Folk Music Venues in Second Life

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 11:05 PM

Just listened to a nice concert by "Tallguy Kidd" singing in "Molaskey's Pub." Sang some neat songs, including one telling Johnny Appleseed there's no more room for apples trees.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 May 07 - 04:08 AM

Well, I dropped in again & joined a whole bunch of groups/pubs. I'll figure out if that was a smart move, down the road.
I added another 512Mbs to my memory, which coincidentally takes me up to 768 which you need to listen to the music, popped in the GeForce FX 5500 video card, all at a cost of around $160+ and that's just to get me in the door.
The benefits of upgrading the computer, however, make it excusable.
Now I will be trying to negotiate my way around but I am left to wonder just how beneficial this could be to a folk singer when most of my audience is still working with steam!

dwditty: I'll be looking for you. I'm Pickled Heron.
God, I don't believe me sometimes.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 09:48 AM

Thanks for posting to this thread, John. I think a festival would be a great idea.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 05:34 AM

Ham Rambler: Nice that you dropped in. I've signed up but haven't had the time to get oriented yet. Looking forward to an interesting experience.
Cheers
Jim

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: GUEST,John Mahon ( aka Ham Rambler)
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 05:25 AM

I own and run Dublin in Second Life (www.dublinsl.com), and we do a lot of live music there. I work on bringing Musicians into second life. The biggest point I make to them is that they can have an audience ( international) of between 30 and 50 on average to hear their music, buy their MP3's and give them tips, and can do it from the comfort of your own home or studio. One of my biggest successes to date is bringing in Callaghan (www.myspace.com/callaghanspage) to Second Life. They are a 6 piece band which presents some logistical challenges. if any of you would like help in learning to play in SL< just send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to help. If I get enough interest, I might even organise a Folk Festival. E-mail me on [e-mail] or send me an IM from Second Life

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 05:26 PM

Oops. This should be the first link...

http://www.alcdv.com/juggle.jpg

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 05:24 PM

Or you can just go with it and get silly. You can, for instance, be juggled by a pink elephant while sitting atop a flaming pink ball.

Like this (that's me flying almost upside down in front of the box-like thing in the first picture and in front of the elephant's ear in the second picture)...

http://www.alcdv.com/juggle2.jpg

http://www.alcdv.com/juggle2.jpg

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 05:10 PM

Jim,

I think that is the typical reaction to SL - especially for us serious-minded folkie types. While I still think it is a bit silly, mostly I don't think about it - the cartoony-video game look. I just get to where I need to be to play or listen to music. Ok, I'll admit it - I have danced a bit. For that matter, I have burst out laughing at some of the antics I have seen. So my advice? Relax. After a bit of time there, it will not feel so freaking strange!

dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 04:10 PM

the whole Video Game look of it is just a wee bit silly

That's true, it is. But you can close your eyes while the music is playing and just listen...

;-)

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 04:05 PM

Well I'd like to blog and listen but the whole Video Game look of it is just a wee bit silly.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 03:56 PM

Jim,

It took me a couple of tries to even begin to figure things out on SL. I second CarolC's emotion, that having someone get you going is helpful, and, in my case, essential! You just need the very basics to be able to enjoy music there....things like clothing for your avatar, etc...lol. Seriously, get some help finding live music (search/events/live music (via pull down). The time is US Pacific (California) time, so adjust for your zone. Go and listen (teleport) to a few, just watch and listen. My guess is you will soon be dancing, too.

(search for me - dwditty, and I am happy to help anyway I can. Just don't ask me to fly, though. It is a very un-bluesy thing to do, IMHO.

dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 02:38 PM

Completely lost but I have so many other things to do, right now.
I'll let you know.
Cheers & Thanks for the PM
Jim

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 01:31 PM

Let me know if you need any help getting started, Jim Lad. It's a bit less intimidating if you don't feel like you're doing it entirely on your own.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 01:30 AM

Got the new video card in. Stuck my head in the door at Second Life, just to make sure it works and left. I'll go back later tonight. Kinda scary in there.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 06:29 PM

Alright!

