The Music Never Stops

So my favorite activity in SL is dancing. I'll dance to anything - radio streams, streams from Dead shows, and "Rock Concerts". But by far, my favorite music to dance to are live performers. And there are sooo many awesome musicians in SL, I can't pick a favorite. So I want to share with you a few of my favorites. There are so many more (and if they agree, I'll add them in).


Interview with Monty:

1. How long have you been performing in RL? In SL? In RL, I played bar gigs in my hometown of Louisville for about 12 years, mostly as a solo, occasionally in bands. Then I moved away and quit playing for [unintelligible mumble] years, although I sang in a few a cappella groups (and still do - see www.soundworkschorus.org).

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to play in a working band, which I enjoyed very much for about 6 months; but I decided I preferred the solo route where I get to pick the material and interpret it myself. For a little over a year, SL has provided me an opportunity to hone my skills and ease back into solo performing. I haven't started looking for RL solo gigs yet, but I'm about to; and if possible, I'll stream them live in SL.

2. What do you like about performing in SL? Besides the groupies, you mean? LOL, just kidding... I read somewhere that half of them are guys anyway. ;-)

I've always been one to bring my guitar with me to parties, and will sing for friends at the drop of a hat. Playing in SL is very much like playing at a party. You can "hear" the chitchat among the audience members, and join in the conversation to some extent (although that can get tricky because of the delay inherent in audio streaming). And even a fairly large SL audience is the size of a smallish to medium club audience. It all makes for a very intimate connection between performer and audience.

3. Is there anything else about your performances that you would like me to mention? I almost always have a prepared set list, but I'm also almost always willing to depart from it. I love getting requests from the audience - sometimes they remind me of songs I forgot I knew (and sometimes I try to play them and realize I've forgotten them after all, but screwing up and being forgiven is part of the fun of playing for friends). The important thing is that the audience enjoy the show, whether they're grooving to the music or laughing at the fool with the guitar. And I think they usually do a little of both!

My note: Monty has a group - Montavians... free to join, very low spam, just announcements of my performances... he plays Tuesdays at the Clam and Bean, Saturdays at 5 O'Clock Somewhere, and alternate Thursdays at the Lot.

Interview with Kitzie

1. How long have you been performing in RL? In SL? I don't perform currently in RL. I sang all thru school and some coffee houses in college. I have played the piano pretty much all my life, but never as well as I would like. I got my first guitar when I was about 12 and taught myself. I let my music go over the years.

2. What do you like about performing in SL? SL gave me the "bug" to pick up the guitar again. I love performing here. It is great to be able to sit in the comfort of your own home in jeans and a T-shirt and sing your favorite songs. It is really very relaxing and the audiences are wonderful - they love live music!

3. Is there anything else about your performances that you would like me to mention? I choose songs that I personally like and I just hope the audiences like them as well.

1. How long have you been performing in RL? Years lol :-)) I have my experience behind me and it is alot. In SL I’ve been performing since December of 2007 and loving every min of it. I got started singing at a wedding.

2. What do you like about performing in SL? I have more creativity here in SL. I really enjoy the audiences here - more appreciated. The people are so wonderful. . I love to hear noise when I sing. So the more you make the more I love it. So howl, holler, scream my name. I love it all...

3. Is there anything else about your performances that you would like me to mention? I like to think of my performances as a roller coaster ride. it has its highs and lows. and it keeps the audience wanting more. And they seem to love it all so far. So I keep working on that. . .