GA-GO - SL Vers

Last Friday I was teleported into an amazing event by the sassy and provocative filmmaker/photographer Belinda (Bel's World). It was part of a larger live music event that day, but what got our attention was - its founder Takuma “Gago Gigamon” calls his band – a machinima band. He literally put on an explosive show, lots of lights and even GA-GO dancers! Pounding beats, lots of enthusiasm and a Westernized rock-n-roll high fashion sense were other ingredients.

One of this recent machinima - G-Project 2012 “End of The War” - was among the films nominated in the 2012 Machinima Expo. Takuma tapped filmmaker SL MAG’s umekobutya Beck, an extremely talented Japanese machinimatographer. Takuma edited the film, and did the sound design. You can watch the video here: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl1mimqvn_c ].


An incredible visual aesthetic is captured in GA-GO’s machinima. There is definitely a Western sensibility in the machinima, and plenty of James Bond-like action. Takuma is a RL rock singer, and he puts on a high intensity rock show in SL. That kind of feeling is captured in the well-produced machinima.

The band members, aside from lead singer Takuma, include Keyboardist Setsuna Infinity, Guitarist Ark Foden, and GA-GO Dancers Pyson Camel and Sizuku3.Vella. The band’s manager is the lovely Yumi Yumichan Allen. The band members in SL differ from RL members. The SL members are builders and creators, and help with the lighting, dance and overall production of the show.

Setsuna is a builder who has been involved in the creation of the Miss Virtual World stage and the sim build for the Ashraya Project.

Takuma feels fortunate to hear his songs in SL, for it has made possible what he thought to be an impossible expression otherwise. To him “the place of expression is Second Life,” a virtual world that allows for new music and new ideas.

In RL, the band is simply known as "GA-GO" and they are very active in Kansai, Japan.

*Special thanks to Sakurako Watanbe, owner of the Kumashon Shopping Mall, for hosting the SL event shown in some of the above photos (taken by S.F.).

I write more about Takuma’s GA-GO machinima  in November’s Magnum:  Machinima Review. 

And Belinda Barnes-Fitzroy and I will see you at the Expo on November 16th-18th.  Details at the Machinima Expo web site. 

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Official  GA-GO Web Site (translated) is at: http://gagotakuma.slmame.com/e1264221.html

Also, GA GO You Tube Channel can be found: http://www.youtube.com/user/gagotakuma

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On a personal note, my BOSL Radio show is on hiatus, and I am not sure at this time when and if I will return to the airwaves.  There's been some changes to station programming.  No worries, your favorites continue on BOSL Radio, even from SL musicians.  I was there from the start (April 2010) and I thank Persia Bravin and CC Teardrop for being part of that wonderful experience.   I will continue to blog the music scene for now.   Radio has been a major part of my life - RL and SL, and I will miss the opportunity to support the SL live music scene in my own small way, by broadcasting and promoting SL's  talented musicians.  You never know in radio - I might be back tomorrow or five years from now in another virtual world.  LOL.

Saying that, I was very happy to purchase AcousticEnergy's long awaited debut CD the other night.   I am glad he finally made good his promise of producing an album, and I am saddened I didn't receive it in time to air it. I will wear it out, however, by listening to it over and over in between his SL gigs.  Check it out here, under his RL name, http://www.jamesolmos.com/#!home/mainPage

:) Soni, catch you on the grid.  

Mewz News!

Live from South Korea, MewZ Artis!  She performed Monday October 16th at the Sunset Sky Club in Paradis Moment.   She has not been singing inside SL for long, but she is destined to be a rising star.   She has a beautiful voice, with a lovely South Korean accent.  When she sings, she has nearly perfect English.   Now 28, she grew up listening to American radio, and learned how to cover the best pop artists.   She is definitely one of the best female voices on the grid.   She has never been to the USA, but she certainly knows the artists and the culture.

Expect to see/hear her all over the SL music scene, and real life soon once word gets out how amazing she is - a bit shy when she starts her set, but she is stunning when she begins to sing.   Check out her music at the web site -  Virtual Asia.  A good friend of hers recorded her performance;  see it there.

MewZ's Links, bio, music - 

http://www.youtube.com/user/MewzWhite

http://blog.naver.com/mew_z

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Paradis%20Moment/144/26/35

Be sure to look for her!   

Beautiful Sounds at Two Moon Paradise

What's this Austin gal doing in Second Life?   Her name is Lisa Marshall, and she is an incredibly talented rhythm and blues singer.   You can feel her soul vibrate through your virtual speakers.   At times, I would say she is a cross between Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin and then throw in lots of originality.    She released a solo CD "Stay Right Here" a few days ago - singing one of the songs "Hold me" from it, you can hear her range.   It's like being churched in the good old days of soulful classics.

