Lindsey Stirling - One of the wildest Violinists EVER!

The Violin is something that is calm and soothing and most of us do think of Violins as a part of a Symphony/Orchestral groups. And then comes along Lindsey Stirling, an American Violinist whose music will put all our presumptuous doltishness to rest. She is like one of the Powerpuff girls. I am pretty sure she was "sculpted" using sugar, spice and everything nice. Then came chemical X which gave her super powers.

OK, now back to being serious. Her music is like a tidal wave that hits you with tremendous force and energy. She somehow has managed to squeeze in all sorts of aspects of music into her compositions. Her compositions have been infused with The Harp, Dubstep, Rock n' Roll and what not. These are the kind of things that make an artist incredible. The energy and the flamboyance with which she plays is phenomenal and the way she structures her music (be it the originals or the covers) is something that is extremely smooth (even here smooth seems to be an understatement). 

Lindsey is one artist who is a pleasure to watch. Purely because of the sheer energy and her florid playing style. Some musicians are great to listen to, some are great to watch. Lindsey Stirling is a beautiful lump of both. Apart from the fact that she is extremely talented she is also extremely cute (I don not mean this in any perverted manner whatsoever). Her expressions and music is a combination that will make you smile. Her renditions of The Lord Of The Rings theme and Phantom Of  The Opera are psychedelically hallucinatory. She enjoys her playing which is evident in pretty much all of her videos.

Here is one of her songs - Moon Trance (the video shall remind of Michael Jackson's Thriller in bits and pieces):

 

Montana Skies - The Cello-Guitar fusion!

Their name is a metaphor for musical freedom (according to their website). And when you listen to their music you will definitely agree. Jonathan (Classical Guitar) and Jennifer (Cello) are the duo that comprises Montana Skies. A duo that is unique, talented and quite mesmerizing to hear. Their music is pretty much similar to drugs/alcohol (or whatever way you like getting intoxicated). Montana Skies' music will please your ears, take you on a high and will make sure you sway one way or another.
Jonathan's Guitar playing is quite scrumptious (Yes, you read that right. It is bloody delicious) and his feel is full of flamboyance and resplendence. What amazes me about his technique is the ease by which he pulls off his playing. It looks way too easy and effortless (and mind you, it really isn't).
Jennifer's Cello playing has the perfect pinch of aggression and smoothness to make sure that the music hits the perfect musical spot. Her melody lines and phrasing is serene and well as bold. It is quite lovely when you hear John and Jen's (Yes they're also called like that) playing. Their music is something that will hit you instantly and about 10 seconds into any of their songs you will probably find yourself in a parallel universe of sorts.You can find more music on their website and you can also purchase the album from there. Don't think twice. Go for it.
Finding the right video to put here was quite difficult, I can assure you. All their songs are so nicely done. After a lot of thought and what not I have decided to show you their version of Pink Floyd's - Another Brick In The Wall.

Akin Unver - Talent from another dimension

As a musician, when I watch/hear a super talented artist there are one of the two feelings that I go through:
1. Get Inspired - Practice harder
2. This artist's a genius. Don't even try catching up with him/her
Akin Unver gave me a bit of both feelings. This is the first time that something like this has ever happened to me. He is a multi- faceted instrumentalist. I have watched videos of him where he plays The Chapman Stick, Guitar, The Cello and The Piano. The really cool part? He's equally good at playing all the instruments. We have all heard of "The Jack of All Trades". Well this guy is a master of all trades. His original compositions as well as covers speak volumes of musical (ingenious) beauty. Akin Unver is skilled and one can't help but think if he hails from a parallel universe where all the uber-talented people belong. The more you listen to him the more elated you feel. Akin Unver is pure talent and he is someone who should be touring the world (and other planets where life may exist). He is that good. His songs are beautifully structured and his compositions as well as his playing ability is something that are woven in gold. When you listen to his music you can't point out to one favorite. All of his songs are bloody brilliant. He's even played Bach on the Chapman Stick. He is definitely one the most unique artists I have com across in a long time. You can listen to his songs on his website and I do recommend you go there right now and listen/watch his stuff. You shall not be disappointed. Here's a video of him playing The Sonata in F minor by Domenico Scarlatti on the Chapman Stick (even deciding what video of his to put took me quite a while. Again, yes, he is that good!):

