Update on Cypress Rosewood

Last week, Second Life Musician Cypress Rosewood was the target of a robbery in real life when a burglar broke into his home (link). Cypress posted on his blog, “our Macintoshes were stolen, my wife's jewelry, two very special guitars including a 1935 Kay Kraft that I received after my grandfather passed, and my main microphone was trashed.“ Fortunately, he had some instruments with him as he was out of town, and having recently upgraded his computer had backed up the hard drive, “you can never have enough backups.”

Of the help he was given, “The outpouring from SL fans and friends the past few days has been overwhelming. It has brightened our mood and spirits here in RL immensely. ... I would like to thank a few people who have been instrumental in helping out with benefits and support. In no particular order, a big thanks to Woode Wood, Jana Kyomoon Hamlet Au, Delinda Dyrssen, Cellandra Zon, Pooky Amsterdam, Von Johin, Crap Mariner, Truelie Telling, Troy McCluhan, Torben Asp, Jess Oranos, Fricker Fracker, Hathead Rickenbacker, Escape Unplugged, Leanna Luftig, Frets Nirvana and Heath Elvejhem and so many more. All people who have helped this past week and fostered publicity making people aware of the situation, please know that it has just helped out immensely.” Cypress stated through donations he was able to get a new computer.

Recently, Second Life Newspaper had a chance to talk with Cypress about the incident, saying there was now a suspect in the case and a warrant for his arrest issued, “he has not been caught yet. I got the heirloom guitar back though.” The burglar had listed the two guitars on Craigslist, “he is not very bright, lucky for me. The detective told me to go buy a lottery ticket.” Cypress, “posted a counter ad, saying they were stolen. The guy that bought them contacted me, as he scours the guitars several times a day on craigslist.” Cypress was soon contacted by a guitar shop, and they had a photocopy of the seller’s drivers license.

On his blog, Cypress stated he had both guitars back, “I have no idea if the jewelry or the computers will ever be found. Will have to see what develops, and if this person is the actual person who broke into our home or not. The guy does have a record and the detective says they will arrest him on burglary charges.”

Cypress soon had to leave, as he was already back at work doing more music videos, “We are working a couple. This one we are working on is Europa Under Ice.” He also had another available, “Color my Dream.”

“I was able to perform live music into Second Life this past weekend again with the grand generosity of the SL community and it makes my heart sing. Thanks so much for the support. My family and I sincerely appreciate it. It has seemed like a team effort with all the positive energy. Sincerely, Cypress Rosewood“

(Picture from Delinda Dyrssen)

Bixyl Shuftan

Cypress Rosewood Gets Helping Hand After Robbery

Cypress Rosewood is a noted musician in Second Life, as well as the host of the “When Worlds Collide” talk show. When returning home on the night of the 24th, he got a nasty shock. The back door of his home had been knocked down and thousands of dollars worth of computers, and instruments had been stolen. Some of the equipment he had been using to play music online. It was a particularly bitter blow to Cypress.

Fortunately, word spread among his friends, who began taking action. Tony Gerber’s music shop offered music for sale with proceeds going to Cypress. Pooky Amsterdam’s “The 1st Question” talk show held a fundraiser for him on Tuesday the 26th at 7PM SL time. Chatting with Pooky about the fundraiser, she responded, “It was very successful, and I am happy for that.” The next day, also at 7 PM, Cellandra Zon at “The Pocket” club held another fundraiser.

Needless to say, Cypress was very appreciative for the help. He posted the following on his Twitter page, “Thanks Second Life friends & fans coming together to raise money to replace stolen items from our home & get me back playing music live.”

Bixyl Shuftan

Sources: Delinda Dryssen’s Blog

OD Designs Custom Music Shop

Want to go to a place where you can not only get a cool guitar, but also customize it to your liking? Head on over to OD Designs, where one can get guitars, drum sets, and musical AO's to perform your own dream concert, and more.

The store itself has a *huge* variety of guitars up for sale, grouped by the name of the maker of their real-life counterparts, as well as the models and color schemes of the instruments.

