Win, Fail, Pause for the Blues & A Voice You Should Hear in Second Life

Insomnia Station  (moderate)

It's been a busy couple of days - busy in the sense that housework is busy and about as annoying at times. :)  I've been fighting the sense for weeks that being in SL is like driving a car with the emergency brake on.  I just felt like I had to find the one button to push and things would magically improve.

I spent a lot of time on Friday and Saturday tweaking and tuning without much success. Then I spent some time just analyzing what happened and when and decided a lot of it must have to do with my video card - which is a perfectly good card but it seemed like something to at least try.  So I decided to do a clean install of the driver.

Nothing is simple.

Insomnia Station  (moderate)

I uninstalled my video driver and then cleaned the registry and rebooted.  Then I checked and uninstalled the previous version of the driver which was now operational.  After cleaning the registry I rebooted and then wound up rinsing and repeating for 90 minutes until I finally got rid of them all.

The good new is that once I had installed the most recent driver again, this time without the extras I don't need, my fps had tripled.  Whew!  I tweaked a few more system things and did some maintenance and, although it's still not where I'd like it, my inworld experience is much less exasperating.

Insomnia Station  (moderate)

In between bouts of techie impersonations I dropped in on some of the multitude of halloween parties and, in one case, a 4 year anniversary that friends seemed to think I should attend.  Lots of fun in spite of the fact that I'm not a big fan of the whole thing.  :)   I tried to get in the mood and wear "costumes" which in my case means either going as a pink skinned "normal" or wearing one of my more outlandish avatars.

At one point I was a mermaid and missed the window to get to a friend's party because the sim was full.  Few things look as weird as a large fish swimming over the desert floor. It was a pity because those who love the Barbie shape would have enjoyed her and her undulating butt.  

Insomnia Station  (moderate)

Every now and then I soothed my irritated soul by ducking out to a blues concert.  Arriving a little early for one I happened to catch the end of a set by Alex Mays.  Alex is a relative newcomer (5 months old) and I was so intrigued I made sure to catch him again yesterday. He plays great blues guitar and mostly his own original music but also does covers.  

This guy is making a name for himself fast and it's well deserved.  His calendar doesn't show all the dates I know he's playing yet so join his group - Alex Mays {Live Music} - that way you won't miss an opportunity to enjoy his performances.

And, just in keeping with the music I've been using to keep myself semi coherent for the past few days, here (after a brief introduction) is something "loud and nasty".

Trying to Expand My Musical Horizons in Second Life

I realized lately that I've been guilty of a huge amount of cultural arrogance. I was watching a performer inworld and thinking how terrific it is that he gets world wide exposure through Second Life - that residents from countries around the globe can hear him and enjoy him. How wonderful, I though to myself, that Second Life can do that for all these musicians.

I started to wonder, however, why I wasn't being exposed to musicians from other cultures and decided it's because I don't seek them out. I don't go past the english speaking venues that host the music I know in advance that I'll like. How arrogant of me to expect the rest of the world to come and experience the english music scene and yet not think about exploring the music in different languages on the grid.

So I set myself a new challenge - I would go seek out the various music scenes (which I'm convinced must exist)and then I'll report back. Sounds like fun doesn't it? The first obstacle is discovering live music events in languages other than english. I apparently don't have many skills in this area.

I did stumble on a portuguese performer named Gabryel Nyoki - this guy oooooooozes charm. He's a really great ambassador for romantic Eurpoeans! He was performing at Kenzie's and the description I got from his manager (Sher Salmson) is as follows:

Multi-instrumentalist singer, bringing 20 years of professional experience in the industry to his secondlife performances.

Music Influencies: Eric Clapton, Richard Marx, Dire Straits, Gary Moore, Jeff Scott Sotto, Firehouse, Whitesnake, Credence, Elton John, Luis Miguel, Toto, Lionel Richie, Tracy Chapman, Peter Framptom, Sting, Michael Buble etc.

Spoken Languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Extra: French and Italian.

If you want a romantic evening with your loved one then I'd check him out if I were you. He has the whole inworld performing thing mastered.

The only problem as far as my personal challenge is concerned is that he speaks in english and many of his songs were in english. So I wasn't exactly experiencing the cultural differences I was looking for.

I'm trying various strange search methods to locate different live music scenes inworld but if you can help I'd appreciate it. Leave any hints or tips in comments or send me an im - I'll be grateful for any assistance you can give me and I'll report back on what I see and hear.

The Tinies Spread Second Life Cheer

I took a break from my ice cave (more about that at a later time) to go to the Metanomics taping today. It was a good show and you should check it out when you have time.

The highlight for me though happened before the show started. A Choir of Tinies from Raglan Shire serenaded us with carols and it was a fabulous experience. This was my first opportunity to hear them and I was totally smitten. The Choir visits sites all over the grid at this time of year to share their songs and make people smile - if you get a chance to hear them please take it. You won't be sorry! Their special lyrics and their River Dance will brighten your life. :)

I took a crappy photo and didn't manage to write down all of their names and I apologize for both failures. But I did find this video from last year which will give you just a taste of their magic.

