Live Music Review: KevinMThomas Carpool @ Red Rock

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
KevinMThomas Carpool
Red Rock
4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Why does everyone IM me when I'm reviewing but leave me totally alone when I'm free and got nothing to do!

Here's someone with a fascinating sound and a huge personality, and did I mention he can really belt out his tunes. I cannot recall hearing a guy in Second Life really belting this much like the way Kevin does and his voice is absolutely powerful. It certainly can fill a stadium if that opportunity ever arise.

He has a lot of original music, at least a CD worth in fact. But again we run into the fact that he plays a ton more covers then he does his originals. Though when he does his originals, he tells it very clearly and made sure we know it's an original and that's absolutely fantastic.

Well KevinMThomas Carpool does have solid voice and...

... very polished and strong performance. But comparing the sounds on his Myspace, I much rather hear him sing his own songs. He has this really big personality, yelling out to the audience as if he's standing at a real life stage with an audience there. [Update: Though at times it was a tad bit too much. But I suppose that's what this music is.]

He called out my name a couple of times, I think he read my profile in the show and doesn't know who I really am. I guess my name hasn't made it to his circle yet. Boy will he be surprised, hopefully for the better.

His original songs are really fantastic and I think better then any of the covers he did. His voice really works for his own stuff cause there are a lot of very high sustained notes and he does them very brilliantly. He really has a solid tenor voice and his higher range is really much stronger then his lower range, a rarity in Second Life for sure.

His original song "My Everything" works really well for him. It has a nice hook, but mostly I love the harmonies he uses and the way he puts space in his music. It has an unusual quality to it that is close enough to home to feel comfortable in, but interesting enough to be actually well, interesting. And you can definitely hear the influences of metal music in this songs for sure aside from the screaming like singing.

His cover of Guns and Roses, name of song I don't know, really show off his high range which is what he does best. And I am just glad he stepped back a little from the mic and balanced his voice with it. He knows exactly what he sounds like across the stream and knows how to work his set up to get the best sounds out. But when he covered U2's "With or without you," it showed that his lower range really isn't as strong as his higher singer. But it was still good enough to listen to until he gets back to belting.

Kevin's package works. The personality works with his original music and I think he can really draw people to his shows. It's always interesting to see how different performers interact with the crowd. I think Kevin may just be a little too prying into the audience sometimes with looking at profiles. It does add pauses to the performance. It's really tricky really to get that balance right though. I'm always working on that. I am an avid believer that a live online performer cannot have dead air. Not that Kevin had much. I'm sure there were very good reasons for them. But imagine if you heard those dead air on your over the airwave radio station. You'd probably not go back. We are more understanding in Second Life as an audience and by no means do I want anyone to teleport away if a performer has dead air. I just want performers to keep that in mind. There are more and more online live streaming events. Youtube has a live streaming section. A lot of people have off world streams. The advantage we have is the visual in SL so we can do it from home and not actually have to get a camera and all that good stuff. But with a growing online live streaming community outside of Second Life, we gotta stay ahead of the game and one up everything to create a even more solid show.

I love Kevin's sound, I really do. I think he's got some great stuff, especially his originals. I am really enjoying his talk too. I also gotten more used to it by the end of the concert. I think if he could tighten up the talking to get more stuff going on, or even just make some random noise with the guitar to tail slightly into his talk. Cause when he sings, I feel like I'm in a real concert. When he talks I feel like I'm in a concert. But when there's that few seconds of near silence, I hear his living room, if that's what a living room sounds like. Seriously I literally felt like I just teleported from an awesome concert for a brief second into someone's bland living room, then seconds later back to an awesome concert. It was really bizarre. It happened like two or three times throughout the whole concert.

But do check out KevinMThoma Carpool in Second Life and outside. It's some pretty solid stuff that's definitely worth checking out especially if you like some good new rock tunes.

Live Music Review: Jaggpro McCann @ Dolphin's Dream

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
Jaggpro McCann
Dolphin's Dream
4 stars out of 5 stars

I was at a different venue right before tping in. I wanted to review that one but ended up leaving because it was totally not ready. And it also gave teleport passes so far away from the actual location confusing everyone who's going. And when I get there instead giving me another LM I get a hud to dig through along with a ton of other things to dig through as if my inventory isn't already a shamble. I just wanted to tp in and enjoy a concert. But I finally find the location and they weren't ready. If you are not ready, don't send out the IM. It's ok to send out the notice ahead of time because you didn't know. But when I get an IM saying now, I expect now, not ten minutes later. Well that's my rant for the day.

So I end up at Jaggpro McCann already with a rocky start for the day ready to just review my heart out. Well to my pleasant surprise, Jaggpro is pretty darn good. Jaggpro or just Jagg stands for just a good guy, and he's a pretty darn good guy on the stage. He's a real live musician named Rob Fisher who is a singer and songwriter who also plays a pretty mean guitar. He plays a mix of acoustic rock, folk and blues as a part of his usual set streaming from Australia.