“There’s no real genre attached to this (store),” store director Leilani Teskat explained, “We have several different musical tastes here. I’m trying to get a Shakira tribute to play here soon, hopefully. Our tributes are open to any of the tribute houses. We offer that to give them added exposure. Plus, we also have the OD Band HUB too. That gives even more exposure, that’s located out on the back porch. We also have OD Live, which is our Live Artists branch of things. We’re partnered with some live performers too, StevenJaimz, Anek, Space Junky, to name a few.”

“So it really is a wide open genre. (laughter) Which I prefer, because it adds to the variety.”

Leilani went on, “Also, we’re partnered with real-life guitar manufacturers ... Ortho makes reproductions in-world of them.” Leilani explained the real-life companies treat the virtual goods more or less as a kind of advertising, “so we provide text shouts when the person wears the guitar. Plus, we have links from the OD website to all of their sites. Plus, I have them followed on Twitter too, and we have them on Myspace and Facebook. So we’ve got the whole web 2.0 network going.” Feedback from the real-live guitar companies has been “very positive. Actually, some of them have been so impressed, they linked our website onto theirs. So we have our pages on theirs. The ones I specifically built myself, so that’s been a real feather in my cap, so to speak. ;-) “

She brought up the website of the BC Rich guitar company, which at the bottom had “Visit BC Rich at” followed by several places online, the one virtual world being Second Life, which was a link to her OD Designs page (http://www.odmusic.info/leilani/bcrich%20webpage.htm). “If you go there, and look at the very bottom, you’ll see the link to SL,” which was a SURL to their store, “That’s the webpage I made for them, and the others too. It’s added promotion for them too, something interesting.”

But the store does more than just sell guitars, it allows one to modify them, “We’ve got (a) custom shop that allows people to customize their OD guitars and basses, even adding their own stickers to their instruments. It’s very cool! ... There’s also a short video on how to do it.” She showed me the shop, which has separate stations for stickers and streamers. A webpage shows two videos on how to operate the booths (http://www.odmusic.info/CustomShop/customshop.html#Custom%20Streamer%20Station). For stickers, one can select from the textures in the station, or use one of your own from your inventory. You can also enlarge or shrink the sticker and choose where on the surface of the guitar front you want it. For streamers, the guitars come with three invisible ones hanging from the headstock. The booth allows you to texture and tinit from one to three. Once again, either one can use a texture of those from the booth or one of your own.

When one wears the guitar, one gets a copy of the Heads Up Display to control it with various animations, “you can also adjust the guitar on your av (recommended if you have a tail), then when you have it positioned properly, click the guitar and select ‘Teachfront.’ “
The custom shop has its own HUD as well to help with editing the guitar. Guitars can be copied for one’s inventory, or one can use the store redelivery system for a new copy.

For purchases made at the store, customers are given OD rewards points. “Just like air miles, in a sense,” Leilani explained, “It’s helped out a lot of people who want to do tributes.” In picking the guitar, one may want to pay attention to how it’s color compares to your clothes, “ That's the biggest problem I've found is matching the color up. Sometimes SL can make it kinda disappear. If you have an all black ensemble it gets lost.” The guitars are also highly detailed, down to the strings, made from about 180 to over 250 prims. Most of the guitars come in three sizes, “some of these guitars are so big for my av ... but I want them that big to show off, if I use the Medium sized ones they look good but you can't see the detail.”

Besides guitars, OD Designs also sells drum sets, in different sizes, “the medium ... , the monsters, these are the model most commonly used in Second Life, and the small ... People usually get them depending on which tribute or application they are wanting to do.” Like the guitars, the drums are highly detailed, “we do offer a wearable version of the drums just in case people don't want to use up any prims.” The largest “monster” set is The Titan, “there are a lot of people who just love that particular drum kit ... they also do different things, like the Titan there can spin around and even UFO around.” Like the guitars, drum sets come with their own HUDs for options like different styles of drumming, lights and special effects, and spinning the whole set around drummer and all, “I suggest not doing it in Mouse View.” Sitting on the drums, one gets a copy of the HUD plus the drumsticks.