Impromptu Second Life Musical Magic

It was relatively late last night (almost 8:00 pm SLT) when I checked twitter and saw a tweet that said some Nashville musicians were having a jam session inworld. So I logged in and teleported to Nowhereville and enjoyed one of those special times that remind us of all the good in Second Life. :)

Kristine Kristan is the owner of Mad Wax Records ( an in-world resource to listen to and learn about the live live original music scene in Second Life, built in the style of a neighborhood record shop) and has a parcel in the Five Islands - luckily for those of us there she's also a friend of Lance Rembrandt.

Last night Lance was with a group of friends at the home of Jackie Peters (widow of songwriter Ben Peters) and they decided to make some music and share it with people inworld.

Although only two avies were on the stage there was a staggering array of talent sharing the microphones. In addition to Lance we heard:

• Jimbeau Hinson
• Larry Henley
• Blue Miller
• Greg Crowe
• Stephanie Rabus
• Joie Scott
• Scott Getlin

It was a fantastic evening of fun and music and jokes and listening to good friends enjoy each other's company and talent.

One avatar on the stage was, of course, Lance's. The other is a newbie to Second Life but not to the music scene. Introducing SL's brand new resident OrrinBolton Serenity.

If the name rings a bell you might know him as a fine singer/performer who just happens to be Michael Bolton's big brother. Last night's session was his second toe-dip in the Second Life waters.

Dear Reader, if you ever get a chance to hear him inworld (and encourage him to stick around) take it! He's going to be a fabulous addition to our music scene. And if we can persuade the others to join him we should take every opportunity to do just that.

Thank you to Kristine and Lance for setting this up. I wish more had been around to enjoy it - unfortunately most of my friends were asleep. I'm very glad I checked twitter when I did. :)

"Von the Revelator" Launch Party in Second Life

It was fun! It was epic! It was one of those nights in Second Life we'll remember for always!

I've been a fan of Von Johin since the day I first heard him at the opening gig for Gibson Island. He's one of the real good guys in any life and pure magic with that guitar of his. Yesterday Von's CD Von the Revelator was released and his regular tuesday night gig at the Music Park at Prim Economy was a celebration of this event.

I saw somebody wonder in Plurk why they hadn't received a TP to the event - well it just wasn't possible. The sim filled up before Von even began. At its height there were also 18 people in the next Prim Economy parcel "attending" and crowds listening on the stream at two overflow clubs - Johin's Blues Note Club and Utopian Dream. For reasons of sleep deprivation some in the audience occasionally had to leave, at which point those in the overflow clubs were invited to tp in. We never did manage, however, to fit everybody onto the sim.

Those who didn't make it to the main venue missed something special staged for Von by his Vonettes. We rehearsed for weeks but the bandaged toes were worth it - he was not only surprised but also pleased. :)

Ellion Melodie, Oura Scribe, Alexi Mizin, Honour McMillan, Harlee Johin, Whirligig Rutabaga, DZ Questi, Ahuva Heliosense (photo by Lampoon Destiny)

Even if you missed last night's concert you can share the joy of Von's music on his CD. He worked hard to make the album sound like you and his friends are sitting in his home enjoying an evening of music. And yes, that's Noma Falta you'll hear playing bass on one track. Von the Revelator is available (in either mono or stereo) at Amazon.com and downloads are available through Amazon, iTunes and all the other usual sites. Then come inworld and join his friends at future concerts - his schedule is always posted on his site.

There will be more albums coming (yay!) which is a good thing for two reasons. First, we can listen to Von anytime we want and, more importantly, the Vonettes have insisted that we appear on future covers. All that hard work deserves some recognition. :)

Cypress Rosewood Benefit Concert - May 7, 2010

I received this poster and the following notecard this evening:

Over the past weekend Cypress Rosewood lost his home and shop to the devastating floods in Nashville Tenn. Friends of Cypress have responded and are calling for a benefit held this Fri Please note times we hope you can stop by and give some support to one of SLs' beloved musicians.

Just look at the line up of great SL Musicians appearing at the benefit:

• Von Johin
• Arman Finesmith
• Skye Galaxy
• Senjata Witt
• Frets Nirvana
• Gina Stella
• Anek Fuchs
• Bluemonk Rau
• Joaquin Gustav
• Kolor Fall
• Zachh Cale
• Moondoggirl Moomintoog

This has been a tough year in terms of disasters and a tough one economically. It's been tougher on some than others. We can't fix all the problems of the world or make all the bad stuff go away but we can help one of our own. The fact that we can also enjoy an amazing lineup of musicians is the gravy. :)

If you can make it to Mardi Gras Park on Friday, May 7 and help out Cypress then I hope you do so. Please share this with your friends!

Update: Delinda Dyrssen is apparently organizing a Benefit for Cypress on Saturday night. If you can't make it on Friday (or even if you can) then this will be another opportunity to help Cypress. Check her blog which will (I'm sure) have more information as it becomes available.

Tunes in SL goes to Twitter!

