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Tara Linden

Gabriel da Silva 2 (1).jpg

(photo courtesy of Gabriel Nyoki)

 

Bringing us hard rock from Porto, Portugal, this week's featured artist is Gabryel Nyoki, who comes from generations of musicians. His foray into playing music started with playing covers until he amassed a loyal following, who then asked to hear more of his original songs. He is now creating and recording music as part of a power-trio and has gone on RL tours in the UK and Europe!

He has an abundance of online sources to hear his music:

Official website: www.gabrieldasilvamusic.com

VEVO

YouTube

 


Q: When and how did you hear about Second Life?
A: A magazine around 2007. I only joined later when I bought a faster computer.

Q: Your bio on your website says that you come from a family of musicians. Are there any similarities between your musical style and theirs?
A: My father's father built and played almost all instruments all by himself. Most of my family, my uncles, aunts, and cousins play and sing a variety of genres, but not rock.
My father was dedicated to electric guitar so eventually I dedicated myself to hard rock, my favorite, although I have over 3,000 gigs in different genres and instruments.

Q: Your music is incredibly polished and well-produced. It's clear that you've been honing your craft for a while. Could you tell us about the brands/models of instruments you use and why you prefer them?
A: What I use is humble, I am an electronics and IT engineer and experienced a long curve of courses both in music theory and music production, bringing the best I can out of each to my own flavor.
I have two electric guitars, a steel acoustic, a nylon acoustic, one rock bass guitar, two Yamaha keyboards, a vintage drum set, and I invest a lot in the digital audio world inside Apple products.
My main guitar and the one heard in my latest album is actually a PRS made of paper!

Q: You've signed with an agency and have toured in the UK and Europe. Did you have to cancel any real world shows due to COVID? And has the pandemic affected your ability to practice with your band members?
A: Yes and yes. All plans were canceled.
 
Q: You hail from Porto, Portugal. Do you feel that Portuguese rock has any characteristics that differ from rock music in other cultures?
A: In some genres yes, not in rock, no. And my music is 99% in English as we tour in different continents and not specifically for Portuguese people. Portuguese people enjoy international rock a lot!

Q: What is the most meaningful aspect of the SL music community to you?
A: Being able to connect directly with different people around the globe so fast.
I share and learn so much, and that is priceless. Everyday I extend my fan base through rock fans around the globe with Second Life, and I love delivering them good vibes and entertainment. We have over 10k fans in SL.

Please take a look at his calendar for upcoming Second Life concerts. He suggests the Solarwinds Music Concert as it is moderate.

More of his content can be found here:

Facebook SL

Facebook RL

Music video

Flickr SL

Twitter: @gabrieldamusic

Instagram: gabrieldasilvamusic

Thank you, Gabryel! 

 

If you or someone you know would like to submit content for Music Mondays, please fill out this form.

 

 

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: Archipelago

Each week, the Second Life Destination Guide editorial team reviews dozens of new locations and events worth exploring. With all those beautiful destinations to check out, we thought we’d highlight a few of the entries that stood out to the editorial team.

 

A new real-world destination is opening up their virtual location in Second Life tomorrow. The Peale is a purpose-built museum building in Baltimore. Join us at The Peale’s Founder’s Day Virtual Open House in SecondLife on Saturday, August 15th starting at 8am PT/SLT. You can also watch it on our YouTube live stream.   

 

And now, here are some beautiful new additions to Editors' Picks this week:

 

 

 

Check out these new galleries and exhibitions:

 

 

 

 

Finally, here are some other awesome events happening this weekend:

 

 

 

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form.

Connect with Second Life on Social Media:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr | Pinterest | Tumblr | Plurk | TikTok | Reddit | LinkedIn

Tara Linden

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(photo taken at Astral Dreams)

One of Second Life’s role-playing communities involves steampunk fandom. For those unfamiliar with the term, steampunk is a genre of science fiction/science fantasy that takes place during the era of steam power (usually the British Victorian era or the American “Wild West”) in which the fashion, technology, and physical settings are influenced by designs from the future. The aesthetic can be anachronistic, containing futuristic elements that are set in the past, or retrofuturistic, where the design is inspired by depictions of the future made in an earlier period.

Residents can visit a number of steampunk regions to be immersed in a wondrous mixture of time and imagine what might have been. The decor often contains a sense of whimsy and magic, with polished brass, plenty of iron, and wood. Leather clothing is quite common, as are clocks/watches with visible gears and thick goggles to protect your eyes while flying airships or welding.

The marketplace has tons of incredibly creative steampunk items, from tophats to Victorian furniture. You can also take inspiration from notable steampunk films, such as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and The City of Lost Children.

For those who just want to see what others are up to before diving in, check out this chat on the forum. Steampunk is an easy style to experiment with, since the accessories are so distinct. You can start out with a monocle and a watch on a gold chain and take it from there!

Orion.jpg(

(An example of a steampunk setting, photo by Orion)

Strawberry Linden

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“Lab Gab” is a live-streamed variety show that showcases events, destinations, and different talents across Second Life. 