He does cover in his live performance as with most artists but he's got a solid voice for that so it's alright. I was trying to locate some of his originals online a this myspace and other websites, though I found a demo set I couldn't get it to work. I will just have to wait for him to sing an original here live before getting some thoughts on that, hopefully.

Jaggpro has definitely an older voice...

and the aged quality really helps bring out the feeling of folksiness and blueness of the his music. Even though he's in Australia, and his slight accent slightly seeps through even when he sings, it is still rather charming to listen to. Though I do think for my own personal taste, it's a little too rockish at times the way he sings some songs that doesn't reallyl need that much rock I think. I felt this mostly because he has a good folks voice naturally from hearing him talk and sing some of the lighter sections. I just felt he is slightly, very slightly for my taste, a little too rock and roll at times.

But no matter, he's still a fantastic singer and adds to the Second Life Music scene and is someone that can be enjoyed for good singer and music. I really would like to hear his originals though. I always get lost with what's an original when they set so many covers. And it is here I want to say to all artists, hype up your originals when you do sing them in your cover set. Get people to fall for your originals. Cause chances are they are not going to fall in love with your rendition of U2 or John Meyer or Pink Floyd. So when you do play an original, make sure your audience knows exactly that it's an original of yours. Keep playing it and get them to love it. Marketing 101, put it in front of your customer as many times as possible! You know what, I'm going to write up an article about this here right after this review!

Well Jaggpro does really do his set very well, covering a good variety of songs. But still I am definitely going more and more into the original music mode. I was actually talking to another musician while at the concert about this too. To me it should be about original music first, new music first. That's how art lives, it's through creation. So bring out those new works and let everyone know. Then cover songs on the occasion because you really love those songs and want to share them, not because doing those will automatically draw a bigger crowd. So Jaggpro, show us what your original music is and what you are all about. Because if you don't, I will say you have a good voice, but not good enough for me to be in awe without original music to back you up.

Remember when you teacher said to you (well if you've ever had a lesson) that you need to just trust your abilities and just play. Well the same goes for original music. Trust that they will speak to your audience. You will find yours. I am finding my audience for my original music and they love me for what I do. I know I can automatically draw a much bigger crowd whenever I play classic repertoire on the piano or start singing cover tunes all the time. But what's the real point of that? All that eventually amounts to is just basically a fun karaoke session with some friends. I don't have an American Idol singing voice, but I can sing well. I know what my strengths and weaknesses are, do you? Trust yourself, trust your music and play!

Original Music in SL: Crap Mariner's Tunes in SL Gallery Project

Second Life Original Music
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
Crap Mariner
Clocktower
Tunes in SL Gallery Press Release - also available after the jump.

Alright, I finally found a way to get the discussion of original music in Second Life outside the live music scene going. I was debating a lot of different things. But who and where do we even start with.

Well I found my answer today and I thought it's a great way to introduce everyone to the world of Second Life Original Music. Though I know for many of you there is no need for an introduction. But this is still a great thing for everyone to know.

I met Crap Mariner a few weeks ago when he posted a notice about calling for Second Life Musicians with original music. So I talked to him about my album Rebirth. It was then that I found out about his project about showcasing original music in Second Life. Rest assured that he is the one that I'll be going to in order to get some more info about original music in Second Life and who to bring here and showcase to everyone!

Crap runs a venue called the Clocktower which is a fantastic build and I hope to, well plan to review someone there sometimes eventually. I want to go everywhere in Second Life and see everything. So this will also become a great place to discover new places too eh! Well at the top of the Clocktower he has rezzed out the CD albums of various artists from all around Second Life. All these albums are available on iTunes for purchase and he links them all to them. It's a wonderful place really to discover new music and you can be sure I'll be visiting often to find new original music to review. I just have to figure out how I'm going to pay for all those CD's. (HINT: Musicians if you really want me to review and present your album, drop me a promotional copy and I will definitely get to reviewing it for sure.)

So I wanted to support this effort which actually goes perfectly with what I'm doing so it's all good. I love it when it works out and things just come together. It feels like it is meant to be and what it is when it just flows.

Well take a look at the press release after the jump...


==========
ORIGINAL POSTS FROM iReport with permission from Crap Mariner.

I am Laurence Simon, known in Second Life as Crap Mariner.

I wanted to share with you a project that I have been working on called the Tunes inSL Gallery.

I really like the live music scene here in Second Life. All around the clock, there's always someone performing, and so many different styles of music - folk, rock, country, classical, jazz.

If you're opening a new island or planning an event, the odds are you're going to have a live musician there to help promote it.

They are my friends, I respect them deeply, and I wanted to come up with a way to give something back.

Last year, I received an iTunes gift card. I'm not easy to shop for - kind of hard to imagine, right?

