Lindsey Stirling Performs Exclusive Set At The Recording Academy

Violinist and performance artist Lindsey Stirling recently visited The Recording Academy's headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., to participate in an exclusive GRAMMY.com interview and perform a brief acoustic set. Stirling discussed the evolution of her live performances, the impact social media has had on her career and her 2012 self-titled debut album, among other topics. Stirling's set featured the tracks "Electric Daisy Violin," "Crystallize" and "Elements."

"I absolutely love that through [social media] I was able to just do things the way I want to do it, and I was doing it for fun," said Stirling. "I think that's why people gravitate to artists through YouTube because [they're] doing what [they] absolutely love."

Stirling made waves in 2010 as a quarterfinalist on the television talent show "America's Got Talent." Her experience on the show inspired her to begin composing music and posting original music videos on YouTube. Stirling choreographs and directs all of her videos, including her debut video, 2011's "Spontaneous Me." By blending unique violin stylings and electronic dubstep beats with animated contemporary dance, Sterling has garnered nearly 3 million subscribers to her YouTube channel to date. 

Stirling's self-titled debut album was released in September 2012. Peaking at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Electronics Albums chart, Lindsey Stirling features 12 original tracks, including "Crystallize," which became the No. 8 most-viewed video on YouTube in 2012. In April Stirling inked a deal with Atom Factory, the management company founded by Lady Gaga's manager, Troy Carter. Stirling will kick off a brief tour through Asia and Australia on Aug. 11 in Tokyo.