Hi Lindsey, thanks for grating us this interview. It is a pleasure to have such a famous artist as you on our pages.
In your videos you put on so many masks, so many characters: you became a dryad, a snow queen, a pirate… is there a “mask” that you didn’t do and you would like to? Maybe you are waiting for the right song to give life to this new character.
I always wanted to be a Disney princess, especially Tinkerbell. I auditioned to work at Disneyland years ago, but I was cast as Chip (Chip n’ Dale). I didn’t want to be in a costume like that all day (the Chip character, as many others in Disneyland, is starred by a costumed dancer n.d.r.), so I opted not to do it, but I still would like to have an excuse to dress up like a pixie fairy.
Your videos are suggestive and many people see them on YouTube. About your success, how much do you think it comes from your music and how much from dancing? Would you have had the same success being only a violinist or only a dancer?
I don’t think that doing one or the other would have been as successful at all. I’m not the world’s best dancer nor am I the world’s greatest virtuoso violinist. But I do think that, put together, I was able to create a unique blend of dance and music that people enjoy, and so I was able to develop and perfect my art in a way that is both appealing, professional, and creative. It’s very “me” haha, and I think that’s ultimately why I have been successful. It makes me happy and people feel that, and are able to share in that joy with me.
For “We Found Love” video you visited Kenya and there, you said, you met “world’s most incredible people”. Would you like to talk with us a little more about this experience? Have you ever wished to come back there and stay for a while in that place or maybe to live there?
I would absolutely love to go back to Africa again! What I loved most about these amazing people was their pride in their work. It didn’t matter if they were serving food or sweeping floors or cleaning or cooking or making clothes or whatever. If they had a job, they did it well, and were absolutely happy to have the work. They found joy in serving each other, and were just very simple and happy people. It’s hard to describe the beauty and love of this culture without experiencing it yourself.
[youtube url=”http://youtu.be/0g9poWKKpbU” autohide=”2″ fs=”1″ hd=”1″]
With “Dragon Age: Inquisition” video you are definitively become a Nerd-culture Icon. How do you feel about that? Can define yourself “Nerd”?
Absolutely! I like to think of myself as down-to-earth, I sometimes trip on my way up the stairs, I am awkward around the boys I have crushes on, I don’t often like or wear clothes that are in style at the time… that’s me! Trail-blazers are often seen as being nerdy, and that’s ok. We change the world right?
[youtube url=”http://youtu.be/AuJnvC8voJY” autohide=”2″ fs=”1″ hd=”1″]
In your videos you take inspiration from videogames world, from Zelda to Skyrim or Dragon Age: Inquisition. Could you define yourself an avid gamer? If yes, which are your favorites games?
Unfortunately I just don’t have time to play games anymore (except maybe occasionally on the tour bus after a show), but when I did I enjoyed dancing games (Dance Dance Revolution, Just Dance) and Mario games. All of my friends played Zelda when I was a kid, so that game is very nostalgic for me.
[youtube url=”http://youtu.be/b3KUyPKbR7Q” autohide=”2″ fs=”1″ hd=”1″]
In “Master of Tides” video you made a great spontaneous live performance with UE BOOM TEAM. It was not an easy show, settled in a fountain, but at the end, it was a success. How do you feel about this kind of live performance, when everything can happen and where you can face any kind of people’s reaction?
“Master of Tides was a sponsored video, and my sponsor really wanted to do a spontaneous, one-take performance in public. I wasn’t sure how it would even work, but I thought, “ok why not? Let’s do it!” It turned out significantly better than I ever imagined and was a really fun and unique experience. I gotta say, I was super nervous (super laugh E.N.).
YouTube and social media give you the opportunity to become the star that you are. Do you think that now anyone has the same opportunity? Or something is changed in Internet for the ones that start in this moment and don’t have big fun’s number to support their work? Do you have some good advice for new artists and YouTubers?
I feel like I was really lucky… I got on the YouTube bandwagon right when it was starting to take off and becoming more popular. I think it’s definitely still possible to “make it” using YouTube. I mean look at Meghan Trainor (All About the Bass)! She became a hit overnight and is now signed with Atom Factory. But I will say it seems to be getting more and more difficult to be “seen” on YouTube because it is so saturated with talent. As far as advice for new artists, I always suggest collaborating with another YouTube musician with a similar fan base, and as your fan base grows, it will make you more attractive to bigger artists. And you just work your way up. Collaborating is a win-win situation for both, because both artists have the opportunity to gain new subscribers.
And now stop with social and come back to the music. Are there some artists that use in a “new unusual way” classic instruments that inspired you? Which is your favorite musician/band?
Growing up I loved the music of Bond, Vanessa Mae, and David Garrett.
In many video you use your music (or the violin bows) like a weapon. In “Roundtable Rival”, for example; or like a shield in Dragon Age’s video or to calm down zombies… So we would ask you: do you have ever felt like your music is your only weapon? And which are the foes, the battles that the music can win?
Absolutely! I believe music has literal power behind it that can be used to motivate, energize, sustain, and support us, especially when we’re “down.” Life can be a beast; it’s hard! I can’t imagine getting through those hard times without music. Music can be used for good or for evil, and I like to think of my music as a force for good.
We are grateful for your time and we will continue to follow you.