Well, I didn't want any new music out there - I wanted music from Second Life musicians.

So, I posted on my site a call for links to Second Life musicians on iTunes, and that's what I bought.

Others did so too, and it got me to thinking. Why not create a catalog of all that music for the next holiday season?

Sure enough, I've gotten the word out, and all these performers have agreed to appear in the gallery on Edloe Island. Every album cover is a link to their page in iTunes for listening to clips form their albums, reading reviews, and buying them.

Let those sites do all the grunt work, right?

You get their music, they get the royalties to help pay those holiday bills.

Not only do I have a catalog for iTunes, but also one for Amazon on the region called Selby, run by Hulaboom Voom

There's plenty of room for more performers, and I'm hoping that these places are packed with people using their gift cards to buy music to ring in the new year with.

And if you're not in Second Life, I created a web catalog of the links, too. riaa.isfullofcrap.com

I guess we'll see how well it works. Maybe we'll make this a permanent thing.

This is Laurence Simon, reporting from Edloe Island and Selby.
==========

On a side note:

I just have to say I am really loving what I do here and I just want to keep doing this as long as I can. I just need to get this to generate a little bit of money so I can keep dedicated time to this. It's not going to make me millions, but I just need it to pay a few bills here and there while enjoying it. I wanted to say this so you know why I do take advertising. I am not looking to make bucket loads of money but in case if you didn't notice, this site takes a few hours (3-5) a day to run and keep up.

Live Music Review: Djai Skjellerup @ SL Globe Theatre

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
Djai Skjellerup
SL Globe Theatre
4.5 stars out of 5 stars

I have been the voice director of the SL Shakespeare Company for this past year directing all the voice performances of all the Shakespeare productions. But right now the company is having a bit of financial trouble mainly because it's trying to sustain a four sim corners venue to provide for the maximum amount of people to attend the events. A some shows we had near 200 people at all the different sims.

So Music Not Politics decided to support SLSC by throwing a series of concert this weekend. I actually didn't even know what has been going on in terms of fundraising until I got the notice myself and decided I may as well write up reviews there.

A little about SLSC. SL Shakespeare Compnany is a theatre company that has been producing full productions with sets and costumes and everything else to go along with it. They have a four sims set-up so to relief the amount of lag from so many people and sets and costumes. It is a very expensive endeavor. It's also great to see the arts supporting each other here in Second Life. We've seen a lot of fundrasier marathons for real life charities and issues, but it's nice to support something that is totally exclusive to Second Life. So if you are interested, do stop by the Globe Theatre which is a great build, detailed in architecture, and donate some Lindens to support their cause.

It's also a wonderful pleasure jump in and find someone who performs all original music at his shows (well almost all, he did end up singing some covers later in the concert). Djai Skjellerup is a singer/songwriter/pianist based in the UK and his music does have a sort of Elton John feel to it, but it's not Elton John. He does write on his website that he likes to write music that's familiar and sounds like things that we heard and he does do that rather well.

I guess I get to actually seriously review original music this time...

...instead of talking about how good or bad someone sings. Well I have to talk at least a little about that, but I'll do that later. The emphasis on this one is definitely more on the originality of the performance.

It's tough for sure to sell yourself off as an original music performer and it's very hard to hold an entire concert of your own music. But it does help that Djai's music is very familiar. But it's because it's so familiar that I am not sure what we can really do with it. It really has too much of an Elton John feel all the way from top to bottom. His singing style also reminisce of Elton John along with the piano accompaniment. I just can't get the image of Elton John sitting at the piano singing Candle in the Wind when I hear Djai. The more I hear Djai, the more I think Elton John wannabe. But I do think it's because he likes that kind of music and so he writes in that style and feel. Which is fine, derivative art is still art. In the end we all tend to emulate those who we admire and love. [UPDATE: I wanted to clarify, this statement was meant as a statement of all of music and all of art that has ever been created. We are all deriving them from something else. All art by nature is derivative unless if you were among the first human beings to walk the planet. But even then art was derived from nature.]

His original songs are good to listen to but unfortunately it's a bit forgettable because I feel like I've heard them all already. But it's great to occasionally come back and listen to him sing them. It reminds me of the days that has gone by. It kind of reminds me of this pseudo Moulin Rouge kind of an image for some odd reason, with Ewan McGregor singing "Your Song." And his vocal technique is about on that level. It's not on the level of Elton John, but if it was an actor singing a part, it would be more then acceptable. Well I really liked Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge and how he sang it, so I have nothing against Djai at all. I like it. It's fun.

