Interview With Veo Voom

 

In Netera Landar's latest article, she interviews the musician Veo Voom. When first seen, he was an unusual sight, covered in tattoos, wearing a raccoon t-shirt, and playing a guitar resembling a pizza. “I think I’ve always been unapologetically myself," he would say.  A longtime musician in real life, once he found out about Second Life, "I dove down the beautiful rabbit hole of live music." He would talk about this, and more. 

 

 Read Netera's interview in People.

 

A Few More Days To Sign Up For The SL20B

 

For those interested in signing up for the Second Life Birthday celebrations, your time is running out.  Those wanting to be performers, exhibitors, and general staff volunteers have only until Sunday May 14 to sign up. After that, you'll have to wait another year. Those merchants interested in signing up for the Shop and Hop also have until May 14.

For details on performers, Click Here.

For details on exhibitors and volunteers, Click Here. 

EOTB: SL20B Open For Applications For Music Fest And General Performers

 

 

The big news about Linden Lab's announcement a few days ago was that they had chosen the theme and logo for this year's Second Life Birthday: "Our Fantastic Future." But there was more. They were also accepting applications for positions at the event as general performers, and applications for positions in the Music Fest. 

... we are opening applications for Music Fest, to be held on June 22nd-24th. Music Fest will kick off the overall SL20B celebration with three days of live music performances featuring some of the most talented live musicians in Second Life! ... We are also opening up applications for the general performance schedule. Why celebrate for one day when we can party for a week?! We are looking for all types of performers to join the week-long festivities from June 25th to July 2nd. Are you a DJ who can spin up a great party set or a live performer who can jam all night? You might be one of the grid’s amazing Dance companies, or perhaps you’re a Particle Performer? One of the things that makes Second Life so vibrant and exciting is the wide range of performers who share their talent with our Residents. Whatever your medium, we would love to hear from you!

To apply for the SLB Music Fest, one needs to fill out this Google doc (link). The doc needs to be filled out by April 9. While musicians were paid by the Lab in past years, it will not be the case this year but they can still rezz a tip jar, and 350 prims (LI) worth of props. It is to be understood that this is a family-friendly event, and song lyrics must be G-rated. Performance times are an hour each, and showing up on time is necessary to take part. Musicians must also be able to use the event's own stream.

To apply to be an SLB general performer, you need to fill out this Google doc (link). Conditions are much the same as Music Fest Musicians. But if the performance is a group one, such as a dance troope, the prim allowance for props will be raised to 1000 prims (LI). Changes of information, such as names, and time are allowed up to 48 hours of the event. 

No applications are available for event volunteer staff yet. Presumably they will be out soon.

The Music Fest itself runs from Thursday June 22 to Sunday June 24. The SL20B goes on from Thursday June 22 to Tuesday July 11. The Music Fest began in 2015 in the days when Second Life Birthdays were run not by the Lab, but by a resident-run volunteer team. It would be the start of Linden Lab's gradual re-involvement in the Second Life Birthday. Eventually, the Lab would take full control of the SLB events, but the Music Fest would remain.

Bixyl Shuftan

Bat Masters Retiring From Live Singing

 

 

 Last night, November 30 at Nat's Jazz Club, live singer Bat Masters gave one of his final performances in Second Life, if not the last. He was retiring from performing music due to declining health.

Bat Masters has performed inworld for over a decade, at a variety of venues such as the Lavender Field. He was among the singers who performed over a decade ago in an event to support fellow musician Beth Odets when she was having surgery for brain cancer. For years he played the guitar. But with his nerve disorders, his profile stated that he had Primary Lateral Sclerosis that I was told had advanced to ALS.

There were over 70 people at the venue when I arrived. Linda Sautereau, who owns the club, told me at one point she saw 75, "He's one of the special ones in here. ... he is one of the nicest, kindest and most talented people I've met in SL and I've been here since 2007."

Bat's voice was somewhat rough, but he sang well, the last song being Frank Sinatra's "My Way."

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

At the event, there were many cheers and well-wishes. "We love you Bat!!" "Bat you are one Class Act." "I'm not crying, shut up!" "The entertaining won't cease entirely, but it is an honor to recognize your contributions as you experience a transition of phases most of us can only find unimaginable. Big love to you, Bat." Bat smiled, saying before leaving, "good night dear friends." Over the stream, he would say to his supporters, "Thank you for all you've done over the years."

