “special” than I was in 2012, ever was, or ever will be. And I my
goal has always been to see myself and others that way. It’s hard
sometimes NOT to gage my success by how many albums and tickets I sell, or by
how many likes I get on my Facebook page and YouTube channel. But the
truth is, success can not be measured by what others think of you. True
success is finding happiness and making the best of whatever situation you are
in, loving yourself DESPITE failure or fame…regardless. And I think that
simply existing in such a way that you make this world a better place and
making a positive difference…even if it is just to one single person…is the
true measure of a successful person.
Szymon: Did
you expect, that you will become such a famous person?
Lindsey: Had I not believed it was possible, I wouldn’t be here. I’m
not sure I necessarily EXPECTED it, but I hoped and moved forward with the
expectation that I could make it happen. Or rather, that if it is what
God wanted for me, that HE would make it happen. I was always taught growing up
that with God, all things are possible. So why not? Why not me?
And why not you?
Szymon: Do
you like being famous and recognizable? how do you cope with challenges of
fame?
Lindsey: Honestly…if I told you I didn’t I would be lying. Ever since
I was a little kid, I’ve always loved performing, getting up in front of
people, being the center of attention haha. Not much has changed…I still
love those things. I think the biggest challenge for me has been the
pressures that some of the media puts on performers to sell themselves through
sex and vulgarity. My goal has always been to be a good example,
especially to young girls. I wanted to show the world that it is possible
to be successful and still maintain high moral standards…even the seemingly
strict standards of the Mormon faith. It proved to be much more
challenging than I thought it would be, as I found myself turning down
opportunities that seemed very lucrative, but that would have required me to
take part in things that I did not feel like I could support. There were
times when I wondered if I was ever going to be able to live my dreams without
making those compromises…compromises I was unwilling to make. But with
time, I was able to reach my goals and the sacrifices along the way have been
entirely worth it.
Szymon: You
are about to start new concert tour - many concerts in US and some in Europe,
including Germany. Do you enjoy such a lifestyle? Is playing concerts good fun,
or rather hard work?
Lindsey: I LOVE going on tour. I love the energy of the crowds,
performing my music all over the world, meeting fans who have supported me all
of these years. I live for it! I will say that I’m probably the
most enthusiastic at the beginning of every tour, and near the end of every
tour I feel myself winding down, ready for a break, and yearning for my own bed
and my mom’s homemade refried beans. But after getting home, not a month
goes by and I’m eagerly planning for my next tour again.
Szymon: Looking
into the past - would you change anything about your career if you had a chance
to do so?
Lindsey: Oh there are plenty of things I would do differently if I could go
back. Lots! But would I take any of it back? I don’t think I
would. Because the mistakes are what has taught me the most, and my goal
after every mistake has been to learn and use it to my advantage as I tackle
life’s challenges in the future. The path I have taken to get here, the
people I’ve met, the music I’ve made, the mistakes and the triumphs…they have
all taken me down the path that has led me to where I am today. And I’m
grateful for that.
Szymon: What
is the best way of earning big money - playing concerts, issuing vidoes or
albums?
Lindsey: Touring has the potential to make good money, but it’s also
extremely expensive to be on the road. Most artists consider themselves
very fortunate if they break-even on tour. YouTube has been very good to
me. And my albums have sold well. I’m honestly not sure which
brings in more than the other.
Szymon: You
became an inspiration to many young people, who started learning violin. Are
you aware of such effect? How do you feel as a person, who has a real impact on
others hobbies?
Lindsey: I LOVE reading messages from fans who have started learning an
instrument after listening to my music. Music has played a pivotal role
in my life. I believe that music has the power to change lives for the
better, both for the performer/creator, and the listener. And so if I can
inspire others to make their own music and share that love of music with
others, I couldn’t be happier!
Szymon: What
are your plans after the summer tour? Do you intend to create next music
videos, or rather concetrate on playing concerts?
Lindsey: I’m definitely going to try to make some videos in between tours.
YouTube and creating readily viewable, visual representations of my work
is something I am still very passionate about. As for the timing/when,
that has yet to be determined.
Szymon: In
general, are you going to follow your 'old path', or do you want to change
direction in your career?
Lindsey: My goal is that my foundation always remain the same: 1) Improve
myself personally/do what God wants me to do. 2) Create uplifting music. 3)
Share it.
Lindsey: How I share it and exactly what music I create will certainly
change over time, because times change. As a musician in a rapidly
changing world, I know how important it is to be able to adjust, use the
resources available, and be creative…because that is what it takes to stand out
and to continue standing out.
Szymon: What
advice would you give to people who dream about building their careers basing
on youtube?
Lindsey: Like I said before, you have to find your niche, and it needs to
stand out. Dare to be different. There is no one else on the planet
just like you! You’re one in a trillion! So find your audience,
interact with them (your fans), let them know you appreciate their patronage.
And collaborate with other YouTube artists who have a similar number of
subscribers as you do, then work your way up.
Szymon: Do
you have any specific memories about your visits and concerts in Poland
(October 2014)?
Lindsey: During one of my visits to Poland, a huge group of fans met me
outside after an interview to wish me happy birthday. I had been feeling
so sorry for myself…being away and alone on my birthday haha…and it TOTALLY
made my day! (this event can be seen on Youtube here -author's comment) It was an amazing birthday surprise. Poland has been
very good to me and I absolutely love my Polish fans. Some of my fans
even created an Official Lindsey Stirling Poland page for me on Facebook years
ago. Most of the original admins for the page are still there, posting on
a daily basis, and the page is still very active. (Here were admin names and surnames, that I removed - author's comment)
are the current admins and they do amazing work! Thank you so much to all
of my fans in Poland; your support means the world to me!
The Polish translation of the interview can be found here
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