OD Designs also sells keyboards and pianos.

Animations can be remote-controlled, “say you were a live artist playing a guitar, you could have a friend control your animations.” OD Designs sells the H2V vocal HUD, “some do use this vocal HUD along with the guitar playing as some real-life artists sing and play guitar.” And it also has the H2X, a whole-body HUD similar to the one with the guitars, but has many more animations, over fifty, “ think of it as the HUD you get with the guitar is the H2 lite.”

Leilani also pointed out the Redelivery and Help Center, which can get people a fresh copy of their guitars, as well as showing how many reward points they have.

“Someone can come in get a guitar, and be able to do a tribute or performance right away,” Leilani explained, “and we also have a database of people wanting to get into the SL music industry (so to speak) ... the SL Live Music scene is very live and kicking, there are a LOT of live artists, some using SL to promote their own music, and then directing people to their websites to make sales. ... We're trying to help the people get more gigs too because we know that if they're not making the lindens they can't purchase OD Gear. So I'm always looking for ways to help people, and help them step up their performance too. Not just me but the other OD staff. We all help out in customer service.”

The OD Designs website is at http://www.odmusic.info/. The page for the custom shop is at (http://www.odmusic.info/CustomShop/customshop.html#Custom%20Streamer%20Station) and the one for the H2X Full Motion Authentic Guitar Animation HUD / AO at (http://www.odmusic.info/H2x/H2x.htm).

“OD ROCKS!!”

Bixyl Shuftan

Classical Music Duos find a Virtual World Connection

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA (June 6, 2009) –

Duo Appassionato is a violin duo based in North Carolina. DnA, a duo for piano and oboe, calls Los Angeles home. Although 3,000 miles separate them, this Tuesday, June 9, the two duos will perform together for a concert to benefit the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. The remarkable thing about this concert is what brought these musicians together in the first place, the virtual world of Second Life.

Second Life, developed by Linden Lab and entering its sixth year of existence, is a web based 3D virtual environment in which all of the ‘in-world’ content is user created. Within Second Life, a growing and dedicated classical music community is thriving. DnA, comprised of former Los Angeles Philharmonic principal oboist David Weiss and his wife, pianist Alpha H. Walker, had been playing regular recitals for Second Life audiences for more than a year when they met and became instant friends with Duo Appassionato. Duo Appassionato consists of violinists Yang Xi and Izabela Spiewak. Both Spiewak and Xi, who is the assistant concertmaster, are members of the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.

The two duos view this as the beginning of a long musical collaboration and they see this as an indicator of just how powerful a resource Second Life can be for generating interest in classical music. They recently were the featured guests on another classical music resource that emanates from Second Life. “Music Academy OnLIVE,” hosted by Benton Wunderlich, the Second Life avatar of composer David Schwartz, Ph.D. “I think,” says Walker who not only performs but also conducts regular music appreciation talks in the virtual world, “that we are just beginning to see a glimpse the immense potential, the amazing impact that Second Life can have on classical music.” Walker also noted that some of the music on the benefit program was written especially for the two duos by composers who are also engaged in the Second Life classical music scene.

This benefit concert will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, 8pm Tuesday, June 9, on the campus of Meredith College in the Carswell Recital Hall.

For more information visit: www.raleighsymphony.com, or, www.archive.treet.tv/music-academy-onlive-duo-dna-duo-appassionato

Contact
Robin Bell – Media/Public Relations
Music Academy Online
contact@musicacademyonline.com

The Syncopation Factor and Life Between Two Worlds

One of the great things about Live Music in Second Life is that occasionally you run across a musician that really makes an impact on the music scene. Australian Dexter Ihnen (Dexter Morph) in real life is one such person. I finally got a chance to chat and find more about why hes one of the most popular Musicians in Second Life.

Delinda Dyrssen: Dexter lets start with something Ive been wondering since I first heard of you... “The Funkalicious one!” Where did that come from?