Join our host, Strawberry Linden, as she speaks with the team that helped to bring the Peale in Baltimore into Second Life. The Peale, which is housed in the first purpose-built museum building in the United States, debuts later this week. Joining us on “Lab Gab” will be Nancy Proctor, the Director of the Peale in Baltimore, David London, the Peale’s Chief Experience Officer, and Eme Capalini from Virtual Ability.

Tune in on Friday, August 14th at 11am PT/SLT. Watch us live on YouTube, Facebook, or Periscope!

For full episodes of Lab Gab, click over to the Lab Gab YouTube Playlist.

Linden Lab

A whimsical and surreal adventure awaits any curious traveler who arrives at Wonderland.

Creators Nips and Lucifer Alpha compressed a stunning amount of detail into a relatively small region, with Nips describing their  stylistic goals as “vivid colors, dense, lush landscaping, and splashes of inexplicable whimsy.”

This quality over quantity approach to space has fostered a disarming vibe conducive to intimacy, with many Residents staying for hours and often coming back with friends. It’s like they distilled the allure of a trendy coffeeshop and the serenity of a sculpture garden; Wonderland embraces the spectacular while deftly omitting any source of intimidation.

 Part of what makes Wonderland’s environment so welcoming is a great balance of open space and shelter under luminous trees, tall mushrooms, or other fanciful structures. In fact, Nips says that the many romantic nooks are quickly becoming popular date spots for couples.

Exploration of the sky above will lead to many photogenic floating islands with varying themes, and keep an eye out for a flying whale! Wonderland has some humorous details as well, with Easter eggs from beloved films like Hook, Shrek, and maybe more for meticulous observers.

In keeping with SL’s sense of community, Wonderland’s creation was a hugely collaborative effort, with Nips and Lucifer Alpha sourcing content from some of the best creators and artists in SL. They would like to express gratitude to LOVE, HPMD, Boudoir, Bryn Oh, Mistero Hifeng, and Curio Obscura for helping to make the place what it is. 

Whether you have just a moment or all the time in the world, stopping by Wonderland is an absolute must.

 

Credits:

Video Production: Draxtor Despres

Tara Linden

Suzen Juel MM.jpg

(Photo courtesy of Juel Resistance)

This week’s featured artist is Juel Resistance (you may know her as Suzen Juel), whose creative output consists of soulful music as well as dreamy visual art.

Please visit her Spotify and this awesome RL video of her playing music. We hope you check out her calendar to catch her live inword!

She posts some amazing photos in a variety of styles on Flickr, and more information can be found on her website. If you’d like to experience some of her artwork inworld, head on over to Altered.

 

Q: When and how did you hear about Second Life?
A: I was playing an online game with a friend called The Sims Online. He told me to check out Second Life, so I did. I created Juel Edison and explored the vast spaces and just couldn't figure out what to make of it.  While I was exploring I met another friend that I kept in touch with and eventually I just lost interest. In 2005 my SL friend said, “JUEL, COME BACK, there is live music in SL now!” I told him he was full of s*** haaa, and I came back as… well, me.


Q: What instruments do you play, and how did you first become interested in music?
A: I had a thing for the organ at my grandma's house when I was about 4ish. It had all those fun bossa nova, samba, cymbals sounds, so I'd putz around on it, playing what I would hear on the radio. Mom would sometimes play it with me, she had taken lessons when she was young.  I lost interest… at about 13 I found a guitar in my grandparents’ attic, a tiny one. I ran downstairs: “PAPA!” He smiled and said, “I made that the year you were born, it's yours… go play it!” I loved that guitar and I was going to learn it… so I got some books and taught myself for a while, eventually taking lessons until my guitar teacher asked me to sing and play “Delta Dawn.” I slowly packed up my little guitar, walked home, and never went back. I was mortified. SING? I'm NOT going to SING in FRONT of YOU! OMG! That was that.  I really haven't put it down since. I also have a ukulele that I love, but I don't really play it as much. I dabble around on harmonica and also have my mom's banjo, which I would like to learn as well. Oh, and I whistle, that's important too!


Q: The painter Wassily Kandinsky was known to experience synesthesia and expressed hearing music as he painted, associating colors with distinct musical notes. As a visual artist, do you ever feel that your paintings are informed by your music, or vice versa?
A: It's interesting that you bring up this question! When I was a preteen or so, I would listen to music, what kid didn't, right? My mom had come into my room and asked what I was doing. So I said without hesitation, "I'm drawing the sounds: this is the bass, this is the drum, this is the guitar," She just said, “Ok… interesting.” I didn't find out until many years later that this is synesthesia. It has had a profound impact on my art and music. I often paint in what I'm seeing or hearing from music with a good bass line, like trip hop. It's full of vibrant imagination to me.
My own music doesn't really make me see colors, more shapes...closing my eyes when I perform is like a putting up the big screen theater, haha.


Q: While there have been many incredible female Blues and Americana figures, the mainstream image of the "greats" of these genres is predominantly men. Please share some underrated female musicians that you feel we should know about.
A: I'm a sucker for female songwriters. Lucinda Williams tells some soulful stories in her lyrics. She's relatable, she gets it. Holly Williams. Mary Gauthier. Rory Block. Beth Hart. They all have serious soul, edge, and guts.