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 05:42 PM

Well it didn't fit. The good news however is that it's fairly easy to do, I cleaned a lot of dust out of there, I've twist tied all of the wires, got the web-cam & mike hooked up, the staff at Staples said 30 days to bring it back and they can now give me the other product which will surely fit. So, a worthwhile venture.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 03:17 PM

I'm going in.
The force be wi....**&.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 02:52 PM

Any luck?

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 02:06 PM

I just went out and bought a video card. "GeForce 6200" 128MB.
If this doesn't work, I quit but at least I'll have upgraded from the old harvest gold model. So now my computer won't match the fridge & cooker.
I'll be signing off shortly to give it ago but will hang around for the next ten minutes in case any of yous want to help.
Apparently there's a wee cog in there that might not fit.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 12:36 PM

Sounds like a good computer indeed. If you can't access SL because your video card isn't good enough, it's because the graphics are incredibly complicated in there (they need to be or you wouldn't be able to do all the cool things you can do in there).

Do you think you'll be giving up, or should I go ahead and send you a PM with my avatar name?

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 12:05 PM

Carol: I was commenting on your sister's singing. She is very clear.
I have a good computer. It's black and silver and has hundreds of places for plugging in all kinds of stuff. It can play music and I even got an extra player that plugs in where the hairdryer used to go and it came with the whole Nero package so probably the only thing it doesn't have is some kind of self editing thingy.
I'll have my Coffee now.
Cheers to all of you, from the Highlands of Vancouver Island, on this(I haven't looked outside yet) morning.
Jim

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 11:43 AM

I just took a look at the Scottish sim thingy. Is it American?

I don't know the answer to that. Here's what the blog says about what they're doing...

The sims are being created with the hope of representing the country of Scotland in a postive way within Second Life with all the modern and historical time periods' activities and shops

I reckon you could ask someone while you're in there, or send one of the owners of the sim an IM.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: greg stephens
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 11:21 AM

I just took a look at the Scottish sim thingy. Is it American? The Celtic Shopping and Celtic Wedding Chapel seem a bit strange, though I suppose this is a Scottish sim and not actual Scotland.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 11:05 AM

That really sucks, Jim Lad. What kind of computer do you have? Can you see yourself getting a better video card? I was just getting ready to send you a PM with my avatar name so you'd know who I am in there.

If you were listening to the Feb 9 performance, the person doing the most talking in the beginning was not my sister. My sister is the one who sang County Down.

I hope you can get the glitches sorted out.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 04:11 AM

So, I jumped through all of the hoops, signed on to Second Life, got $250 worth of soup ladles or some damn thing, took a silly name, led them into my Paypal account and it won't let me in because my video card isn't good enough for them! Who are these people? I want names!

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 02:55 AM

CarolC: Listening to Keltish in the Blarney Stone right now. Sounds great. Is that your sister doing the talking? Sings in her own accent too. I like that.
PoppaGator. Right! I get it. Poppa Gator. Jeeze I'm not ready for this Cyber World but then I wasn't ready for Busking 'til I jumped in.
Right. So I've had a good look around the Blarney Stone. Had a wee listen to some concerts and I have to say that I like it. Why Not?
If this is the way of the future, I can live with it.
I would encourage any one of you to look into this. I see no reason why we should be left behind. Just train your practices towards playing to a blank wall and jump right in.
Cheers
Jim

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 01:55 AM

PoppaGator: I'm guessing that you had a wee visit on my site about an hour ago. I'm going to look through some of the links here but am more than just a little confused with some of the references to simulation, virtual and realtime and acres of land on one server.
Too much information/misinformation. If you or someone else (real or imagined) can transport me to the proper co-ordinates, I'd be much obliged.
Live long and prosper.
Jim
(She's breaking up, Captain. I don't know how much longer I can hold her ...)