Crap Mariner is making some big changes to Tunes in SL - the most obvious will be the end of the storefront and the kiosks in various locations as well as the subscribomatic (sp? oh well, you know what I mean). Instead you can follow all the news about live music in Second Life on Twitter. You know you want to! :)

Note that the website is being enhanced all the time - visit Tunes in SL!

Von Johin is back!

So after a month's hiatus Von Johin is back! It was pure pleasure listening to him at Prim Economy tonight. I missed the first two concerts he did last week but nothing could have kept me away any longer. Terrific blues with a few Grateful Dead songs thrown in.

That's DZ Questi and I dancing to the music (she always has the best dances, luckily she shares). :)

It was a good night...have to love SL when you can dance to a blues musician from Nashville with an elf, somebody in a bikini and a goth angel. I even had a brief conversation with Wrath Paine - something on TV prevented him from joining us (typical). I'd link to his blog but he's housecleaning - nothing to see right now. Still it was good to connect again.

Thank you Von - I needed this. :)

Von Johin Hiatus

Von has to take 3 weeks for himself in RL for business. So tonight on Muse Isle he did what will be his last concert for at least that long. He played for over 3 hours and was on fire. Over 40 of us lucky fans got to dance and laugh and wish him well. It was a very good time to be in SL. :)

A Musical Mix - Niles Compton and Crap Mariner

I was listening/watching the tape of last night's episode of Paisley Beebe's television show, mostly because I wanted to hear Crap's segment about Tunes in SL. Along the way I enjoyed the segment about the book "The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World" and I'll look to buy a copy. Then, in the usual musical segment, Paisley introduced Niles Compton.

Well........I obviously don't get out enough because I had never heard of him. Niles is a country music singer and last night did a cover of Vince Gill's "If You Ever Have Forever in Mind". I was blown away. I even rewound and listened a few more times and I was still blown away. His smooth, polished and professional voice did more than justice to this bluesy country song. Niles is scheduled to be at the Gaslight on Sunday night at 8:00 pm SLT and I plan to go. You should too! If you don't believe me click on the link to last night's show and give a listen. And if anybody in Niles' camp is reading this - I think a YouTube video of him doing this song would be a really really good idea. :)

If you know Crap Mariner then you know he is has been working on the Tunes in SL project to support live music in SL. If you have heard him in "voice" then you know that when he cares about something he starts speaking fast. The more passionate he is the faster he speaks and he is very passionate about live music in SL. :)

I won't try and speak for Crap here. I will say that he is less than happy about the Linden Lab's efforts in the area of supporting live music. I will also make a suggestion to whichever TV show wishes to address the issue (Metanomics maybe?) that they host a discussion between Crap and a senior Linden. I say a "senior Linden" because it should be somebody with the authority to actually move forward on anything that is seen as a positive initiative. I've seen one sided monologues from both sides on this topic - would be nice to have them talk to each other. Now that would be "must see" TV. :)

A "Von"derful Break!

I've been working hard but Von Johin held a fan appreciation concert tonight at his Blue's Note Club. It was amazing! Von's fans are an exuberant bunch so move the sound slider to the left. :)

My favourite robot was there as well. I kept looking around for him when I should have been looking up. Don't know what I was thinking......

You have to love this!

If you haven't watched this yet you must. If you have watched it - watch it again. :)

Orange Island Spring Music Fest

The notecard from Orange Island reads:

Our Spring Music Fest starts today at 12:00PM PDT (less than an hour away!)

Please join us today and and the rest of the week as we welcome TWELVE amazing musicians who will be performing here at the gallery.

Today's performers: KevinMThomas Carpool, Mel Cheeky, and Cylindrian Rutabaga!

Come vote on your favorite of the more than 35 music-themed photos that have been entered into our photography contest.

I do have a photo in the contest (yes that one up above). I'm not on the same level as the Elf or Raul or Tur (or anybody else for that matter). But it will get one vote! lol

Max Morgan

Went to Gibson Island to hear a new musical talent in SL - Max Morgan. If you get a chance go listen. :)

Almost made it

I tried really really hard, but I didn't make it til midnight. I did last long enough to catch part of Von Johin's gig. Ahh well. :)

Dancing to Von Johin

In the French Quarter, dancing in the snow to Von Johin. I really really needed this tonight!
Ahuva was there too. :)

Thanksgiving with Joaquin Gustav

Because I worked over the weekend, I didn't cook thanksgiving dinner til yesterday (Monday). As a digestive I went to the Sunset Jazz Club to heart Joaquin Gustav. He's there every Monday at 5:00 SLT. :)

End of the day .....

I ended my day on Gibson Island listening to Picker Apogee. We are sooooo lucky in SL!

SBBOD - Von Johin

Went to hear Von Johin tonight - he crashed in the middle of his set. But his stream didn't stop - his viewer was just gone. He described the crash as the "Spinning Beach Ball of Death". The acronym for this would, of course, be "SBBOD". :)

Gibson Island Again

Came back to Gibson Island to hear some more of Von Johin. What a great way to decompress. :)
posted by Honour McMillan on Gibson Island using a blogHUD : [permalink]