Dexter Ihnen: Ha ha - It's so long ago now I almost find it hard to lock down the moment. But it was in the first couple of months when someone first said it at an event and it got repeated until well, it became a kind of a tag that I happily accepted, being that Soul and Funk have been and are such a big part of my music. So The Funkalicious One is a kind of a parody on Buddha - The Compassionate one - having studied and practiced Eastern philosophy most of my life - the parallel was just too funny to deny ;)

Delinda Dyrssen: You do have a message .. a certain spirit you convey in your music. Can you tell me more about this?

Dexter Ihnen: Of course..... How long do we have .... No seriously, it's important to me as an artist to know what it is you have to say and why. An artist needs to know their intent - in fact that goes for all of us, but before an artist can truly come from their center and reach others I believe that that is vital, so, I endeavor to 'lift' my spirit in order to lift others when I perform. Lifting oneself up is paramount to realizing dreams - rather than be disappointed in what we think we haven't got - be grateful for what we have and dream about the rest. In the making of that dream into the material world there is an alchemic quality that we need to apply to our inner life and that is what I endeavor to convey. The evolution of mankind actually depends on that in my view :)

Delinda Dyrssen: Well must admit.. I know I get an uplifting feeling when I listen to your music.. and thats just here in the virtual world.. I can imagine what it would be like in Real life. You also have an interesting take on the real life Music Industry. What are your thoughts on this?

Dexter Ihnen: Once again - thats a huge subject with me but I can summarize; Until the advent of CD roms and the Internet the Mainstream Music Industry had all the cards and they played them very tight to their chest. I saw and experienced a lot of what I call 'Art Crime' in that period ( the wasting of the talent and financial greed around Elvis Presley is a good example - and that's what really killed him if you ask me) Anyway, now things are vastly different and it is no wonder that the major labels have been and are really scared - kind of karma if you will. Artists don't need them anymore. That said, I have (through my presence and success in SL ) recently signed to a great Publishing company who embody a new approach to music sales and artist relationship. I have a lot of hope for the future being that I can see great evolution along with the freedom that the Internet brings including and especially at this time - programs like Second Life.

Delinda Dyrssen: Yes the Internet seems to have leveled the playing field a bit hasn't it. I know you have done support work with some very well known artists like Dizzy Gillespie to AC DC and Midnight Oil.. Tell me what is the biggest difference between playing out there in the real world and playing here in Second Life? And Why do you do it?

Dexter Ihnen: The Biggest difference? Well, to perform in SL you don't have to risk having a car end up on your hood on the way the gig where you may well have to lug your gear in through the rain, then wrestle with tech difficulties and managers etc., then wait for a month to get paid by them. LOL No really, Performing in SL is simply unique - the interaction between artist and listener is quite remarkable and has made a primo multi-tasker out of this longterm space-case :) The support and feedback in SL is unlike 1st life in that it is clearly visible or graphically visible - however as you play dealing with that can be tricky, if you read while you sing you can get caught in the trap of singing what you are reading. But all in all Second Life is what I call a whole new room in the house of entertainment and I'm happy to be part of the furniture :)

Playing live with artists like AC/DC, Crowded House etc. and the plethora of other Australian greats I've been able to share the bill with is something that always was and always will be the root of what we call Rock & Roll - or showbiz if you like. The smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd - it's the physical experience that is it's own unshakable uniqueness about it.

Delinda Dyrssen: You have a very unique sound.. I think described as a funky plucking of the guitar strings .. a very unusual and great sounding style of it. Tell me more about how this came about and how you would describe it?

Dexter Ihnen: Well I call it 'Ricky Tick'. It's a play on 'pick' and also a tribute to 'Steely Dan' ( of which I am a huge fan - Ricky don't loose that number ) From a distance and unamplified that is what it sounds like too - a friend was walking into a gig of mine once and heard me playing unamplified ( and so - no bass ) and he said what he heard was all this kind of snapping and clicking lol . It's a style I formulated on the roads in Europe when I traveled there over a 2 year period. I lived rough on the roads and busked as well as picked grapes in major French vineyards. I wanted to encompass some of the elements of music that I had been listening to for some years rather than just strum the same old way. I used mainly the influences of 4 bass players to achieve the sound. Also, fusion Jazz and Latin rhythms played a big part in the syncopation factor and counter melodies.