Wherever Bat goes next, we wish him well,

 

Hat tip: JardenAlexis

Bixyl Shuftan

Waya Snowpaw, Veterans Isle DJ, Has Died

 

There was a sad announcement from Legacy Vets a couple days ago. US Army veteran Waya Snowpaw had passed away.

 

It is my unfortunate duty to inform our members the loss of a fellow vet and brother. Waya Snowpaw United States  Army Veteran has passed away and went on to a Higher Command. He left us on 27 September 2022 Services will be held and a notice will be sent out to where and when.

Waya was a longtime presence at Veterans Isle events, and at it's predecessor Patriot Island. He was the DJ opening up for Frets Nirvana's fundraisers, at first for Wounded Warriors, then Homes For Our Troops. Month after month, year after year, he took part in hundreds of fundraising concerts. Besides as the DJ among live performers, he stuck out in his furry avatar when most of the others were human. 

The services will be held at Veterans Isle on Saturday October 23.The event will be at the USMV Chapel at 3PM SL time. This will be followed by a reception behind the church. Dress code is formal, and it is requested people keep down on scripted items, "we want everyone to attend and not get lagged out."

Rest in peace,

Bixyl Shuftan

 

*Updated 3:30PM* 

Last Day To Sign Up For The SL19B

 

For those wanting to sign up to be part of the Second Life Nineteenth Birthday, if you haven't done so yet, today is your last day to do so. Tomorrow, Sunday May 8, applications will close. 

To sign up as a Performer, Click Here.

To sign up as an Exhibitor, Click Here. 

To sign up as a Volunteer, Click Here. 

Signing up does not guarantee a place at the celebration. 

The Second Life Nineteenth Birthday celebrations take place from Thursday June 16 to Tuesday July 5. The theme this year is Steampunk.
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

SLEA Bridge Project And Steve Who

 

Gemma Cleanslate recently went back to the Second Life Endowment of the Arts, the SLEA, and found a couple noteworthy happenings. One was the SLEA Bridge Project, which aims to "shorten that distance between YOU and an immersive arts experience in SL." The other at the SLEA's Street Cafe was a Steve Who. So who is Steve Who? A real-life musician with a following in Second Life.

Read Gemma's story in Design.

A Second Life Musician Says "Thank You"

 *
The following was posted on the Second Life Forums on Sunday November 29 by a Da5id Weatherwax, titled, "A moment to say 'Thank you.'"

*  *  *  *  *

As my friends across the pond were preparing to celebrate a rather strange Thanksgiving I was doing what I normally do as part of preparation for any week, putting the finishing touches to, and rehearsing, the set list(s) I would be playing in the coming week. It struck me that I had something enormous to be truly thankful for in these troubled times. I haven't picked up a busking pitch or played a RL live gig or session since late February. All the RL venues here closed in early March, all bookings cancelled until further notice. Even when this lovely city, a true hotspot of the arts and performance, was not under the most severe public health restrictions nobody who could be out and about would gather to listen to a busker and the po-po would tell that busker to move smartly along if they did. It's almost impossible to sing through a mask anyway.

Like so many of my colleagues in performance I was instantly unemployed. My usual fallbacks when I wasn't getting bookings as a performer were also gone, because there was no work as a sound or lighting tech either. Hundreds of other performers were in the same position, having to take whatever they could get as a "day job" just to keep the lights on and the fridge full. In the music industry you're used to "living on your wits" somewhat but I know from personal chats with others that even after all this shakes down there will be some who will not be returning to the stage. I'm not talking about the real tragedies, of the voices we will no longer hear because the pandemic has taken them from us, but of the small-venue musicians who can no longer summon up the energy, the fire, to break free of the rat race a second time. They know, from sometimes bitter personal experience, how great a leap into the unknown launching a career in the arts is, how precarious it is and how numbing the fear can become. Deep in their hearts, way too many of us know that we don't have it within us to do that again.

I have something to sustain me that most of them don't. I have YOU.

It is you,the population of SL, who have continued to show up to my sets, continued to appreciate my performances and kept my sense of identity as a musician alive. I'm still putting a set list together every week because I'm bringing it to you and you're showing up to hear it. Even though that soul-crushing day job is blowing massive holes in my schedule, I'm still a performer because of you.

So, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. You are what I have reason to be thankful for this season.