And Djai's talking over his playing in between him singing really totally gives me that again, Elton John feel. Let's hold hands and save the world together. It's fun though, I think it's perfect for this kind of campaign. It's very smoochy and all emo. I am totally about to pull out my lighter and start waving my arms around and cry, well maybe not cry. But still he does it absolutely well and it's perfect for this kind of campaign. And when he holds these really long notes in his rendition of "First Cut is the Deepest", really I am about to fall out of my chair thinking can it be any more "Heal the world?" He would then tell people to sing along, and yell out lines like "can you hear me?" It's so cheesy and corny that I am just having a ball! It works because he takes it so seriously that I can't help but to just go with it and enjoy the whole process.

He even started a collaborative project where he had 24 musicians record together this Christmas song he wrote. He even commented that he tried very hard to write a song that's not cheesy, if that was possible at all. I am glad he has a great sense of humor and it's this that I find him and his performance just fun and absolutely thoroughly enjoyable. He is going to give out that track free for anyone to download and enjoy and rest assure I will definitely get my hands on that and let you all know what I think about it. You can read about the project here.

Perhaps it's just a British thing, but then I am pretty sure it's a Djai thing. He may not be the best singer and pianist around but he is still very good and is fantastic and fun to listen to. I'm also glad that he does a lot of originals which is something I want to see more in Second Life. He is an act, a good one, that if you are into Elton John type originals, Djai would be the one to go to. If you want to just have a retro afternoon and be all cheesed out, and we all do soemtimes I mean isn't that's why we all go Karaoke or go to Vegas and watch these Liberace shows? Oh I guess I'm the only one. Well I actually don't go to Vegas often so I don't really watch shows there. Nevertheless Djai is an act and I think it's a pretty good one to have fun with especially if this is your type of music.

Live Music Review: Ayden Kruh @ Romantica Yacht Club

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
Ayden Kruh
Romantica Yacht Club
5 stars out of 5 stars

If a newbie decides to check out the live music scene in Second Life to see what it's all about and ends up at Mike00 Carnell, the guy I just reviewed a few minutes ago they may not want to go back to another concert again in Second Life. But if they end up at Ayden Kruh's concert just a few minutes later here at Romantica Yacht Club, they may end up loving live music in Second Life. Though they may end up disappointed again later if they end up at some other singer's concerts. But at least they know talents, real talents do in fact exist inside Second Life.

Ayden sings both covers and originals. But I'm finding out more and more that a lot of singers in Second Life sings more covers then they do original at their live shows. I am guessing this is probably because covers draws an audience since people don't really know the original music of the artist. I feel that myself personally since I don't cover. I rarely play anything that's not original. So I have to totally build everything from the ground up. But occasionally I will do something that's cover to draw some more people and then introduce them to my originals. Which I think is the way to go. Get them in with some great renditions of covers and then they stick around to hear your originals.

But I am definitely planning on doing feature articles on great originals. I decided I am only going to present great originals here. There is just not enough time review everything. With musicians, only at this first round will I review everyone, or almost everyone. But after that I will definitely focus my attention to the great performers here and give them the attention they deserve.

And Ayden deserves attention for sure. He's got an amazing...

...voice and his vocal techniques is just so strong. He absolutely has a brilliant voice that's rich and thick and really carries through. His guitar playing is also superb and right on alongside his voice. His singing definitely has a huge soul type influence in the way he embellish the vocal lines and it's fantastic. It really has been a while since I heard a male singer here in Second Life with a solid voice, strong and present. I have heard a few female singers with that type of voice like Blue4u Nowicka and jaynine Scarborough.

He is just wonderful to listen to and does all the covers he did justice. I wish he will get the opportunity to sing his originals and get his original music out and heard. I took a very quick brief listen to parts of them and they are pretty solid songs. I am guessing that he was hired today to perform for some special occasion and they requested all covers. Maybe. But still if I was Ayden and if that's the case, make a deal with anyone who hires him that he can present some originals throughout the hour here and there rather then just one after 40 minutes of singing covers. Chances are they will take it for a voice like his. He's really one of the best I have heard so far here. But if there's no real restriction, I say he should push his originals more to the public and get them to fall in love with them.

Now his originals which I am certain I will get to presenting in the future is described by him as folk americana influenced with neo-soul vocal melodies. Sounds fantastic and sounds like my cup of tea. I'm a huge sucker for Americana. His original song "Save my life" really does have a charming quality in the music and he adds little touches in the harmonies to give it a little boost. I wanted to find the recording of it on his myspace but it's not there. So if you want to hear it you'll have to go to his concert and ask him about it. It really is a good song and with proper production, it could really be a great song. It has a hook and it is simple to get into. I think it's definitely a song Ayden can push at all his concert to get it really into people head until they start demanding it and want to buy it!

The venue Romantica Yacht Club is worth a little mentioning too. It is a very beautiful venue and well decorated. It has an elegant feel to it and does convey a message of romance and serenity. I think Ayden's sound does fit nicely in this atmosphere, outdoor and open and relaxing.