Delinda Dyrssen: I love it and yes I do notice a bit of a latin rhythm in some of your tracks. So what is in the works currently for you (Dexter Morph in RL) and Dexter Ihnen here on Second Life?

Dexter Ihnen: Dexter Morph now :) and that's due to my life between the two worlds - also my life-long penchant for change and evolution. Well, the year so far has been really big in that I have been commissioned to produce a CD for a band here ( that is nearly done now ) and I am also in the early stages of doing my first serious single including video. Later in the year a longterm project of a major album production of my own music will also be completed and released as soon as possible after the single has run it's course. Besides that, It's gigs and more gigs. I have also been asked to lecture in a Steiner School and teach Production and Engineering - studio craft. So, there is a LOT going on. Besides all that I get up for a two hour training session most mornings now - just to maintain energy and build focus. I find it hard to function on this level without that.

Delinda Dyrssen: Wow.. I guess the physical aspect is important isn't it. How can one find your music to purchase it? And what group can they join on SL to find out about upcoming virtual performances?

Dexter Ihnen: Ok in SL my group is 'Planet Dex' - so notices come out across that, as well as 8 others usually. Most events will be in the listings also but Planet Dex is the sure fire way to hear. In 1st Life, one can buy my CDs from my website www.dexonyx.com on the audio page. Or email me directly at dexter@dexonyx.com or go to iTunes and look up both Dexter Morph and Dexter Morph. Better still, come down under and I'll give you a freebie ;)

Delinda Dyrssen: Well a trip down under may just be in order!..one last question.. As a successful RL and SL Musician.. What advice can you give to a anyone out there thinking about performing in SL?

Dexter Ihnen: Just do it! It can be tricky to get the hang of it initially but people here are very understanding and I myself am very supportive of anyone who has the gumption to get up and sing or play music - it's good for the soul :)

By Delinda Dyrssen

Interview with Ichie Kamachi

By Bixyl Shuftan

I first saw Ichie Kamachi at Mystery during one of her live music performances at Mystery. A great singer with a beautiful tone, the audience applauded every song. Later on, I had a chance to meet up with her (accompanied by her close friend Greek Miklos), and ask about how she became a singer in Second Life and other details of her musical career here.

Bixyl Shuftan: So how did you hear about Second Life?

Ichie Kamachi: I was with some other freinds in a forum and we were on There.com. Some of them migrated here and convinced us to check it out. I’ve been here ever since.

Bixyl Shuftan: How was your time as a newcomer here?

Ichie Kamachi: I was very very sheltered for the first few months. Our friends owned a sim. I never left there, except to shop. And only when someone TP'd me there. So the first ... oh 4 months was like that. I finally started to get out more places, but I was basically a newbie for a long time, didn't know how to do much but dance, sit, and chat. (laugh) But it's the people I started to meet that kept me here. Second Life is full of amazing people.

Bixyl Shuftan: What gave you the idea of becoming a singer here?

Ichie Kamachi: I have a friend I met here. His name is Detritus Rau, awesome guitarist. He wanted to perform live here, but he doesn't sing and he found out I could. He planted the bug. First it was he'd send his backing tracks and I'd play my voice over them and he'd use that and play over then in his shows. Then I spoke to some other friends who are in the music business in real life, and they helped me get set up to sing live here.

Bixyl Shuftan: How did your first sessions go?

Ichie Kamachi: Very well. the very first time. Detritus IMed that he was playing and TPed me there. When I got there he said, “Okay, this is your two song warning: I signed you up to sing.”

“What are you going to do?” I thought to myself, “people are waiting... for you. So you get up and do it.”

But I've been very very blessed, very well received here in Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan: Do you also sing in real-life?

Ichie Kamachi: Not any more. I grew up mostly in Hawaii, and they have a strong music community there. I used to do some singing with some of the entertainers there. But now, only in my bedroom. :)

Bixyl Shuftan: How many performances do you do a week?