Q: A huge obstacle to gender equality in the arts is the notion that many see female/non-binary experiences as only interesting to them, but male experiences as universal. Do you try to make your work universally appealing, or do you aim for a niche audience?
A: I do quirky little cartoon drawings called 'inkies.' They can have curly hair or long hair and they always have a shirt on. Someone once asked why they are all female and I said, “Nooo, they aren't, they are gender neutral.” And as I'm grinning, I realized  that no one has ever questioned this before in my inkies. As far as music goes, I write what I write and hope someone else finds it relatable, I hope someone feels something. I hope people find a little release, be it funny or sad or any other emotion. I tend not to create things to be universally appealing, it's quite personal and very much a niche audience.


Q: What is the most meaningful aspect of the SL music community to you?
A: That we are a global community all in one little world called Second Life. We are music and art driven, we support each other with all the unique gifts we have. It's a great community that I fall more and more in love with every time.
 
Thank you, Juel. Keep it up!

 

Strawberry Linden

Monsters by Cica Ghost.jpg
Pictured: Monsters by Cica Ghost

Each week, the Second Life Destination Guide editorial team reviews dozens of new locations and events worth exploring. With all those beautiful destinations to check out, we thought we’d highlight a few of the entries that stood out to the editorial team.

Here are this week's beautiful additions to Editors' Picks:

 

 

 

 

 

Check out these beautiful regions perfect for role-play:

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, a shopping experience you don't want to miss!

 

 

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form.

Connect with Second Life on Social Media:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr | Pinterest | Tumblr | Plurk | TikTok | Reddit | LinkedIn

Strawberry Linden

LabGab-Episode32-YouTube.jpg

“Lab Gab” is a live-streamed variety show that showcases events, destinations, and different talents across Second Life. 

Join our host, Strawberry Linden, as she speaks with the founder of Second Life and co-Founder of High Fidelity, Philip Rosedale! Strawberry will be asking Philip questions about the origins of Second Life, what he’s up to now, and what he sees in the future for virtual worlds.

Tune in on Friday, August 7th at 10:30am PT/SLT. Watch us live on YouTube, Facebook, or Periscope!

For full episodes of Lab Gab, click over to the Lab Gab YouTube Playlist. 

Tara Linden

Nina Setner.jpg

(Photo courtesy of Nina Setner)

This week’s featured artist is Nina Setner, an incredibly talented singer with a broad range: jazz, cabaret, vintage and current pop/R&B, musical theater, and opera. She is a lifelong lover of music and has studied vocal performance in university, record stores, and beyond.

Her music can be found on her YouTube channel, as well as SoundCloud.

Q: When and how did you find out about Second Life?
 
A: I'm an oldie in SL--I'm coming up on my 13th rez day this October, which seems particularly insane to me. Back in 2007, my life changed radically because I'd had my first child earlier that year. Going out with the girls had been replaced with staying home with the baby, so all of a sudden I found myself without much of a social outlet. One night we happened to be watching a now ancient episode of CSI with a storyline in which SL featured, I was intrigued, and here I am--though to be fair, I would say that in addition to the life-changing relationships I've made along the way, it's the music first and foremost that has kept me here. It has always been my touchstone, in both lives. 
 
Q: You sing in a wide variety of styles, two of which are jazz and cabaret. For people unfamiliar with these genres, how would you describe the difference? 
 
A: Oh wow, great question--I'll do my best! In the simplest terms possible, jazz is a musical style, and cabaret is a performance style. Jazz requires a lot of imagination and willingness to experiment and be fluid with rhythm, time signature, melody--but often within a pretty strict framework. In order to excel at it, I think you have to be brave and give into the process. You can't scat sing or improvise 8 bars timidly--you have to go in with your whole heart. Cabaret on the other hand is a more intimate performance setting, as opposed to a larger theater or arena, etc. It can be free form (on the piano bar end) or it can be scripted ahead of time in a more formal cabaret club, but in both settings, singers are enjoying a rapport and a connection with their audience, either by telling them a story through songs they've chosen ahead of time or engaging with them off the cuff. Cabaret singers commit hundreds--thousands, actually--of songs to memory, because in a setting like that, you need to be ready and able to sing requests from multiple genres, jazz certainly being one of them. 
 
Q: You mentioned that you are a mother. How do you balance your creative outlets with raising kids, and do they like music as well? 
 
A: I was a regular in the club circuit here in Chicagoland where I reside in the days before I had my kids.  When I stumbled into SL, I had NO clue about the live music community or potential opportunity to continue performing at a high level, but thankfully I found out pretty quickly.  While they were little, I had to keep my schedule incredibly light--one, maybe two shows a week tops.  As they've gotten older and can entertain themselves for an hour (though everyone who follows me regularly has heard my kids in the background *far* more often than I'd like over the years!), I've been able to increase that show load. My kids are young  musicians as well, but neither of them enjoy singing. Apparently they're “too shy.”  I keep hoping that'll magically change one day.  Fingers crossed!
 
Q: When books are adapted into films, there are always purists who say the source material was better. Has there been a film adaptation of a musical that you feel should only be experienced live in the theater?
 