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: PoppaGator
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 12:04 AM

So "Flaming Moe's" is in an imaginary New Orleans, heh? The Flaming Moe's know is located in Springfield, USA, a decidedly different kinda imaginary town...

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:29 AM

Carol

I am still trying to figure out "the world" there, but I have found several live music venues, including Music Isle, The Hummingbird Cafe, Merry Prankster, and so others. I "search" on events and use the pull down to click Live Music. Most of the places I have been to have acoustic acts - solo's...and occasional duo. The music is mostly singer/songwriter or "classic" acoustic pop/rockstuff. That eing said, there was some excellent flamenco the other night. The times I have played, my acoustic blues seems to have been well received. I think most of these places would want to discuss broadening their bookings to include just about anything. I will ask around.

dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:45 AM

A rendition is what it is. The real genius behind it, clearly rests with Gordon Bok.
Good Frosty Morning to all from the Highlands of Southern Vancouver Island!
Cheers
Jim

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:16 AM

Really nice albums, by the way, Jim Lad. I really love your rendition of Peter Kagan and the Wind.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:09 AM

Thanks Carol: I'll be checking it out.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:48 AM

Sounds quite interesting once you get past the freaky, Living in my mummy's basement, pocket protector wearing, glasses mended with sellotape computer geek thing

LOL. I actually haven't encountered very many people like that in Second Life. And I think you'll be a bit amazed at how people tend to dress in there. (I wear ice skates pretty much all the time, myself. If you see a wee woman in a jeans skirt and burgundy sweater skating around in the sky, that's me.)

My sister's band is Celticy Folky also (the sister who owns the bar in SL). Here's her band's website...

http://www.keltish.com/Keltish.html

Her band tends to perform in the Dublin sim and the Scotland sim more than in her bar. Maybe you could get gigs in those sims, too.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:07 AM

CarolC: Celticy Folky.


I'd listen in to something like that. Sounds quite interesting once you get past the freaky, Living in my mummy's basement, pocket protector wearing, glasses mended with sellotape computer geek thing,
Why not?

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 09:02 PM

dwditty, what kind of music do they have at Muse Isle?

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 08:28 PM

Okie dokie, dwditty.

Jim Lad, what kind of music do you play? My sister has a bar in SL and she and her husband host live music there. I can talk to them about the possibility of hosting open mics if anyone is interested.

But you could do what you've described: "throw on a wee concert, anytime (you) want to" if you buy or rent some land and put up a venue of your own. If you do that, you can make the rules in your venue.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 08:11 PM

CarolC, got your IM in SL. I will be on the lookout and will let you know ahead of time if I see any interesting music coming up. Please do the same.

thanks
dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 08:09 PM

Jim Lad, it seems most of the live music is scheduled ahead of time. There are open mics - usually 4-5 songs at a turn.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Jim Lad
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 07:33 PM

So, I can turn on my desk mike and web cam and throw on a wee concert, anytime I want to?

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 06:13 PM

They've recreated parts of New Orleans in SL, PoppaGator (they say it's for charity). It's called 'The Big Easy'. There's going to be a jazz band playing at Flaming Moe's tonight, according to a sign I just saw.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:09 PM

First I'll have to raise enough "Lindens" to buy a mike for my computer...

... the figure out how to install and use it, which will probaly be more difficult!

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:06 PM

PoppaGator, I hope I'll get a chance to hear you perform in Second Life some day.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:51 PM

I sent you an IM in Second Life, dwditty.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:40 PM

HAHAHA.

It is true, PoppaG. The currency on SL is in Lindens. ANd yes, there are tip jars. As you play, people put Lindens in the tip jar. You actually can see the tips as they are made. It is quite exciteing, because tips can range from few Lindens to as much as 500 or more. You then take your Lindens to an exchange site. The exchange rate is variable, depending on the market conditions. It seems to hover around a rate of $250 lindens = $1 US. The US money is deposited in your PayPal account. At present, SL is churning about$1.5 million a day US!