*  *  *  *  * 

Da5id Weatherwax's post didn't have many responses yet, but perhaps this will soon increase as word gets around.

Source: Second Life Forums 

Club Zero Gravity is Hiring

Are you a DJ or club host.hostess looking for a place to work? Good news! Club Zero Gravity, a space-themed club with a long history, is accepting applications for both.

Currently, the club is looking for people willing to work at the following times (though can always use backups for current staff).

Mondays: 10AM to 4PM
Tuesdays : 11AM to 2PM
Fridays : 1PM to 4PM, 4PM to 6PM

For more information, message club manager Matoazma Kazyanenko.

Sunweaver Space (129, 249, 3597)

SL16B Applications Now Open, "We Are Excited To Return to Being More Involved" Says Linden Lab

Last Friday, Linden Lab announced on the official blog that applications for the Second Life Sixteenth Birthday Celebration, the SL16B, were now being accepted. They also announced that they would "return to being more involved in the organization of all the events."

As we blogged earlier this month (Announcing “SL16B” - Second Life’s Sweet Sixteen!) SL16B is coming this summer - and part of the celebration means we will be opening applications for Volunteers, Exhibitors and Performers. This year, we are excited to return to being more involved in the organization of all the events. In addition to the official Music Fests, costume parties,  and Shopping events, of the last few years, we’re also returning to our roots and participating more in the development and planning of the main SLB celebration.

Except for the SL3B, Linden Lab ran the first eight Second Life Birthday events. Then on April 2012, they announced they would not be organizing one that year. It was up to the residents to organize one, and eventually a team led by Doc Gascoigne did. "The Birthday" was saved. Although the Lab would slowly get a little involved with the Music Fest and a shopping event, Doc's team would continue organizing the main event up to the SL15B. The Newser would declare them "Persons of the Year" for 2018.

Exhibitor Application  - Applications close on May 15th, 2019  (Exhibitor Policies)
Performer Application  - Applications close on May 15th, 2019 ( Performer Policies)
Volunteer Applications  - Applications close on May 15th, 2019
Merchant Application - Applications close on June 1st, 2019
The applications to audition for the Music Fest are not yet available.

So after several years, apparently Linden Lab will once again be running "The Birthday." It should be interesting to see how things go.

Ari at Creations Park

Ari (Arisia Vita) has been playing the piano for some time in Second Life. Among the places he plays at is Creations Park. Newser writer Deaflegacy was recently there to see one of his performances, and noticed he was getting some assistance from one lady: Carleonie. Following the performance, Deaflegacy met up with them, and interviewed them.

Read Deaflegacy's story in People.

Memorial Concert for Maxx Sabertooth

On July 26, a memorial concert was held for Maxx Sabertooth. Maxx was a live musician, whom was noted for his rhythm and blues music. He has been performing in Second Life for several years, at events as far back as 2012. He had performed at some charity events such as Homes For Our Troops, and the RFL Christmas Expo.

Unfortunately, Maxx was having trouble with his health in the past few years. In July 2017, a fundraising concert to help pay for medical expenses was done by fans and other supporters. Sadly, this was not enough. On July 20, there was an announcement in his fan group that he had died the day before.

As many of you may already know, Our beloved Maxx passed away yesterday after a long fight with heart disease.  He was loved by all of us and his music will be missed by all.

Over the next few days, a memorial event was planned and a memorial grounds area set up. When all was ready, an announcement was made.

Please join us today as we remember the life of Maxx Sabretooth.  Memorial service starting at 4:00 pm SLT.  Please use the landmark as the memorial is taking place at Maxx Sabretooth Memorial Garden.

Several musicians would perform at the event, which included names such as Maximillion Klene and Keeba Tammas in the schedule. When I dropped in at 8PM, the concert was still going on with over forty people at the grounds. Frets Nirvana, best known for his Veterans' charity benefits, had taken the stage.

 At 8:30PM, Paul Nowles would perform, going on to 9PM (Midnight EST), when the event came to a close.

The Maxx Sabertooth Memorial Garden is at Make it R3ign (185/220/26)

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: RFL Live Benefit Concert Wed at 11AM SL Time

Team Meli's Maniacs and Team ACTS will have an event starring Miss Longtail Wednesday at 11am SLT. The event will be held at Clubs Amarantha.  Both teams would love to see you attend this event.  Miss Longtail is just wonderful and can belt out all of our favorite tunes.