A: Another fantastic question. I think musicals that are more on the visual spectacle end--for example, The Lion King--I think that those are best appreciated live and in person. It's difficult to transfer the director's vision to the screen in those circumstances. I'm also a bit of a Sondheim fanatic/purist, so while I've been really happy to see his work getting the wide exposure and recognition it deserves through film adaptations of Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd, nothing takes the place of seeing Sondheim done as Sondheim intended. On the flip side, some musicals transfer brilliantly--the film version of West Side Story is still, for me, the one to beat.  I have yet to see a live performance of it (or any other movie musical) that I liked more. 
 
Q: Did you study music or are you self-trained?
 
A: At this point, it feels like I've been studying it my whole  life. I started playing piano as a young kid and added voice lessons to the mix during my early teen years. Those piano lessons really helped shape my ear and broaden my repertoire beyond what I even understood at the time (I was playing Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" and songs like it back in high school out of random piano collections I'd pick up at the local music store--who knew I'd still be singing those songs 30 years later?) I did study music in college--I went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and hold degrees in both choral music education and vocal performance, and I'm still studying today--that never stops!
 
Q: What is the most meaningful aspect of the SL music community to you?
 
A: So, so many things. What SL and the music community in particular have added to my life and work as a musician is sort of incalculable. But I think reaching out over thousands of miles, making those connections and sharing your art and your passion with people you never would have had the opportunity to meet otherwise? I think that's pretty damn special. I hope we're here for years to come.


 
Thank you so much, Nina!
 
Don’t forget to check out her calendar for upcoming performances, and her group in SL.
 
 
If you or someone you know would like to sign up to be featured in Music Mondays, please fill out this form. For more information, take a look at our official announcement.

Linden Lab

Zenescope Preview-06 (1).jpg

Welcome to Second Life, Zenescope fans! If you are new to Second Life, read on for some quick tips and tricks to help you get started...

SECOND LIFE BASICS

Do I need a Second Life account to enter the Zenescope Metaverse?
Yes. If you are not already a member of Second Life, then sign up for free!

I am already a Second Life member. Do I need to sign up again?
No. You can use your existing Second Life account to participate!

What is Second Life?
Second Life is the Internet’s largest user-created virtual world already experienced by millions of people across the world. Participants can use text and voice chat to socialize, explore, and create together across thousands of unique virtual world experiences and communities. Almost everything you see in Second Life was created by the community! 

How do I get Second Life? Is it safe to download?
Second Life can be downloaded and installed on a PC, Mac or Linux. Once you register, you will automatically be prompted to download the Second Life Viewer. You can also manually download the Viewer directly from the official Second Life website.

Installing Second Life is safe and secure -- it does not contain any malware. 

Does Second Life work on a mobile device or tablet?
Not officially. While there are some experimental third party Viewers, attendees of this event are strongly encouraged to use a desktop-based Viewer.

Are there any tutorial videos for getting started?
Yes! Check out our New User Video Tutorials on YouTube for tips on customizing your avatar and getting started in Second Life. These are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Turkish, and Polish.

How do I change my look?

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The fastest way to change your look in Second Life is via the avatar button. A pop up will appear with several new looks to choose from. Just click any look to instantly transform your avatar. You can watch this tutorial to see how it works.

Feeling more ambitious? You can craft an even more complex avatar if you want to spend a bit of time and money. YouTube has several tutorials that can help. You can also shop for a complete avatar on the Second Life Marketplace.

How do I buy things or get Linden Dollars (virtual currency)?

Learn the basics of shopping and buying Linden Dollars in this video tutorial.

How do I talk to other people in Second Life?
For many locations, voice chat is disabled but you can chat with text either privately or publicly to other attendees. To chat, select the "Chat" button at the bottom of your Viewer. A pop-up will appear where you can type in your text chat. If voice is enabled, then you can hit the "Speak" button to talk verbally to others in your immediate vicinity.

How do I control the volume within Second Life?
In the Second Life Viewer, look for the speaker icon in the upper right and hover your mouse over it to expand to a pop-up selector that allows you to change the volume on various audio sources in Second Life. 

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How do I take a picture in Second Life?
Taking pictures in Second Life is simple! Just click the snapshot button in the Second Life Viewer and then save. Don’t forget to share your favorite snapshots with your friends!

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How do I explore more in Second Life?

In addition to the special Zenescope Metaverse area, Second Life is a huge virtual world filled with both public and private experiences including virtual nightclubs, fashion events, art exhibitions, social hangout spots, and much more. Check out the Destination Guide to see a directory of thousands of places. Once you see a virtual world destination you like, you can visit it “inworld” (inside Second Life). 

EXPLORING THE ZENESCOPE METAVERSE

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How do I visit the Zenescope Metaverse -- or any location in Second Life?
Assuming you have already downloaded, installed, and logged in to Second Life then you should be ready to go! 

Once you are logged in, click this link in a separate web browser to get a "Map" that shows the location of the Zenescope Metaverse in the overall virtual world. On this page, select  “Visit this Location”

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Once you click on "Visit this location" from the map, your Second Life Viewer will auto-launch and a pop-up “Place Profile” window will appear inside your Viewer - Select the “Teleport” button to travel to your new destination.

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During your teleport, you will see an interstitial screen that looks something like this:

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After the teleport is complete, you should be at your new destination! It is time to explore!

What is there to do in the Zenescope Metaverse?