Jump in.

dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:28 PM

Wait a minute!

DW ~ you can collect REAL MONEY in a "virtual tip jar" out there in cyberspace? Do you use PayPal or something like that? (I'm suddenly getting more interested ;^)

24 bucks for a half-hour open mike slot isn't bad at all. My tip-basket earnings over the past year at my monthly full-hour gig have ranged from $1 (once, when I accepted a too-early 7pm timeslot) to $21.

My total take was considerably higher one night when my wife put in a twenty, just to see my reaction, but I can't really count that. It was like taking money out of one pocket and putting it in the other.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: sian, west wales
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 03:35 PM

I may give it more attention over Easter. I'm off to Edinburgh to speak at the TMSA trad music conference on Sat so apologies to all for this brief reply.

Yes, Carol, I discovered flying early on. First attempt did not end well - I hadn't worked out 'landing'. But I lived to tell the tale. I just wish more newbies worked a bit more on their appearances. It's very clone-ville. I am at least trying to look old, dumpy and grey.

I may venture into the wide world soon(ish). Getting bored on the island. Still confused, but I don't think I'll learn too much more. Might as well take the leap.

I'll add this thread to the Tracer and may need to call on you for help!

sian

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 03:29 PM

Carolc,

I hope to hear you on SL, too. There used to be a room on Paltalk called Accordians of the World, which was lots of fun. I hope such a place is built on SL.

I will look for you there.

dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 03:27 PM

Sian,

Second Life can be a bit overwhelming. I know many of the catters who used to play on Hearme (a private room where only Mudcatters gathered) found paltalk to be too hectic to deal with. I have found some wonderful players there and made some fast friends on Paltalk - people who I have hooked up with in 3D to play music. Ironically, when I first tried SL, I found it to be too "hectic." There seems to be way too much for an old guy like myself to figure out. I gave it a second chance though, and now, while I am not very good at getting around, I am enjoying it more. What I really like is playing and listening to the live music there (key word - live music).

Two nights ago, I had a 30 minute slot at an open mic there. It still surprises me how much it feels like a live real world appearance, although it is not quite the same. I was pleased to hear a player who lives about an hour away - another person to get together with the next time I am in NY City. I also made $24(US) in tips, which even Poppagator may admit is not a bad busking rate....lol.

Coincidentally, there was a lengthy article on SL in the Sunday paper here. A professor of communications was featured along with two other people. He has held some of his classes on SL to expose his students to the form of communication. He has a colleague who teaches a whole course using SL as the delivery vehicle. John Edwards has a campaign office on SL. IBM and Toyota have a strong presence there. Is the animation great?...well no....but it will get better, and I bet in a couple of years SL-type technology will be quite prevalent.

I mentioned before that there is quite a bit of SL content on You Tube. Here is a 40 minute SL interview with ! I will be very surprised if many catters take to sl. But your kids will...no doubt going on SL from their iPod-like device some day.

dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 02:33 PM

Sorry I haven't seen this thread, or looked back into it, for quite a while.

CarolC asked:

Hey, PoppaGator. In what way are your performances "imaginary"?

The performances are real enough ~ it's the conception of myself as a musician (at least, primarily so) that I consider "imaginary."

I once spent almost three solid years performing virtually every waking moment ~ well over 40 hours per week busking on streetcorners, plus as many evenings as possible at basket-houses, open mikes, house parties, whatever. I had hoped that something would develop out of that effort, but nothing ever did, and eventually a number of "real-life" developments intervened and I had to give it up. This was a long time ago: 1969-72.

For many busy years, I hardly kept up playing and singing at all, but have gotten back into it gradually over the last decade or so, to a much less intense extent and with only the most limited expectations. I don't feel at all comfortable calling myself a "musician" in my current circumstances, even though I do have a moderately high level of confidence in my talent and ability. During the relatively brief moments when I'm enjoying myself in the role of performer, I absolutely feel as though I am exercising my imagination ~ which is a good thing, right?

