SLMC

karlov Guisse · Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Right Behind You

So I have seen a lot of performance so far on SL and really enjoyed it.

All of them but one have been solo with acoustic guitars. The other was solo blues with a nice backing track and guitar. I take that back actually as I have seen tribute bands as well but that's another animal.

Anyway I would very much like to perform in SL but I am afraid my brand of music may not be so popular. I am interested in solo performance, but in the metal and metal-ish genre. I'm taking inspiration from several RL one man death metal bands ( although I am not creating that type of music ) who perform and tour the US. They perform to self created backing music, playing guitar and doing vocals live. Very similar to a lot of SL acts I think.
One thing I think that may be unpopular is that I will have to run this more like a DJ or tribute act...Playing my recorded music on the stream. This is due to the fact that I will be unable to perform is 100% live since I am in an APT and can't really turn up that much. Sure I could run the guitars direct but the vocals would be the big problem. I can see SL music crowds not going for this so much even though it is my own original music.
On the other hand it would free me up to move around on stage and be active. I would still use the mic to talk between songs.
So, what say you, forumites? I'd like some opinions on this. I think it could go a couple ways...But I fully expect to play to a lot of empty clubs for a long time lol

DjaiSkjellerup · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 471

You've shown a great attitude in your approach to the forum and your honest feelings about your music Karlov. Unfortunately I fear you will get some flack if you do just play MP3s without at least some live input. I would advise you to work out a way of having something live. You mention that you may be able to do this with the guitar and I would strongly advise you try and do this.

If it proves impossible for you to have a live element to your music then the next best advice I'd give is simply to be up front and clear regarding the fact that the content will not be live. Doing so will minimise any chance of anyone who comes to listen thinking you are trying to hoodwink them into thinking you are playing live. ~Just as a guide, I know of at least one band who played their original music in the way you are proposing. They were pretty clear about the fact they were playing MP3s and they had roughly equal amounts of positive and negative vibes regarding their shows.

But genre will not be a problem....there are plenty of metal fans on the grid.

Good luck Smile

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Gath Gothly · Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Arkansas

Hmmm...

Well lots of people use backing tracks, and some frown on their use. Others like them. There's certainly a purist camp that wants to hear pure live stuff - even a drum machine is a no-no. I guess I'm in that crowd.
But there are plenty that use heavy backing tracks, and sound fantastic.

Regardless, I wouldn't advertise yourself as a live musician if you're doing what amounts to playing CDs. People would certainly frown on that. That's DJing, which is also in high demand.

Anyway... what it boils down to is going to be your setup. In an Apartment, as long as you don't sing really loud, I don't see an issue with playing and singing live. Just don't use an external amp - go with monitor headsets, try to keep the singing down.

Though... can see your point for sure. I'd be thinking my neighbour was nuts if I heard him singing all the time... especially if I couldn't hear the music he was singing to... (What is that whackjob singing now???)

In the end... there's people that will love whatever you play or do. Backing tracks are fine, and a lot of people like them. But you should do something live - even if it's just the guitar. Personally... I'd sing too, but just sing really quiet. Maybe try to do my setup in a small room with blankets on the walls to try to soundproof it a little.

Good luck man - hope to hear ya in-game sometime.

Norris Shepherd · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: Metal anyone?

As long as there is some live component (voice, or guitar, or whatever), I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure you let people know what is live and what is recorded. If there is no 'live' component, I would suggest (my opinion only), to call it a 'simulation', role play, or something under entertainment.

karlov Guisse · Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Right Behind You

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm sure I can at least play guitar live. That shouldn't be a big problem. As far as vocals go I have yet to figure out what I'm gonna do. I'm still in the early stages of writing for this project.
I had thought maybe instrumental but I think some vocals are a big MUST in SL.
It will be a fun challenge for sure Very Happy

ticious · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 2600 Location: Chicago

Johnny99 Gumshoe played an awesome hard rock guitar to tracks at Rocky Shores yesterday and totally blew our doors off (fortunately, Rocky Shores is an outdoor venue). It was a terrific show and was extremely well received by the audience.

Go for it!
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Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1635 Location: None

karlov, finding heavy metal in SL would be right up there with trying to find an honest investment banker. I wish you luck and I hope it's all groovy for you, brother metal man, but rock in SL is like how these days you only see old fat guys on Harleys except I'm not fat and I totalled my Harley.. I play about as loud as anyone and I can clear a venue faster than shouting, "Chris Brown is a personal friend of mine."

See if you can find the Metal Queen, Natasha Leckrone, as she knows hard-core metal. She has/had a pretty huge following as a DJ so you might very well be able to work to complement each other. She plays the kind of metal you're talking about. Doesn't sound like you've heard much of the live electric acts as many are excellent; it's just not the hard-core I think you mean.

Also, don't be thinking someone is a wimp because s/he is playing an acoustic guitar. Many of them release their songs in big' fat electric arrangements and they're great. Talk to KaKlick Martin as doing it that way is his preference but I never asked him why.

Since there isn't anywhere in SL that can hold more people than the average bingo game, it really doesn't make any difference how you play, what you play, or what rules you follow....that's between you and the venue. If it's cool, people will come. You're going to need that mike, tho. You've got to have some patter happening with the audience even if you're doing instrumental tunes. Relating to individuals in the audience directly is one of the biggest parts of an SL gig.
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karlov Guisse · Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Right Behind You

Hey I don't think acoustic stuff is wimpy at all. I love it! What I meant was there is so much of it already, I would rather do something different.

Also, I dunno if I was clear on the fact that even if I do use prerecorded songs, they will NOT be covers. I intend to do original stuff. Well maybe a cover or two for fun, but almost entirely original. I would not be playing mp3s and claiming I was performing them live or playing to premade backing tracks. All music would be done by me.

what was the name of the band that performed with MP3s?

Gath Gothly · Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Arkansas

Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1635 Location: None

Space Junkies does a set with MP3's but I don't know if it's still going on. As I understand it, the show was one member of the band spinning MP3's. There are editorials that go back for years so nothing more to add to that, the point is that the editorials don't seem to have affected them at all.

Nah, I don't think you're trying to slam anyone; neither am I. Keep in mind when you're talking about rock in SL is that it doesn't appear that many have ever been to a rock concert. Seriously, you'll be at a show and someone next to you will be screaming YOU ROCK but you'll be scratching your head wondering if the person is drugged or what. Maybe they're still wondering if Paul was the cutest Beatle, dunno.

Original isn't a big hit in SL as mostly people want acoustic covers or blues but who knows what people really want as most people in SL don't go to live shows. The entire SL music audience is probably a couple of thousand people. Since you'll see over seventy thousand logged on at any time, obviously people in SL either don't know or don't like the music very much. For you, that could mean it's hopeless or there's a huge market that's just waiting for something that really rocks. Could break either way, no telling.

Places that definitely support originals in a big way are Merry Pranksters, Sunshine Daydream and Red Palms. Some of it sucks and some of it's great but for me that's what's cool about original. I tell you this as few, if any, of the people who run those venues come to this forum. To really find out what's going on in there, you'll need to explore.

Talk to Circe Broom as you don't really pass until she will stage you. You're good when she says you're good but she's cool and she's really put her own blood into SL music for a long, long time. She's also dead loyal and friendship with her is a blood brothers kind of thing. For others, it's a convenience that's just as easily withdrawn as it is extended. Be careful of that as, ABOVE ALL, Second Life is still a game. Lose sight of that and you're headed down a wormhole, bro.
_________________
Silas Scarborough
Silas World Tour Blog
Find a place to play and I'll roll the P.A. anywhere
If you want to play, bring yer guitar