There's lots to do here, including games, shopping, chatting...and even a quest. Challenge your friends to a game of Goblin Golf to win trophies. Visit the Hedge Maze and try to find your way out of a massive labyrinth. Embark upon an adventurous quest to score a special prize. Shop for limited-edition collectibles inspired by the heroes, villains, and countless characters you love from the Zenescope universe. There's also several secrets to discover throughout the region - will you discover them all?

TROUBLESHOOTING

My web browser or computer is asking me to grant permission to open and/or run Second Life. Should I accept?

Yes! Some web browsers may give you a popup asking for permission to either install of open the Second Life application. If so,  please accept to proceed. Second Life is safe and malware-free.

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My teleport is not working! What do I do?
Sometimes a teleport fails if the destination is offline, private, and/or already at full capacity. If so, you will see a message like this:

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In the case of a high-demand location with limited capacity, there is a good chance that the event is already at its maximum attendance.

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If this is the case, then you can keep trying to teleport to the location. Once space opens up at the location, you should be able to teleport successfully. 

Please note that some events and locations are popular once they initially open up to the public - so keep trying if you can’t get in on your first try!

Someone is harassing me! How do I get them to stop?
You can block anyone by simply right-clicking on any avatar and then select “Block.” 

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You can also block them by selecting their name in the chatbox and right-clicking to select “Block Voice” or “Block Text.”

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You can also report abuse inside the Viewer. See this video to learn more.

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: Shark Week Fest at LeLoo's World

Each week, the Second Life Destination Guide editorial team reviews dozens of new locations and events worth exploring. With all those beautiful destinations to check out, we thought we’d highlight a few of the entries that stood out to the editorial team.

First, we'd like to tell you about two new categories we've added to the Destination Guide:

Now, discover some beautiful, fun, and interesting new regions and art exhibits!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form.

Connect with Second Life on Social Media:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr | Pinterest | Tumblr | Plurk | TikTok | Reddit | LinkedIn

Tara Linden

A couple weeks ago I wrote about Dancing in Second Life, and I wanted to elaborate on something I had mentioned: animation overrides. This is a scripted attachment that changes the manner in which your avatar’s body moves. Like most things in SL, they are created by Residents and the marketplace has a multitude of styles if you’d like to add a little oomph to the way you walk, jump, stand, etc.

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(Photo by Catloafs)

You can get a set of animations or even a single gesture if you’re looking for something very specific. There are AOs made for females, males, and some are unisex. Some basic AO sets come with dances as well, which you can try out using the HUD. Swim like a mermaid, strut without a care in the world, or bellydance on a colorful Oriental rug. I even saw an AO that replicated the final dance scene in Dirty Dancing, so there is certainly no shortage of options. The animations category of the Destination Guide has many great shops in which you can demo different styles before purchasing.

It’s important to note that certain situations, like pose balls or sitting on furniture, will require you to turn off your AO to function properly. This script will make that automatic, if you prefer. Since most Bento heads come with a selection of facial expressions, you can decide if you want an AO for the entire body or from the neck down. If you don’t know where to start, a tutorial should make the variety of animations a little more approachable. Our bodies are such a huge part of how we express ourselves in RL, so why not extend that element to your presence inworld?

If you have a photo or video of yourself being particularly lively, silly, sleepy, etc., submit it to our Flickr!

Linden Lab

Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human traits, emotions, and cognitive abilities to non-human entities, has appeared in art and storytelling in various cultures throughout history. As a vehicle for the expression of self in three-dimensional form, it comes as no surprise that Second Life has established itself as the most diverse universe for Anthropomorphic Residents to congregate and celebrate their diversity.

 

Luskwood, a popular treehouse-themed region founded by Eltee Statosky, was one of the first places to become an Anthro hotspot and has inspired many others, as well as the Anthro avatar design company of the same name.

Lincesa Pawpad and her friend Craftish created Sudden Stop Furry Sandbox to provide a friendly place for discussion and recreation, and the low lag makes this a great place to create and share builds. A peaceful environment is maintained by strict rules against griefing and harassment (moderators are on call to step in should a conflict arise) so that Anthropomorphic Residents from all backgrounds can hang out as authentic extensions of themselves.

Don’t worry if you have trouble entering this region: Sudden Stop is a homestead, meaning it can only hold 25 people at once, 5 of which must be premium. However, it is definitely worth a potential wait. Lincesa Pawpad says of Sudden Stop: “I consider and treat Sudden stop like it’s my home, but it is open to the public for people to use and hang out at.”

Also called Furries as an umbrella term for this diverse community, Anthro personas can appear as real life animals, extant or extinct, or take a cue from mythology or imagination. Just like human avatars, their personal style can adopt themes from other role-playing communities, like Goth or Fantasy. Ritzu Clawtooth aptly calls them “walking art,” and Sudden Stop is proud to bring people together in the liberated form of non-traditional representations.

Check out the awesome Anthro Avatars available today if you’d like to visit a Furry friendly region, although everyone is welcome.

Tara Linden

This week’s featured musical artist is Komuso Tokugawa, whose work defies easy categorization. His style has evolved over many years of studying music to the molecular level and is also deeply informed by his travels and different cultures.

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(Photo Courtesy of Komuso Tokugawa)

 

Q: When and how did you discover Second Life?