Ayden is just a fantastic talent with a great voice. I am guessing he isn't so interested in using Second Life as a platform for him as an artist since his real life identity is nowhere to be found. But if all he wants to perform in Second Life, that's great for us here. I can certainly get used to hearing more and more of him. So if you ever see the posting for Ayden Kruh, be sure to hurry in and listen. He's really got a fantastic voice, awesome guitar chops and just an all around good act to watch and enjoy. After all, he is the first guy I have given a 5 stars out of 5. Though if I went back to my older posts and added stars, there's a couple I would've given 5's to too!

Live Music Review: Mike00 Carnell @ Italia Vera: Milano Vera

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
Mike00 Carnell
Italia Vera: Milano Vera
2.5 stars out of 5 stars

I knew it was only a matter of time that I would actually review a performer at the Italia Vera sims. I have performed quite a few times at these sims and they are just crowded. These sims almost always have near 50 people whenever anyone performs, and sometimes they reach up to 99 in one single sim. That is just pure insanity. So if you have never checked out these lag fest, it's just great to go for even once to see how having 99 people in one sim feels like.

Italia Vera of course is geared towards the European audience so all their concerts are before 2pmSLT. Mike00 Carnell was no exception. He is from Germany, Hamburg to be precise according to his Sixty-One. Even though he pretty much conducted the entire concert in English and sang a few English tunes, he has a pretty thick accent in his singing.

He does a lot of covers, and pretty much sounds like an amateur hobbyist who can sing in tune. But that's about it. There's nothing really special about that since there really are some great original musicians in here as well as a few who does mostly covers who are fantastic. And if you have read the comments to my recent From the Editor's Desk post you will know that my ultimate goal here is to really focus in on original music because unless if you have an American Idol quality singing, there's no chance to really break out in the world of singing without amazing originals. But still I want to finish my first round of reviews around Second Life to survey the entire scene first to give myself a good solid base of posts to refer back to.

With Mike00, he sang some contemporary rock hits along with...

...some holiday tunes. His electric guitar playing is pretty good but nothing fancy. His singing though is really just rather unimpressive. But hey at least he can sing in tune so I will give him that. I know I am getting tougher and tougher on cover artists but that is where I am heading. There's nothing wrong with singing for your friends at your private parties if you are descent and I encourage that. But if you are out in the public view in Second Life, I am here to comment and I encourage everyone to comment. My goal is for the gems to shine, to get the public audience they deserve, and to give them the support they need to hopefully help them a bit in the uber tough and competitive real world of music.

Mike00 really doesn't fit that bill of a great musical artist and he really would be more of someone maybe a suburban midsize office may hire to play at their office party to do a few cover tunes descently in the back while they go about their business. I just hope Second Life doesn't end up being only just that and we move upwards in the great venues. I know the Second Life Art scene is moving in that direction.

So if you are a friend of Mike00, by all means enjoy his music and have fun. Encourage him and party with him. But if you are looking for really good music and very talented musician, Mike00 is someone I can pass over. There really are much better choices in Second Life for music in Second Life. And I also never understood why anyone would want to hear a mediocre performance of a hit single when it's so easy to get the actual song and listen to that. Shouldn't we be exploring new music here with new artists instead of hearing the top hit singles being butchered and ruined by some of the people here? But I know familiarity is safe and comforting, but hey those songs were once new to you too. So why not fall in love with new songs and pieces by Second Life's original artists? Well even if you still want these great covers played, at least go to someone who's actually awesome, and they do in fact exists in Second Life contrary to popular believes.

I know I'm getting really tough on amateur musicians, but again, I am not saying not to play and sing. I am only encouraging that as a community we need to support the ones who are really serious about music and needs all our support so that maybe they can get a little more real life attention and let them share their music not only to us in Second Life, but perhaps to everyone else in Real Life. It's a tough challenge, so let's give them every bit of support we can muster!

Live Music Review: Dres Forder @ Pixel Hill

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
Dres Forder
Pixel Hill
3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Well I decided to stick around Pixel Hill to hear a little more of what they have. Mainly because I am also trying to eat lunch at the same time and hoping to squeeze another review in before my concert.

Originally it was supposed to be djspiderman singing but he was sick so he couldn't. So Dres stepped up and sang instead. I guess I should be nice to someone who is helping out a situation.

Dres sings folk and alternative rock, and he's an alright singer and a good guitarist. But there are some issues with his singing here and there. He has some intonation issues and has problems hitting certain things. Mainly though I think he hasn't completely figured out what he really wants his sound to be. He kind of toys around with this airy and soft voice but switches out to this solid voice and I don't think it is quite working as he wants yet. But the key word is yet, I think overtime he can nail down what his sound is.

I have problems choosing myself too...