Sacha Talens - Music that will grow on you

Let's start by being honest here. The first time I heard a Sacha Talens song it didn't really hit my musical sweet spot. However, a while later I decided to give his songs another listen. And WHAM! It hit me bang in the center of my sweet spot.
Sacha Talens' music is the kind that won't grasp your ear buds instantly. But it grows. Steady, smooth and nice, it grows on you and at the end of it you thank the heavens that you gave this man another listen. His music is not something that is usual. It isn't something that will make you go "Ahh yes! Typical singer-songwriter". There is this unexplained rawness in his music and his voice. There are always things in the world you look/hear/feel and you never know why those things are so beautiful. Sacha Talens' music is one of those things. You hear his music and somehow it has the ability to make you feel at ease. His songs have a bit of a bumpy quirkiness, some nice grooves, really well-written lyrics, beautiful chord patterns and a voice that is probably the perfect lining around the song. It is like eating a delicious pie blindfolded. His first album, The Bathurst Moment, is releasing on 14th January, 2013. You can check out his songs on his website.
Here is a video of his song Fish Tank Blues:

Mustered Courage - What a band!!!!

Here comes another talented act from Australia. They call themselves Mustered Courage and from the first time I heard one of their tracks on YouTube they have been my go to artists when I am in a desperate need of a smile on my face. Mustered Courage are an alternative/bluegrass/folk 4-piece outfit that make some jolly good music. The band comprises Nick Keeling (Lead vocals and Banjo), Julian Abrahams (Guitar and Vocals), Josh Bridges (Bass and Vocals) and Paddy Montgomery (Mandolin and Vocals). Calling the band tight would be an understatement. Their music is something that is exuberant and will definitely put a smile on your face (similar to the smile when you thank god for something wonderful).
Nick's Banjo playing and vocals are quite brilliant. He has this special sort of vibe that adds a lot of groove to the band. When you look at Julian you may most probably may think of him as just another guitar player. Watch/hear a few of the band's songs and your opinion will change in a matter of a few seconds. His guitar playing is crisp and clear and his playing style is something that you wont get to hear too often. Paddy Montgomery is the silent-type (or so he looks) Mandolin player of the band. His Mandolin playing adds a new dimension to the band and keeps the sound of their songs alive and kicking! Josh's playing is something that holds the band together in perfect sync. Playing the Bass in an outfit such as this is definitely not an easy job, but Josh seems to have perfect bass lines to keep it moving and grooving.
Their vocal harmonies are incredible. An outfit that has all four members singing and playing with insane harmonizing skills is something that is extremely rare to find. Their first album is out and is available on their website. Definitely a must buy.
Here's a video of the band covering Seal's Kiss from a rose:

Vika goes wild and how!!!!

Her You Tube username is vkgoeswild. When you watch the first 30 seconds of a video of hers, you'll probably realize that her username is perfect. Then as the video proceeds, you'll realize that "goes wild" is pretty much of an understatement. Yes, she is that good.
Her finesse over the piano is incredible and passionate. Generally, if you watch a lot of pianists play there is this smooth movement about them that catches your eye. Vika, on the other hand, is aggressive and passionate. She is unlike any other pianist I have watched. Her playing is fiery and brings out a certain power (something I would personally relate to a superhero of sorts). She isn't one of your average pianists who would go ahead and just play with typical smooth movements. She is a beast who will sway left, right and center with her fingers creating magic.
When you watch and hear certain musicians play there are quite a few similar qualities you find in almost all of them. But with her it is a totally different ballgame. Her style of playing will pounce on you, very similar to a slick tiger pouncing on you when you are not watching. She has tons and tons of stuff on her You Tube channel and the best part is that she takes requests. She has songs of her own as well as a lot of covers (do check out the Metallica ones).
She has an album of sorts with several classical pieces and she has given them her own Vika touch. It is something worth buying and you can get it on her website.
Here's a video of hers to get you all pumped up (Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses):

Thomas Zwijsen - Iron Maiden on classical

This is one guy who blew me away like a nuclear bomb was planted in my head. Thomas Zwijsen plays Iron Maiden on a nylon-classical guitar. Yes, you read that right. A nylon-classical guitar. I stumbled onto him while I was on an Iron Maiden trip. His guitar playing and arrangements of Iron Maiden songs were stupendous to say the least. At the end of every song I felt the need to stand up and applaud. This man has the ability to transform Iron Maiden's songs into soothing, resplendent and gracious tunes. He is one guy who's pretty much paid justice to Iron Maiden in his own unique way.
Watching him play is quite a treat. He enjoys his playing (which is evident when he smiles), his one finger is enough to devour a guitar and he adds a very different kind of exquisiteness to the usually powerfully-dark Maiden songs.
His album Nylon Maiden is up for grabs on his website. His album has 11 unique arrangements of Iron Maiden songs and I would definitely suggest you to go pick this up.

Here's a video of him playing The Clansman (with Blaze Bayley - ex vocalist for Iron Maiden):