Rosi (rosinante.vinson) from Lisa's management crew was on hand dancing.   The stage was set for autumn festivities and Two Moon Paradise is always a beautiful venue.

Lisa grew up in Virginia, spent some time in California, and ended up in Texas - and of course Second Life.  She is not only a talented singer, but a musician with several instruments to her credit.    This was my first time hearing her, and I am totally impressed.   It was on a Monday afternoon, and she livened up an otherwise ordinary work day.  Perfect day for some bluesy, soulful introspection.  Her personable style is a treat as well.   Expect lots of original tunes and a whole lot of real life in her songs. She closed out her set with "Don't Give Up" - also featured on her web site.

She has a RL CD release party on Saturday, October 27.   Event details and more about her music here....http://lisamarshallmusic.com/

Thanks to Shiran Sabra for booking her - at the lovely Two Moon Paradise.

Next up was Therese Nightfire, another extremely talented singer with an incredible vocal range.  A beautiful person with a beautiful voice - and always be sure to listen for her "LaLa" song and her lovely adaptation of Nora Jones, Adele and many contemporaries. And one of her closing tunes was done amazingly well - "I will  always love you" - acapella!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Two%20Moon%20Paradise/166/193/28

Be sure to tip the local SL talent!   Here's to seeing you on the grid!

:)  soni and belinda!

SL Gangnam Furry Style

Here's one to wag your tail to - Belinda and Soni team up to bring you Psy in avatar form!  Of course, you need some Furry dancers to add spice.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/belsworld/7987331843/in/photostream

Happy 2, NeoVictoria

Congrats to NeoVictoria, a Steampunk experiment in its second year.   Founder Asil Ares celebrated The NeoVictoria project's second anniversary Wednesday, September 12th.

The year by the way is 2127 - the planet NeoVictoria is located in the virtual world of Second Life.   NeoVictoria maintains the aesthetic of Steampunk, while capturing the spirit of adventure in its free-form role play.  On-going events maintain a strong community - and add plenty of opportunity to dance and celebrate together, as well as shop and live there as well.  There's a special area dedicated to machinima, to view and to film.

As parties go, it was a good time for all, and as you see, I took some photos of the cozy gathering.  I decided to slip into something more furry... and Asil looked wonderful as usual.

SLURL

From STEAM to SIXTIES

Belinda and I made the rounds - a couple of fantastic parties on Friday night.  First it was Adele Kling's reception party for a flashback to the 60s featuring the work of artists - Galilla Sinatra, Tequila Krovac and Walter Gedenspire who shared their visions of the 1960s. 

Everyone was groovin' to some classic tunes, and we were all feeling the vibes from the art and fashion.  The photos tell a bit, and you can see more at the art gallery, Vintage Visions at New Toulouse Bourbon.

Then Bel and I were off to the STEAM 7 opening party, hosted by founder Perryn Peterson.   The launch took place at the New Arcadia Asylum Library (near the Freebie Center) at Mieville Wells, one of Perryn's ten Mieville sims, themed to reflect Victorian Steampunk in much of its diversity.  STEAM 7 starts TODAY (September 1st) at the Information Center in Mieville Doyle.  Also, refer to the blog - http://historicalhunts.blogspot.com/

A spacecraft landed in the midst of the party, and some little greenies joined the festivities.   We were all taken to our leader, Perryn and instructed to have a great time.

To learn about the origins, meaning and evolution of the STEAM Hunts, see my FEATURE STORY in this month's RETROPOLITAN Magazine, in which I chat to the genius behind it all - Perryn Peterson.   Also in September's issue, the Steampunk Adventures of Bel and Soni continue.

And then Bel concluded the night by taking some pics of our new Mon Tissu dresses - that is how our day started with some loose change and a desire to kick off the weekend by shopping.    I snapped a few photos as well...

anyway, here is Bel's masterpiece @ Flickr [a lovely pic that also captures the mood of our island].  Her photo shoot took us full circle to the beginning of our day - yup, back to what we do best, shopping.  Isn't that how any holiday weekend should start?!   For now....that's it!

BTW, It's Labor Day weekend in the USA - fireworks and all.  If we don't see ya before then, catch me and Belinda next Saturday @ BOSL Radio, My show - SLOW Bake - resumes 11AM SLT!  Meanwhile I will be scouting the grid for SL musicians to add to my playlist.