...cause I tend to want to do everything. But I do think there is a lesson to be learned to know what exactly one does really well and sell that off first. I did hear some fantastic sounding things out of Dres that I would want to hear more of. But there are these really awkward things here and there. Perhaps he was toying with his set and what to start, but I think no matter where we are performing in Second Life, we have to treat every concert as the first time someone is hearing your music at the top of the hour. It's one thing to play around at the end of the hour where there are usually less new people coming to check you out. But to keep in mind that you only make your first impression once. Most people won't stick around for more then one number if they didn't like what they heard. So the first fifteen to twenty minutes of anyone's concert is probably the most important, not that this now is permission to screw up the rest. I recall a concert once by a pretty good artist here that I went to where I enjoyed everything up to the last ten minutes where I heard some really "interesting" sounds that if I heard that in the beginning of the hour I probably would have left.

Dres does have a very nice sweet sound that I always like. I like it simple, and I like it sweet. His guitar playing is just there, wonderful and reliable partner in crime. Dres does have some good stuff in his set and I believe they are original stuff. But though his voice is sweet, I wouldn't say it's memorable. There are so many sweet voices performing in Second Life. I think Dres needs to really nail down a solid sound, do it brilliantly all the way through like he does at those rare but wonderful moments then I think he will have a really good thing going.

Live Music Review: Doubledown Tandino @ Pixel Hill

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
Doubledown Tandino
Pixel Hill
3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Finally I got a little bit of time to sneak in a review. I have been so swamped with concert and everything else. I even got a call from my real life acting manager for a last minute audition for a national commercial that I just got back from. I was originally planning a full day of reviews to make up a little bit of a slower weekend. Though I still got a few done over the weekend. Really I haven't stopped working every waking hour of my life for the last couple of weeks. Well I thought I'd stop by a live music concert and review it before I get to my concert. I haven't even had lunch yet today! I'm such a workaholic.

Ok I was a little confused going into this concert cause I am not sure if I would consider this to be live music. It's great that at least Doubledown Tandino did explain what he's doing and so I guess technically it could be considered live music. Even if it isn't, this is Metaverse Music, not Metaverse Live Music, so it's ok to occasionally talk about the other non-live music events here too. Though the main focus of course is live. But still I'll review it as live and original since he isn't just playing all prerecorded tracks and just purely DJing over it. Who can say a computer isn't a musical instrument. I've seen even virtual instruments that only exists inside Second Life as performed by the Avatar Orchestra Metaverse. If it's not prerecorded in its entirety and requires some live elements like pushing of buttons throughout the performance that can change the music, then it's live music. See, I'm not a purist.

Doubledown Tandino does all electronica and fusion music of mostly covers, but some originals according to his notice. But I haven't heard any. But he doesn't really play an instrument professionally according to him either. He basically mixes and mangles in beats and everything else electronically. But that's still requires a great amount of skills to do well and he does them pretty well. He does have a good feel of beats and how to mix and vary sounds and loops.

Doubledown, aka DD, performed for the art of...

...ByrneDarkly Cazalet who's also an artist and musician and DD's music really is perfect for Cazalet's art. They are heavy pop culture inspired with music being a part of it. There were a feeling of goth and grunge in the art works but yet it's more fantastical then anything. Think Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas. So the darker, psychedelic rock type mixes like of Jim Morrison of DD's were just fitting to the music. I really do like how more and more musicians and artists are really hooking up together and connecting here. I do that a lot. I absolutely love to improvise to art works. I think inherently that music and art is directly connected. I hear music when I look at a piece of art, and I see art when I listen to a piece of music. To me it's crossed, and not isolated.

It's a bit hard to review this kind of music since there's a lot of uses of loops and other elements so it's hard to tell how much of the mix was really just recorded and what's actually live. But what I find fascinating about DD's sound is that he morphes his soundscapes from one to another fluidly and often to very distant places.

He does explore a lot of very diverse types of music to remix and perform. It's actually very interesting to hear what he does with these classics that we know, even things like Christmas classics and other familiar sound clips and then mixing them together is actually very intriguing to the ears. In a way it's almost like a glimpse into his stream of consciousness. It actually reminds me of the concept of George Crumb's music where there are these random quotes in his music. It's kind of how it feels like walking in our lives in a surreal manner. The disjunct of music fragments and sound clips that we hear moving from one place to another, or surfing the radio station mixed in with the sounds of everyone that's around.

I don't know if DD is even thinking any of the stream of consciousness that I am talking about. It doesn't matter too much since it's really just about the music that he's performing and how we all take it. I am sure many of you don't care about any of the philosophical aspects of music that I'm talking about and only cares about whether his sound is something you can groove to. I can groove to it. I think DD has a great sense of pacing and sound colors in his head and dose a fantastic job melting them together into a new mix. Derivative music is still great music and DD does a fantastic job. Now I would love to hear him mix some music by Second Life musicians.

From the Editor's Desk: Professaional Versus the Amatuer Musician in Second LIfe

From the Editor's Desk
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music

I have been talking to a few people about what I'm doing here with Metaverse Music and the idea about reviewing people, the implications and the potential fallout. So I figure I'd better write it all down here.