Ichie Kamachi: Anywhere from about 8-14 or so. A lot of them regular shows, like the Queen of Hearts Club on the Mystery Sim. I'm there every other Wednesday at 4 PM SL time. :) We always get an awesome group of people there, one of my favorite places to perform. And Tygeria LOVES the naughty song :) It has been going over really big in Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan: Besides singing, I notice on your profile you also write.

Ichie Kamachi: (laughs) Yes. I'm what I refer to as a "dabbler." I do a lot of things, passably I would like to think. But until now, nothing ... very well. Writing has gone on hold for a while, though people keep asking. So I need to finish the rewrites and post it somewhere.

Bixyl Shuftan: Going back to music, what would be your favorite kinds of songs to perform?

Ichie Kamachi: Oh anything I love. But, I really love the old stuff: jazz, ballroom, blues ... stuff even before my time. *winks* (laugh)

Bixyl Shuftan: heh ;-)

Ichie Kamachi: I'm starting to like the obscure songs, and lesser known artists.

Ichie crashed at this point in the interview, but soon returned and went back to the subject.

Ichie Kamachi: My favorite song changes all the time. Right now, it's songbird. Which is a good thing since that is my first single I'm bringing out.

Bixyl Shuftan: Oh? Could you give some details?

Ichie Kamachi: Well, my fans have been asking for MP3's and CD's for months now, and it was pretty daunting. But we are working with some great people who have the resources we need. So the custom backing should be done this weekend and hopefully the single will be out for sale within 2 weeks. Then we'll be working on a full CD. Probably romantic jazz and ballroom, but that's not firm yet.

People are waiting, although right now I have about half a dozen Second Life DJ's who play my songs in their sets when they work. I love my fans. They are not only very loyal, but many of them have gone out of their way to help push my "career." And I've gotten many new fans from the DJ's playing my songs at the different clubs.

Bixyl Shuftan: Have there been any particularly memorable performances, such as something unexpected being pulled by the audience or host?

Ichie Kamachi: Hmmm, let's see ... Not really performances, but it's when people are touched by what I do. I had one young girl who was coming to all my shows, and I wondered why since I was doing mostly the jazz back then. She told me one day that her sister was older and a singer and she remembers sitting at her feet listening to her practice the same songs. But all her family is gone now.

Then another lady who loves when I do Bobby McGee. Her late hubby was a producer on Janis' last album. They are both gone, but it brings back good memories for her. That's why I do this. That's where I get the most satisfaction. It still astounds me when people say I make them cry. As long as people enjoy it, it makes me happy to do it. I also do a lot of benefits, my way of giving back.

Bixyl Shuftan: What charities have you performed at?

Ichie Kamachi: Oh so many. Cancer and autism are my two big ones. So are Relay for Life events. Blues for Autism I did last month. That was awesome. People don’t realize I do more than jazz. I've only done some for the Australian bush fires and some smaller charities too, and Make-a-Wish Foundation, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Children of Ireland, American Cancer Society, and another cancer one in Europe. I forget the name. But almost any charity that can show they are legitimate, I try and make room for.

Bixyl Shuftan: Bringing up something that maybe I should have brought up earlier, I notice that Greek has been by your side the whole time. What can you tell of him?

Ichie Kamachi: (laughs) Greek is an amazing man. :) He holds my heart but he has also been my strongest supporter. He does a bit of everything.

Greek Miklos: Thank you Love, but I am nothing more than just a simple poet and wordsmith.

Ichie Kamachi: He helps find me shows, greets my fans, helps me wade through the legal gobbly gook ... I don’t know what I'd do without him. And yes he is an amazing poet.

Greek Miklos: *blushes*

Ichie Kamachi: :) And modest (laughs)

Bixyl Shuftan: *chuckle* Do you have any future plans with your singing career, or anything else?

Ichie Kamachi: I am always looking toward the future, like I mentioned. Right now, trying to get these recordings out. After that who knows. :) I'm always open to offers and suggestions, especially those that are win-win for every one. :)

Greek Miklos: Just not the kind we have made to each other ... the offers I mean.