A: In 2005 I was in Australia researching game based learning and heard about SL. At the time they didn't allow international signups. Eventually they opened it up and I signed up. I quickly discovered there were a handful of musicians live streaming into SL and that sounded interesting (literally!) so I got to work (with the help of some great SL collaborators) and started jamming too. There are a few of those original musicians still jamming in SL too!

 

Q: You describe your music as Bitstream Boogie and Bluestronica. For those not familiar with these terms, could you please describe them?

A: I have a lot of musical interests, and I like doing mashups of different genres to create new hybrid musical genres to go with my experiments into new sounds and instruments. Bitstream Boogie I'd describe as a mix of groove-based Mississippi Hill country blues blended with world music roots rhythms and sonic experimentation around a core of blues tone. Bluestronica is a mix of electronica grooves with electric blues. I've also done a lot of ambient music work.

 

Q: What drew you to these genres? Any albums you would suggest?

A: Great question! If I had to describe my style in a short sentence I’d say it’s all about Groove, Tone, and Story. The groove is the heartbeat of the song, the tone is the emotion expressed through instruments/voice, and the story is the composition and arrangement flow that takes the listener on a journey. Any music that has those three elements captures my mind, body, and spirit.

There are so many great influences but to pick a few: 

-Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder - Talking Timbuktu

-Morcheeba - Who can you Trust?

-Younger Brother: A Flock of Bleeps

-Atomic Skunk & Bluetech - anything by them

-The Blues Roots: Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Hound Dog Taylor, Etta James, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and so many more.

 

Q: What instruments do you play, and how did you start playing music?

I sing and play slide guitar mainly (with a dose of finger style and pick), harmonica (mainly in a rack), Shakuhachi, and electronics of different types via different control interfaces. I developed a dynamically controlled AI rhythm section as backing for playing online in SL.

My parents had an extensive record collection so I grew up listening to a lot of jazz and big band music. Then one night I was trawling the airwaves on my radio (a device we had back pre-internet days) and out of the static came this sound I'd never heard before - the crying sound of a blues harmonica and it captivated me with the emotion. I'd found the weekly blues show from a university radio station, and I was off on a musical discovery journey.

I'm mainly self taught but I've since done a music master’s degree. My experience being a self taught musician has also been behind my development of music education apps like https://harpninja.com/. I'm currently in the alpha testing stage of a new web app I'm developing to help musicians practice more efficiently and effectively.

 

Q: Your music draws from musical styles found all over the world. How did you learn about these?

A: A big part of it was the uni radio station I mentioned before, they had specialist shows of different genres you never typically heard: African, folk, world music, etc. When I went to uni there I volunteered for graveyard announcer shifts and spent them exploring their eclectic album library. Since then I've lived all over the world (now in Tokyo) and have explored many musical cultures.

 

Q: What aspects of the SL music community are the most meaningful to you?

A: SL music has always been the "killer app" of SL to me due to its effectiveness in bringing diverse people together to create long term virtual relationships through the high bandwidth emotional channel of live music. 

Some examples:

-Venue owners like Dr. John Kane, owner of Dr. John's Music Park (and also a great musician!), where I've been performing a weekly gig every Friday night since 2013.  There's been a bunch of other great venue owners and promoters over the years (RIP Circe Broom).

-Real time music jams/collaborations with other musicians, like fellow SL musicians Hathead Rickenbacker, Noma Falta, and others. An example of one real time networked live music event in a custom juke joint set I made, filmed by the late great SL Machinima artist Osprey Therian (RIP).

-The audience relationships. I'm forever grateful to anyone who's willing to listen to my musical experiments, and happy it can help soothe their soul. It's as much musical therapy for me as it is for the audience. Many of them are long-time SL'ers who I've never met in real life but we come together via SL to have a high touch emotional connection experience via live music. 

-One of my audience wrote this about me which I think describes my style best: “Komuso Tokugawa’s approach to the blues is unique. The rough-around-the-edges sound is often described as ‘dirty’, ‘grungy’ or ‘alternative.’ Highly experimental, Komuso takes influences from world music and wraps them around the emotionally charged blues core to create his sound.”

 

Please check out his music below!

 

Websites

https://komuso.info/

https://sonicviz.com/

 

Audio Links

SoundCloud

https://hearthis.at/sonicviz/

 

Videos

https://komuso.info/category/videos/

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: Wonderland

Each week, the Second Life Destination Guide editorial team reviews dozens of new locations and events worth exploring. With all those beautiful destinations to check out, we thought we’d highlight a few of the entries that stood out to the editorial team.

First, here are some incredible new additions to our Editors' Picks this week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now check out these informative and artistic new exhibits!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, some important events you don't want to miss!

 

The following two events are happening today!

 

Join us for the STOMOL Live Video Screening Event today at 3pm!

 

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form.

Connect with Second Life on Social Media:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr | Pinterest | Tumblr | Plurk | TikTok | Reddit | LinkedIn

Tara Linden

With countless regions, parties, activities, and ways to modify your appearance, it’s safe to say that there’s always something to do in Second Life. However, it’s understandable that one might feel stuck or overwhelmed by all the choices. I don’t think I’m the only one who gets anxiety from spending 30 minutes on Netflix trying to decide what to watch.