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:11 AM

One little tip about teleporting... you'll want to move a few feet off of the teleporter as soon as you arrive, or someone will very likely land on your head. Then, once you're off the teleporter, you can wait a few moments while everything comes into focus (they call that 'rezzing') before moving to wherever you want to go.

Walking under water is cool. Have you tried flying yet?

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:05 AM

There are quite a few people who are using Second Life for education purposes, including universities, library associations, mental health advocates (there's a sim that gives people a very realistic experience of what it's like to be schizophrenic), and many others.

I think it can certainly be used for what you have in mind, Sian.

Don't get discouraged there on help island. I left that island before I had mastered everything you can learn there, but there are mirror help and orientation islands that you can go back to any time you want. You just click on 'Search' at the bottom of the window, enter 'Help Island' or 'Orientation Island' into the text box, and click on the 'Search' button to the right of the text box. Then highlight 'Help Island - Public' or 'Orientation Island Public', and click on the 'Teleport' button that's down at the bottom of the window.

My understanding about The Sims is that it's more of a role playing game than a virtual reality.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: sian, west wales
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:55 AM

I never thought too much about SL or ilk until you started this thread, Carol. I decided to sign up and have a poke around, mostly because I'm trying to think of ways to interest younger people in trad music, and wonder if this is one tool we're overlooking. So far, most of the people I've discussed this with have laughed and been dismissive, although one did confess that The Sims are his 7 yr old's hobby. (I take it The Sims are something similar for kids?)

Anyway, I'm still on Help Island (call me Cainc) and unlikely to move from there in the near future (walking under water is most interesting - peaceful). It's all a bit much for this old person - I'm still stuck in the 20th century I guess. But that doesn't mean I can afford to ignore it for the future ...

(((sigh))) Old bones ...

From the lack of participants on both sim threads, I think I'm not alone!

sian

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:24 AM

Here's the page for the Scotland sim. They had people performing on pipes, penny whistles, drums, and fiddles on St. Patrick's day.

http://sl-scotland.blogspot.com/

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 06:48 AM

One other thing that Second Life offers people who appreciate good music is the opportunity to hear performances in real time, with good sound quality, by people they might not otherwise be able to hear in that way.

For instance if I wanted to hear dwditty, or my sister's band in real time (with good sound quality), I would have to travel hundreds of miles to their respective parts of the world and see/hear them live. It's just not possible for me to travel to all of the places where people are giving performances that I might like to see/hear.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 11:56 AM

Radriano, I agree, there is nothing that can replace a live audience...and I get out as often as possible to play in 3D - 5-6 times a month. In between, though, playing live to people who are listening live is an enjoyable way for me to fill the spaces in between. It is also something I can do at 10:30 at night, after my day is pretty much done - play to people in real time for an hour or so before bed. So that being said, I invite you to please keep your snotty attitude to yourself. If you don't want to do it, by all means don't.

Thanks,
dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 10:54 AM

Hey, dwditty...

There are some public places where you can have an open mic if you want. I don't know if you need to schedule in advance. I'll look into it and get back to you.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 10:53 AM

radriano, how is playing music into a microphone in a radio station studio significantly different from playing music into a microphone in your living room, if there are people all over the world listening in in both cases? Please enlighten me on that one, because I am confused.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: radriano
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 10:48 AM

Aw, fer Pete's sake. Get off the computer and play some real music.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: dwditty
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 10:45 AM

Carol,

I started another Second Life thread.,.you would think I would know better by now than to not check to see if one was already underway.

I am just learning to get around on Second Life. I have the benefit of knowing about 25 or 30 musicians who have landed there from Paltalk. While there is much there that is not of my taste, as you mention above, there is no denying that the sound quality is amazingly good (128 bit/44.1 - whatever that means but it is cd quality). I have found 5 or 6 venues that book mostly solo acoustic performers, as well as made friends with a few people who have a stream and invite people over to their house to play.