Ichie Kamachi: Yes of course Love :) ... We do get some of those too. (laugh)

Greek Miklos: But we are so happy together.

Ichie Kamachi: Yes we are. :)

Bixyl Shuftan: Anything else that you'd like to add?

Ichie Kamachi: Hmmm ... Anything, Love?

Greek Miklos: I am happy that the Second Life community has been so receptive to Ichie

Ichie Kamachi: I am grateful, yes! To my fans and friends, without them, I wouldn't be where I am. I know it sounds cliche, but it's very true. Your fans can make or break you in Second Life especially. I never forget that, and love to see them return again and again. They all become good friends.

Greek Miklos: And don't forget the great venue owners who have given Ichie a chance to show what she can do.

Ichie Kamachi: Yes, I love my venues.

Greek Miklos: They are some great people.

Ichie Kamachi: Like family. And most of them I'd bend over backward to help, and have. Like the Queen of Hearts Anniversary. I was totally booked for this weekend, but slid them in. I didn't want to miss something so important.

It was then that the interview ended, we wished each other well, and we went our seperate ways.

Ichie Kamiche keeps a schedule of her events in her profile.

“If you are looking for a voice that is sultry, sensuous, and as smooth as butter to set a truely romantic tone to your night, look no further. With a heart as big as her voice, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.”

Bixyl Shuftan

Mystery’s 3 Year Aniversary

By Bixyl Shuftan

It was three years ago that the Mystery sim was created in Second Life. And to celebrate, the Heart of Mystery Group is holding a three day 3rd Anniversary event-filled weekend from Friday May the 15th to Sunday the 17th to celebrate, filled with dancing and live music from Mystery’s own singers and some talent from outside.

The fun began on Friday May 15th at 11 AM SL time with the “Color’s of Love” party, with people wearing red, white, pink, or a combination. At 1 PM, Lexie Luan sang live on the top of the Queen of Hearts riverboat, followed at 3 PM by Ichie Kamachi with her graceful notes. The audience danced away to the live songs, occasionally getting a few Linden coins dropped onto them from above.

Saturday, the event started at 11:00 with a dance party on top of the Queen of Hearts, with Debi Latte singing on the stage, starting with “All of Me.” Mystery’s leader Tygeria Mirabeau wore a revealing dress that kept with her “Queen of Hearts” theme with all the hearts placed on it. The largest part was an animated cape which had a heart pattern that flowed like water. Tyg joked that Debi looked “delicious,” and the joke led to her starting a raffle with the prize being the winner getting to bite her (the results will be in a later edition of Mystery’s magazine). The party did have a hiccup when several people crashed at once, and rerezzing took a while with some people remaining gray for a noticeably long time on a number of residents' viewers. But the party went on with Debi’s gentle voice singing away.

At 12:00, the party went downstairs to the riverboat’s ballroom. The “Come As You Are” contest with Tygeria herself as DJ offered 500 for the best male and female each. Plus there was the exploder which got into the hundreds at times. It was quite a party, even if SL was acting up at first, though soon things settled down as we danced to “Queen of Hearts” and other songs. The winners were Anny Sweetwater for the women. Danilindo Wulluf was runner up for the men, with a certain reporter ending up with the top prize.

At 3 PM, it was back to the top of the riverboat. Kiaranne Flanagan sang while playing her guitar. This time the lag that hit the party before was largely gone. So everyone was more free to concentrate on Kiaranne’s music, which had Tygeria reaching for tissues at one point. The singing and dancing went on for a few minutes past the planned ending at 4 PM.

Sunday May the 15th will be offering three musicians singing live. At 2 PM SL time will be Mystery’s own Lyn Carlberg. At 3PM, Dallas Horsefly will be singing live. And last but not least will be Kim Seifert at 4 PM to conclude the anniversary party for the Mystery sim and the Queen of Hearts riverboat club.

Mystery is in the sim of the same name, with the “Queen of Hearts” club in the southeast.