First I think the most important thing I have to say is that I do not wish anyone to stop playing music or to stop singing. I am not a Simon Cowell who tells the truth in a mean and hurtful manner, at least I try my best to not do that. But I also realize that sometimes the truth hurts. I know cause I've been hurt before with the truth. But that's the nature of life. Truth hurts. But someone's gotta tell it. But just because I told you the truth of what I heard, doesn't mean I want you to stop. I am just pointing out a problem that I saw. Address it accordingly.

Sometimes I may point out a technical issue with either the actual musical performance while sometimes it's about the instrument or mic or other things that's involved. I say them both for the audience to know what to expect before going to those performances if they so choose to as well as giving the artist honest feedback. I just see way too many people just telling an artist what he or she wants to hear which doesn't help them become better necessarily even though it seems encouraging. I believe in constructive criticism and that is really my goal of doing any of this.

But beyond that...

...I also point out subjective things too, things that I would prefer. Those are purely about choices. Those are comments to let people know what I would prefer and do, but it doesn't necessarily mean my choice is better or worse. A choice is a choice, and I'm only pointing out an alternative to take into consideration. But sure I don't expect them to be tried out or carried out in the next concert I see the artist in. But I always like to hear other choices cause it gets me thinking for my own music. I may not go with that choice but something else may be born from that.

The real problem though with all of this is how do we be supportive and encouraging while being honest. How do we balance that with reaching new audience who are new to Second Life and Second Life music scene and let them know what we are all about.

My biggest concern is that there are a lot of people who either gets dragged to a concert by a friend to this supposedly great musician that they were told about. The friend probably doesn't know all that much about music to begin with and the idea of listening to live music in Second Life was so intriguing that anyone performing here would put them at awe. But their other friend whom they dragged along is supposedly an avid music fan who knows what good music is. They end up at this mediocre musician who really is just an amateur hobbyist in real life but decided to package themselves as a professional in Second Life who then joins every Live Music group in town and posts notices every other day about their performances. Then a lot of people who are new to Second Life live music scene ends up at these types of concerts half the time. So now we have a bunch of people thinking Second Life live music sucks and no one can play or sing here because the great musicians are buried by the massive amount of "music enthusiasts."

I have absolutely no problem with people who are not professional singing and playing music. I think that's a great thing and everyone should be encouraged to do that. But it's one thing to play privately for a group of friends and another thing to be posting massive amounts of notices and advertising yourself like a professional who's on tour around Second Life and turning people away from live music from Second Life. This is where I have problems.

So this is how I have been treating the scene and dealing with this. I have said before that I pick artists from the public music groups of Second Life. To me when you advertise at those places you are putting yourself in the public eyes. If you are ready to do that, then you better be prepared to be judged publicly. You don't get to promote yourself as an awesome or great musician with a great sound or voice to attract people to your concert, hoping they will make you and your venue some donations and other business without being judged as a professional. Because you are doing professional work. If you only want to be an amateur musician, that's wonderful. Play for your friends and family and people who love you. And if you really must put notices at these groups, please let everyone know you are not that great but just want to share music with people. Then those who wants to support this kind of endeavor will come to you.

But somehow I am guessing those artists wouldn't do that cause then people won't come if they saw those notices. Well what do you know, it's not me who's the culprit here! Cause if they really believe that the public audience wants to hear performers who aren't good but will come and support them just for the sake of live music, then why would they not advertise it as such? I am not the one who's being judgmental or want to ruin anyone. I am not here to do damage to anyone. I am merely pointing out the big giant pink elephant that's hanging over our heads. These performers are the one's who are damaging the reputation of Second Life Live Music scene.

I do do support the growth of musician as we have all been there and we are all still growing. But we have to have standards if we as a whole as a Second Life Live Music community wants to be taken seriously by those outside of Second Life. We have to say to ourselves that we have to be better, and be just as good and if not a whole lot better then those who are doing this at other places. The thing is it's easy and cheap for anyone to perform publicly in Second Life so everyone here is a performer and everyone here is a venue owner. But if you were a real life venue owner who have staked tens of thousands of dollars on your venue, what kind of musicians are you going to house there?

Second Life gives us an opportunity unlike real life because it is cheaper. And because it's cheaper we can take more risks. But shouldn't we risk then on alternative musicians then on less qualified and less talented musicians? The problem with real life is because venues are so expensive and promotion is so expensive that housing certain genre of musician is not feasible because you have to pay your bills. So why don't we instead house more alternative gigs by great musicians and push them to the public then house amateur singers who are still learning and selling them off as the next big thing only because they are singers and they automatically draw a bigger crowd even though a more deserving musician who plays music that isn't mainstream is standing right next door wondering why he doesn't have an audience.