Luckily, there is a vast selection of topics under discussion in our community forums to help guide you through those moments.

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New Residents might have trouble looking for a specific item in the marketplace, finding the avatar that’s right for them, or understanding SL terminology that feels very natural to long term Residents. I definitely thought they were talking about cupcakes the first time I saw the term Bakes on Mesh.

The main sections are People, Places and Events, Creation, Technology, Commerce, Land, and International. They cover just about everything you could imagine: machinima, land rentals, relationships, etc. For miscellaneous and support related questions, you can always go to the Answers section. And the best part is this discussion involves other Residents, all of whom were newbies at one point.

I love that there is a Missed Connections section. SL is such a great place to meet people, but sometimes things get in the way the first time around and this is a great way to get a second chance at reaching out to someone. The forums are like an encyclopedia of Second Life information for those “What in the virtual world is going on?” moments, and I encourage everybody to check them out!

Strawberry Linden

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“Lab Gab” is a live-streamed variety show that showcases events, destinations, and different talents across Second Life. 

Join our host, Strawberry Linden, as she speaks with Alesia (AlesiaPM) and Ron (RCArchitect), the team behind VRazeTheBar.com, which is in partnership with Gen Con, and bringing the largest and longest-running gaming convention into Second Life!

Tune in on Friday, July 24th at 11am PT/SLT. Watch us live on YouTube, Facebook, or Periscope!

For full episodes of Lab Gab, click over to the Lab Gab YouTube Playlist. 

Linden Lab

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You are invited to an exclusive inworld screening of STÖMOL, a new feature-length sci-fi thriller completely shot in Second Life! 

Watch together with the creators of the film and alongside other members of the SL community during this special live video screening event, held this Friday, July 24 at 3 p.m. SLT at the four-region Town Hall Island. There will also be a special Q&A with the creators prior to the show and seating is limited to the first 200 attendees - so we recommend that you get there early! 

There’s already been some early pre-release community buzz building about STÖMOL in New World Notes, Living in A Modem World and other Second Life blogs. This special screening requires use of the latest release version of the Official Second Life Viewer, which enables content creators and entertainment companies to broadcast live video events to virtual world audiences. 

The film is written, directed and filmed by Huckleberry Hax, who has been a resident of Second Life since 2007. Hax has also written a number of novels set in Second Life or other virtual worlds (his most popular is the ‘AFK’ series). The film features Hax as protagonist Epi Stömol (and also The Eye), Caitlin Tobias as Waarheid, Ylva as Verity Certain, Mich Michabo as The Quill, Boudicca Amat as Istinito and Anthony Wesburn as Adevarul.

For more details about STÖMOL, visit its official website or Facebook page. You can also watch an interview with Hax and Tobias on the most recent episode of “Lab Gab.”

Linden Lab

Experience the timeless beauty of the beaches along the Baja Coast in this serene archipelago comprising the three regions Baja Norte, Baja Isles, and Baja Bay.

Baja Coast was inspired by the white sands, desert flora, and surf culture of the real life coast that runs along Mexico’s western peninsula. The aesthetic of its natural environment has made it a very popular spot for ecotourists interested in enjoying a tranquil paradise in a sustainable way.

Designer Lauren Bentham, also known for her dark places like “Everwinter,” shows her creative versatility with this sunny and relaxing spot dappled with succulents and palm trees. Hidden nooks provide spaces for a romantic moment or focused solitude, and food trucks can be the meeting point for cheersing coconut drinks with friends.

Grab a couple swimsuits for your photo shoot along the water, you’re going to want to stay at this dreamy beach for a while. Sit back and unwind today with a visit to Baja Coast.

 

Tara Linden

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This week on “Music Mondays,” we are featuring Novel Popinjay, a Second Life veteran who creates rap and hip hop tracks that encompass a broad range of moods and tones. His music is perfect for a long summer drive, with some songs being smooth and dreamy and others infused with an upbeat tempo and lyrics laced with confident and candid expression. He is adept at sampling snippets of dialogue and speeches that make it easy for listeners to visualize each detailed moment. 

Definitely check out his SoundCloud and music video to experience it for yourself! 

Q: When and how did you discover Second Life?

A: It's been so many years, I don't even remember how I got on here. I’m 14 years on SL.

Q: You described your music as rap, trap, and hip hop. For those unfamiliar with these genres, rap and hip hop are often seen as interchangeable. In your words, how would you distinguish them as two unique categories?

A: I feel rappers more so want the fame and money, and hip-hop is more so emcees and they love the craft. I feel like I possess both hats. I love the craft and I also have that flashy trendy vibe with my music.

Q: How did you first get involved in making music, and what instruments and/or programs do you use?

A: I record in ProTools. I mix and master my music as well as my artist’s music. I co own a record label with ym hollies called Hoolyville Records. Hoolyville Records consists of 10 artists.

Q: Tell us about the musicians that have been the most influential to you.

A: Sade, Tony Tony Tone, Papoose, Eminem, TI, Donell Jones, R. Kelly, 2Pac, Biggie Smalls, and Big L, in no specific order. I love all genres of music actually and have no favorites. I appreciate different styles for different moods.

Q: What aspects of the SL music community are the most meaningful to you?

A: Live performances, urban DJs and strip clubs. Also shout out to the brothers Kappa Theta Phi!!!

