Pieces of Me

I had several ideas for the name of this post. Like "Nerds are the Best," or "When Old and New Meet." But I decided on the title you see because the couple videos I'm going to show you are things that really, really move me. (You can click the full screen option on each video by clicking the broken square on the bottom right.)

I love music. My taste in music is varied, and I can find a song or few I love in almost every genre, except rap. I guess I'm old fashioned that way. I love when music combines old and new ideas, like taking some very awesome violin and a capella sounds to make an extraordinary visual and auditory experience.

When I'm feeling motivated, or a little down, music is sure to get me moving or put a smile on my face, and just plain make me feel better. A couple years ago, I found a few EXTREMELY talented musicians...on YouTube.

The first is Lindsey Sterling. She plays violin, and I don't think anyone plays it better. In this video, she combines three things I very much enjoy...violin, dragons and Dragon Age. She's a nerd like me, and her imagination and artistry outdo my own. To me, the subtlest nuances in these videos convey a deep meaning to me. Like in this one, where the warrior gives Lindsey a sideways glance of acknowledgment, and she returns it with a slight nod...so much meaning in such a small act. And most people don't even notice...

This is another of Lindsey's videos. If it doesn't lift your heart, you are an alien. Another reason I like Lindsey is because she's also a great person in real life, with a genuine caring heart.

Then there's Peter Hollens. This guy is just an all around great guy. I was drawn to his videos when I discovered that he and Lindsey Sterling did a cover of the Skyrim theme, Peter uses just his voice, over multiple tracks to create some very awesome music. I also like his usually upbeat songs. He's done covers of lots of songs, from times past and present. In all these videos, you can tell these guys are doing what they LOVE, and doing it well...

But then I found this one last night, and I realized that each of these songs represent a little of me, and maybe that's why I'm so touched by them. Listening to them reminds me about something about myself and life I've experienced. The lyrics and sounds combine to make something meaningful to me. Each of these tell a story about a piece of my life that bring back both painful and joyful memories. This one tells the story of a piece of my childhood, although it doesn't define my childhood. But I'd be lying if I said there weren't times during my awkward youth that I wasn't singing this song in my head. 

Here's another by Lindsey Sterling I like. I know it's a little corny, but the violin is fantastic, and you have to admire her for her imagination. And I can imagine how fun this video must have been to make. Lindsey's a great storyteller, both in dance and music... If only our wars were fought with violins and guitars...

And this next one is one of my all time favorites. It's Lindsey with an a capella group, Pentatonix. I love when an a capella can do this with no other instruments than a violin and cello. At the 1 minute mark is my favorite--that super slight pause and the flip of the violin bow to go into the chorus. The imagination and quality of these videos astound me. They're better than what the "super famous" musicians do, by far.

I do dabble with guitar, can play a little piano, and I can even play a very little violin. But I wish I had even a minuscule amount of Lindsey's talent. I realize my talents lie elsewhere, but for me, there's nothing more moving than the violin...

We are all important and unique. Each one of us is a multi-faceted gem, and I hope you enjoyed a peek into a few facets of me. You might find a piece of yourself in these videos, too, or your facets may be different colors, but they're ALL beautiful. Art and inspiration is where YOU find it.

Here's a bonus track from Pentatonix, for the older folks who read my blog...