So before saying I'm wrong because I am turning people away from supporting and encouraging these amateur musicians to continue, I want you to think about the professional musicians who are struggling to get an audience because they are not mainstream but their music are amazing. Because they are a high risk act so no real life venue wants them. And if even in Second Life we are not helping these amazing musicians and giving them this second chance opportunity, are they now going to have to wait for their third life?

To me that is what I am really doing here in Second Life. I want to help musicians from all genres get the real chance they deserve in reaching an audience. I want people to learn and understand that music is wide and far and global. There are all sorts of amazing sounds from all around the world at our finger tips in Second Life. We can teleport and transport ourselves in sound worlds that otherwise can be near impossible to access in real life. To me the Live Music and live performance scene is by far the most powerful scenes in Second Life and is ultimately going to be the dominating part of Second Life when we think about it, just like how we think about Myspace with Myspace Music. Second Life is really taking that to the next level. If Mysapce Music can do so well I have no doubt that Second Life Live Music will turn in one of those any indie musician will want to have a presence in.

So yes, please everyone keep playing and singing and making music. But leave the performing in public for the professionals and perform in private for your friends and loved ones to share your love and joy of music. Really reflect on your audience and who are really staying for your concert and you'll realize that they are mostly your friends and family anyways. Most others are just there for that one time and never to return to your performance and perhaps even any other performances at all in Second Life. Do you really want to end up being the one too turn people away from Second Life Live Music just so you can have the gratification of having shared your music? You don't need to put yourself out in the public face and be reviewed by me or others who will come. Share your music with those who will love you even though they all know you aren't great because they are your friends and family. But let them be honest about that and not have to talk about you in IM's anymore. I think everyone will feel much better if they can just be honest but still support your growth.

Live Music Review: FrankLee Anatra @ Woodstock

Second Life Live Music Review
Written by Enniv Zarf (RL: Paul Kwo)
Metaverse Music
FrankLee Anatra
Woodstock

4 stars out of 5 stars

Maybe I'm a little biased on this one and even picking this time to do this review. Actually I was going to do it a little earlier today when Frank was playing at Freestar Bay. But I was so distracted dealing with some stuff and writing another article for the site which I'll release in a little bit. That article needs to be proofread and polished before I can publish it.

Well I found that he's playing at Woodstock tonight so I decided to stop by and review this. I wanted to review both FrankLee and also woodstock, but I wasn't going to review FrankLee when he plays at my gallery tomorrow. I will not review anyone's performance at my gallery. That would be too biased.

Now with this website I feel like even who I hire is going to be judged! I actually hired all my musicians this month before I started this website and I would say I was just like any venue owner, did very little research. But I rarely hire anyone anyways and when I do it's usually only because that person does something really different to showcase that, or I needed to refer someone quick so I just rely on my friends recommendations.

I heard FrankLee a long time ago when...

...he first started out in Second Life. I thought he was good but that was about all I thought back then. My friend Delinda Dryssen whom I think I've mentioned before was the one who recommended him to me. So I just went with him. But comparing what I remember back then and now, FrankLee really have grown a lot and sounds pretty darn good today. I am not much less worried tomorrow about him performing at my gallery!

Frank sings both originals and cover songs and is also a musician in real life. But he defintiely sings a lot more covers then original since I don't believe he has that many originals to begin with and I haven't heard them sung live yet. But I could be wrong. It's a little hard to pay attention to every song in detail sometimes. Second Life is way too full of distractions.

What I do like a lot is Franks sweet voice. It has quality of yearning in it that works so well with a lot of the songs he sings. He actually reminds me of a very famous Canto Pop singer's voice, one of the most important and famous. It has a certain vulnerability to it and it's imperfection is very charming.

He also sings the covers that he does in his own way with his guitar strumming along. His voice is also perfect for 1 AM in the morning. Yes I am like reviewing music all around the clock, trying to catch a wide variety of musicians from all over the world. I don't want to end up looking like I only listen to people from the US. Though I think Frank is from the US. Nonetheless I am trying my best to get a good variety of people.

Frank's uptempos I think are the best. They have a great combination of life as well as a electric energy that drives them forward without ever feeling rushed. It's just something relatable, something real and here. The acoustic sound of his with his wonderful voice is a treat to listen to all hour long that's both fun and engagin.

I don't think of Frank's voice as a top 40's type of voice. It has almost a sort of folksiness to it that changes the quality of the rock songs that he sings, but it is this that makes it rather charming and enjoyable. And I think his performances in Second Life the past few months have really solidified his voice and really made him grow as an artist. It's these kinds of growth that I love to see and I want to also do as an artist myself in Second Life. I feel I have grown significantly performing here and I feel I have grown even more just this last week reviewing now over 40 musicians here. It's really an amazing place with just so much going on and I hope to continue here for a long long time. And I hope the few artists who do eventually break out of Second Life into a huge real life career won't forget us back here and will come and visit us in the future.