Amarantha (25,151,1500)

Interview With Tuna Oddfellow

Tuna Oddfellow is known for a few things, such as in the past having won the "Second Life's Got Talent" competition a decade ago, for his protest against against Linden Lab during what was known as the ToS controversy, but mainly for the Odd Ball, one of  the more unique repeating performances in Second Life. Deaflegacy had a chance to meet up with him, and the two talked about his virtual life and career, as well as some about his real life.

Read Deaflegacy's interview in People.

SL Video: "The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 43: Nnoiz Papp"

(Click here if the video fails to load)

From Draxtor Despres on February 1, "If you are 40 years of age or under and grew up in Germany you have internalized the music and sound effects concocted by Nnoiz Papp’s physical-world alter ego. He has been part of the team that breaths life into the longest running German animated series 'Sendung mit der Maus' and their spin-off shows since 1984 but did you know he literally has a Second Life, full of music that is a completely unique melange of classical and electronic styles?

"Since his early days as a professional musician, Nnoiz mixed classical, pop and jazz genres in his repertoire but also in his choice of instruments: he was an early computer music pioneer in Germany all the while studying the oboe at the esteemed Cologne School of Music.

"Since 2007, Nnoiz has been touring SL and in both worlds/lives he embraces the latest in modular synthesizers, never utters phrases like 'in my day music was so much more [fill in superlative]..' and his house seems more crammed with musical gadgets than Robert Moog’s garage in the 60ties.

"Invoking Wendy Carlos, he processes Bach and Haendel with a breath controller and while active in the local music scene Nnoiz only in the virtual world can he connect in real time with a different global audience on a different stage sometimes several times a week.

"And while technology is improving at a rapid pace with input devices that increase immersion - if you look closely you will see Nnoiz use a Leap Motion in one sequence - the secret sauce of good old Second Life seems to be as tasty as ever: empower people to share their creativity with as little interference as possible.

"So come on down and enjoy the show!"

For more info on nnoiz go to http://www.nnoiz.com/

For more info on his "day job" check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Sen...

Interview with Tuna Oddfellow

Tuna Oddfellow is known for a number of things, such as having won the "Second Life's Got Talent" show by NBC in 2007, and being part of the content creator rights movement that rallied against Linden Lab's changing the terms of service at their expense in 2013. But what he is best known for is his unique performance in Second Life, the Odd Ball. Just before his tenth rezzday on August 15, Second Life Newser had a chance to interview him. He would talk about his early days on the Grid, his partner Shava Suntzu, and more.

Read more in People.

Tuna Oddfellow's 10th Rezzday Odd Ball

Tomorrow Saturday August 15, 2015 marks the tenth Rezzday of one of Second Life's most unique performers: Tuna Oddfellow. To celebrate, he will be holding his Odd Ball twice that day, at Noon and 6PM SL time. Performing the music will be noted Second Life musician Beth Odets.

the Dragonhenge sim at (126, 122, 651)

"An unblown mind is a terrible think to waste."

SL12B Applications Deadline Extended to Monday May 18

Originally, those applying for applications to be exhibitors, performers, or volunteers for the SL12B had until Wednesday May 13. It was announced on the SL12B blog and inworld group that the time has been extended to next Monday May 18.

Many of you have IMed us saying you need more time Captain. We heard you!!! We will extend all applications till Monday May 18. More time to plan your build, where you want to volunteer, your DJ set, your auditorium presentation, what songs to sing for your performance.

No excuse now. Go to http://www.slcommunitycelebration.info/ and sign up.

DJ Clair Knows How to Make Hearts Sing

Clair Westbrook is not your typical music player. While some DJs specialize in certain genres such as rave or trance, Clair's choice of music to focus on is one not the most commonly found among DJs across the Grid: romance music. Celene Highwater recently met up with her, and the two sat down for an interview.

Read Celene's story in People.

Interview with DJ Keao, Creations Park's "Blind DJ"

Second Life Newser recently heard about the debut of a new DJ at Creations Park, the home of the Creations for Parkinsons group, Keao Resident. While this might not seem like news outside the group, Keao was advertised as a "Blind DJ."  Bixyl Shuftan recently had an interview with Keao, and she had a few things to say about how she came to Second Life, and eventually to Creations Park.

Read the interview in People.

(Some corrections and an addition at the end after she contacted us later)