Q: What advice would you give to a young musician who is just starting out?

A: Take your craft seriously, be consistent, humble, hungry, and professional.

 

Thank you so much for sharing, Novel Popinjay! We look forward to hearing your voice continue to evolve and flourish.

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: Endless 58-58N

Each week, the Second Life Destination Guide editorial team reviews dozens of new locations and events worth exploring. With all those beautiful destinations to check out, we thought we’d highlight a few of the entries that stood out to the editorial team.

A new literary event coming this Monday at the Second Life Book Club venue!

 

A new art installation by Second Life artist, Bryn Oh!

 

 

 

 

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form.

Connect with Second Life on Social Media:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr | Pinterest | Tumblr | Plurk | TikTok | Reddit | LinkedIn

Linden Lab

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VIRTUAL WORLDS DOCUMENTARY

Directed by: Olivia De Camps
Produced by: Tom Sidi

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Every day, all around the world, millions of people log onto virtual worlds such as Second Life. Through a series of individual stories, this documentary aims to explore the core of basic human interaction. For many individuals, virtual worlds not only serve as escapism, but also morph into an expansion of their real life— where genuine friendships are formed, economy thrives, and often romance is built upon a virtual image that is frequently transferred to the real world. Users have the ability to immerse in the world they have always dreamed of living in, exploring their gender, racial, or sexual identity and creating strong bonds with people they might never get a chance to meet off screen. As we have been stuck at home without a possibility to physically meet, the idea of a digital world has become even more attractive.

The documentary is directed by Olivia De Camps, a Dominican-American film student in her Senior year at New York University Tisch School of The Arts and produced by Tom Sidi, a TV and commercial producer. The film will be submitted to film festivals and uploaded online.

CASTING

Through interviews (all filmed digitally due to COVID) and re-enactments on SL, we are searching for stories to tell from an experiential, non-judgmental and visually-driven way. Tell us your story! How has SL been a world for you in quarantine? Has it helped you find your identity? Did you form a special relationship on the platform If you're an artist, do you come here to share your works (design clothes, host virtual raves, digital photography)? We are looking for people who would like to share their SL experiences with us during or before quarantine. You can choose to remain anonymous if you wish.

For any questions or additional information, you can reach us at: oliviadecamps@gmail.com or t@boraxcfm.com

Tara Linden

When there aren’t a lot of positive headlines, sometimes it’s hard to balance being an informed citizen and preserving your sanity. For those of you not familiar with one of the most epic TV friendships of recent herstory, Christina Yang and Meredith Grey had a tradition of doing an impromptu jig together when things got overwhelming.

(via GIPHY)

During moments like this, I think we could all benefit by following their lead. Especially now that many of us are more sedentary than usual, it’s easy to forget that dance is such a natural mode of expression; distinct forms of dance have developed in almost all human cultures throughout history.

Second Life has an array of clubs and lounges, but when the virtual world is your oyster, you can dance wherever you want. Many animation overrides have a fun selection of dance moves to get you started, but don’t hesitate to peruse the Second Life Marketplace if you’d like a particular style. I’ve seen everything from ballet to reggaeton. Beginners, fear not, as some regions have dance balls that automatically put you in party mode when you stand on them. Our forums are also a great place to get the inside scoop from other Residents if you ever feel stuck when trying out something new. Feel free to take some inspiration from videos Residents have submitted to our Flickr.

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(Photo by Belinda Newell)

An inworld dance party is a safe and relaxing way to have fun and just be in the moment. Everybody deserves to let go of their worries every once in a while, so dance it out!

Strawberry Linden

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“Lab Gab” is a live-streamed variety show that showcases events, destinations, and different talents across Second Life. 

Join our host, Strawberry Linden, as she speaks with Caitlin Tobias and Huckleberry Hax, creators of the upcoming feature-length SciFi thriller - STÖMOL - which is completely shot in Second Life!

Tune in on Friday, July 17th at 11am PT/SLT. Watch us live on YouTube, Facebook, or Periscope!

For full episodes of Lab Gab, click over to the Lab Gab YouTube Playlist. 

Linden Lab

This week’s Second Life Destinations video explores Voodoo Land, which shares a direct border with the cyberpunk region Little World. Created by long-term SL residents and designers Sofie Janic and Monkey Wonder, Voodoo Land also has an urban noir aesthetic, but with a hedonistic flair reminiscent of Las Vegas or New Orleans.

This virtual Sin City of sorts is an expansive region to explore in detail and take photographs; storefronts and buildings bear unique neon signs and there is an abundance of colorful street art ranging from abstract geometric patterns to murals. Turn the corner and you might see a digital billboard.

There is also a basketball court, arcade, and a skatepark for recreation. In fact, this week’s video features Los Angeles-based author Antoine Wilson, who rediscovered his passion for skateboarding in Second Life while sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here he explores Voodoo Land and brings out that old board to try some ollies. There is a lot of open space for skaters of all experience levels, so feel free to give it a shot.

There are also several shopping spots to choose from, including Voodoo Mainstore and Vegas Tattoo. If you need a place to rest, plop down next to an adorable pair of pugs in a rooftop pool. They really thought of everything.

Visit Voodoo Land today!

 

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