It seems most of the music there is scheduled - eg: CarolC at 7 PM at such and such a place. I am hopping to find or convince someone to set up an open mic venue, where people can drop in and place a few songs. There are a few open mics, and I like those the best. I have been asked to schedule a 90 minute show there will do so soon.

I am dwditty dilweg there if you happen to see me, say hello.

dw

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 04:28 PM

Hey, PoppaGator. In what way are your performances "imaginary"?

The learning curve is a bit steep at the beginning in Second Life, but don't let that stop you if you want to participate there. They have an orientation island and a help island for people who are just starting out, and there are a lot of mentors (including people like me).

My sister has a bar there (Oceanside Bar), and they are also a live music venue for anyone who might be interested. They're not quite so much folk as the other venues I mentioned, more singer/songwriter sort of thing, but they do like to support live music in Second Life. (Live in the same sense that a TV or radio show might be broadcast live.)

Second Life is a lot like the real world in that there are all kinds of things going on. There are a lot of things that I, personally, want no part of (a lot of commercialism, gaming, and sex industry stuff). But there's enough stuff that I like to make me glad I joined. And it is possible to avoid having any contact with the distasteful stuff.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: PoppaGator
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 04:11 PM

I'm enjoying my own kind of "imaginary musician's life" these days by playing a regular monthly one-hour set at a local pass-the-basket venue, something I used to do much more reglarly about 35 years ago. (Back then, I was spending most of my time performing on the street; spending a couple of evenings a week at an indoor venue was sort of a step up in class, but usually a step down in hourly earnings).

On one level, this activity takes place in "real life." i.e., in trealtime in the three-dimensional world, but on another level, it's still pretty imaginary.

During the long interim period, I've kept myself pretty well occupied with various day jobs, raising a family, etc. Now that I'm a grandpa, qand have had a temporary taste of retirement thanks to displacement by Hurricane Katrina, I'm beginning to recultivate some of the nearly-forgotten aspects of my life and my personality.

When I read the words "Second Life" in htis subject header, my first reaction was to think in terms of "second childhood," mid-life crisis, semi-retirement, etc. Well, I guess that just indicates MY frame of mind these days.

Upon further inspection, this online "Second Life" looks pretty interesting. I won't be getting involved personally right away ~ I don't even have a microphone on my computer, nor indeed any kind of recording equipment on- or off-line ~ but it's certainly something to think about.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Dublin sim featured a very eceltic mix of musical styles, not just simon-pure Irish trad. Not that I have any objection to that woinderful traditional music, it's just that I like a wide variety of styles and am glad to see I'm not the only one.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 03:20 PM

Here's the blog for a blues venue in Second Life:

http://houseoftunes.wordpress.com/

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 12:58 PM

Sim means "simulation". In Second Life, a sim is an area of virtual space (land, just at the ground level - under the ground and in the air don't count towards square meters of land, as far as I know). I think it's the amount of virtual space that can be supported by one server, although I could be wrong about that.

Scrump, I'm not qualified to answer that question. I met my husband online, and that's when I actually got something resembling a life.

One thing Second Life can do for musicians is make it possible to have performances that are heard (and in a sense, seen) by people all over the world at the same time. And some performers get paid for their gigs in Second Life.

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 10:55 AM

Does "sim" mean "simulacrum"?

~S~

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: Scrump
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 10:51 AM

Does this mean you can spend all your time on a computer and still have a life? :-)

Subject: RE: Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 09:58 AM

What is a 'sim', please?

Subject: Live Folk Music Venues in Second Life
From: CarolC
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 12:03 AM

So far, I know about Pipers Pub in the Scotland sim, and Blarney Stone in the Dublin sim. Here's a page for the Dublin sim: http://www.dublinsl.com/artists.php. I haven't seen a page for the Scotland sim, although they may have one.

Does anyone know of any other live folk music venues in Second Life?