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview with SL Musician ZDiva Sorbet

By Nazz Lane

A friend had introduced us shortly after I’d heard her perform for the first time. She’d wowed the audience that evening with a marvelous voice and a professional stage presence. Normally a solo artist, she’d appeared that day in a dual stream performance with her SL Partner Diesel Karillion. We chatted briefly after the show and discussed dates and time for a meeting. We both had busy schedule and it was a few weeks before we did so. We met in my office at this newspaper headquarters.

“Hello there! Don’t mind the get up, I’m doing a 70's disco gig at 6pm and I’m totally Gloria Gaynor’ed out.” She said as she arrived.

I commented that she hadn’t rezzed for me yet and she replied, “Trust me. I’m a walking disco ball, which is all good. Give the people what they want. I was a ferret for April fool's day. The venue owners wanted different. So I sat on my tip jar all night as a ferret and sang.”

“Isn't that what show business is all about.” I commented.

“Absolutely!” She exclaimed then added, “My mom was a lounge singer, and as a kid I grew up in bars with her band ... she would wear all the bling in the world, the costume jewelry to match. She said it was all a show, from sound to visuals. I think I’m channeling that.”

“When did you start performing?” I asked, and then quickly added for clarification, “In both RL and SL.”

“In RL ... around age ten, but not professionally. I come from a very musical family ... I took piano and cello since I was a kid and did recitals. Mom is a voice coach sang a lot with her and my brother at church things. I learned at her knee, than started doing my own gigs around town, mostly weddings, piano bars, tagging along with a piano player I know. It's a fun thing for me, really. Meet a lot of great people … SL is the same. I’ve only been singing in SL since July.”

“What bought you into SL?”

“A pal of mine who was singing here asked me to come in and I showed up ...Voila! It wasn't too much prodding needed. I'm a computer nerd by trade, I do websites in RL and the whole program fascinated me and the live music scene that he was talking about. How I loved it right from the get-go, I go listen more than I sing in SL ... enjoy the theatrics of it all ... the talent ... the diversity. “

“Is there one memory and venue here in SL that stands out for you?”

“Actually yes … While there are many that I'm endeared to for giving me my start in SL, namely Jade's Jazz Island and Heavens Tears. The one venue that stands out in my mind ... is on a SIM called Bosporus because I got to sing on a suspension bridge over a bay dancing my tail off on top of an old cab ... everyone around me having a great time. It was just so breathtaking. I thought to myself while I was singing ... can this get any better.”

“Do you write some of your songs?”

“I wish I did. I play instruments, and I sing, but songwriting is not one of my skills. I guess I can't have everything. One of the things I wish I could do for myself. I have to be happy with the idea that not all musicians can write their own music. Seeing jazz singer Diana Krall in concert this summer ... she sings all standards, other people's music, and she's okay with that. It has to work for me as I can't do it myself.”

“Is there one genre you prefer to perform?”

“If I had to answer… I'd say Broadway. However, there isn't much of an audience in SL, that I’ve come across anyway, that wants to hear a lot of it. I grew up listening to Broadway stuff... When I was living in NY, I'd make a trip to the city and catch the shows.”

“Where do you see yourself in six months to a year from now?”

“In RL, no place different … Just more oratorio under my belt and a nicer resume for soloist work around town. In SL, that’s hard to say. I have this weird fear... of over exposing myself. Like the people in my fan groups would tire of hearing my voice. I think I'm pretty lucky to be doing as well as I am in SL as it is. I can't really hope for much more. People, their tastes change … and the SL music scene is seeing new faces and hearing new voices day by day. So I may be lost in the mix. I hope I won’t.”

“If a new SL musician came to you for advice, what would you tell them?”

“New SL musicians come to me all the time and I love it. I've helped three of them in the last two months alone. Not sure why they come to me ... but they do and I’m more than happy to get them started. They ask questions about music, equipment, booking gigs, getting your name out there … but I do impart one piece of advice to all of them … don't let it stop being fun. I think that's paramount. When you lose sight of the happiness and joy that you can bring to people and it turns into drudgery … something you feel you have to do and it no longer is a fun thing … step back and regroup.”