Still Love Gina Stella - After All These Years

Second Life has many women singers, and increasingly so.   But then there's Gina Stella.  I have known her for a long time, not as a friend so to speak, but I have appreciated her talent and have watched her remain a steady force within the virtual world of music.  She was instrumental in organizing the SL Jams, and she is a regular participant.  She is a singer and a musician; her voice is passionate and strong, the music flows from her and she breathes new life in old covers.  She just attended the Twin Cities Jam, and now you can read in the SL Live Music Jam Facebook page (by her own admission) that she's ready for another.

I am not a musician, but my older daughter is, and I appreciate all that goes into practice and touring. There is also something extra - the musician that not only loves her/his music, but celebrates the music with all around them, who seeks out that connection whenever, wherever.   I think Gina's got that something extra.  I have seen it in my daughter, and the crowd's response to her. Even her friends see her differently in that moment.   I see that in Gina, like a firefly, that lights up the room instantly. Maybe that is a silly metaphor.  In that moment, they are the pulse, spirit, light, beat, whatever you want to call that special focal point to which we are drawn.   It is why we go to venues, concerts, jams - and even within virtual worlds, because we know one cannot contain such a gift.   There are no borders between SL and RL, and music proves that.

I dedicate this week's Slow Bake show to Gina, for her continual commitment to the SL music scene, and for being a really, really beautiful person!  or avatar!   All the same.

I first met her in 2009, and she played at a club I owned back then.  Here's a small collage I produced at that time, when I was first learning to record machinima.  It is amazing how many years I have enjoyed Gina's talent!   This October, I turn a decade old, and SL Music has been a big part of those years.   That is why I do this show, to honor the wonderful musicians like Gina Stella who have made a difference in all our lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBC-5scGQ98

Thanks Gina!  Thanks to all SL singers and musicians!   Venue owners, agents, fans, tippers, etc.

Sunday, Sept. 25th, Catch Gina Stella @ Seaside Lounge, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yellowstone%20Falls/132/132/41 

One of my favorite songs by Gina is her cover of Damien Rice's 9 Crimes.  Rice is on tour, with his next stop Germany.   She recorded it for YouTube in 2010.    I thought it was perfect timing to dig up the link to her version.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z21N0Dx4kQ

Come to the Island for Slow Bake, Sundays

SLOW BAKE radio with DJ Sonicity & Host Belinda

features the music of SL performers.  Catch us most Sundays (12-2pm SLT)

Streamed on SL Live Radio http://radiosllive.blogspot.com/

Join us @ our new location on our Island 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20of%20Fame/213/197

Listen anywhere, and set your land in-world, http://black.neostreams.info:8167/

Gina Stella Brings Her Magic Back to SL!

Boo!  Let the magic begin!   It's a full moon, and Gina Stella cast her spell over the Isle of Azariah. I was surprised to see Gina on stage joining Bat Masters and Twostep Spiritweaver for a relatively unannounced appearance by the renowned vocalist/musician.

Halloween brought a nice treat, the talented trio of Gina, Bat & TwoStep dual streaming at Acoustic Cave.   Gina is back in SL after a several month hiatus, and it was soooo good to hear lovely voice in full range.  

Want to hear more from her and Bat, here you go -  

https://soundcloud.com/burtonatienken

https://soundcloud.com/gina-aristodemo

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Azariah/208/83/24

Gina Stella is one of the many SL artists I feature on Slow Bake, Sundays, on SL Live Radio.

 SL Live Radio, http://radiosllive.blogspot.com/
DJ Studio, Misty Falls,  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MistyFalls/196/191/4078
Set your land in-world, http://black.neostreams.info:8167/

Kickin' Summer into Gear

It's summer, and I have some catching up to do! I dropped in a few places to see what's shakin' - and the music scene is always lively on the grid. I just got back from hangin' in New England and the Big NYC (and not talking about Lingual's The Roof - but that was one of my first stops when coming back in town).

So here's the music scene in pics.  Last night, I dropped into The Roof's pre-4th of July party - and enjoyed the usual exceptional line-up served up by Ling.   AMFORTE Clarity was stunningly beautiful as usual, with vocal cords that will melt your soul.  It was great to see Strum Diesel, who is working on a new music project - so glad to hear that and looking forward to it!   Lazarus Doghouse, folksy talented musician/storyteller, dropped in to listen and mingle.

Porter Paquot followed AMFORTE, and was her usual amazing self and so cute in her red gown with sparklers!

Also, I had the pleasure to catch rockin' Wayne Davis (WayneDavisRocks) at Sherie's Gaslight - that was my first time hearing him -

                       
and he definitely knows his stuff, a great musician who's been around in RL and SL.



Then, tonight I listened to the fab voice of Gina Stella, while saying hello to Blueron Clyburn, who just finished his set, at TwoMoon Paradise's Mer Garden. He's back home on the East Coast, after performing at this year's Chicago jam, organized by Anek Fuchs and Gina Stella.

Gina looked lovely as mermaid, and so did Blue (see past blog). Sher is back managing Gina. TerryLynn was in the audience. And the lovely TMP Owner Shiran Sabra was on hand, lovely as ever, greeting all.

That's just a quick look around, now that I am back in SL from my RL adventure.  I caught The Follow's Powers Avon at The Roof - his shirt says it all about how busy the band has been and is!

Catch you on the grid and on BOSL radio for some SL jams, hot off the grid, in a show I call Slow Bake, featuring SL musicians, Saturdays, 11am SLT. (Pic below, Deep House Island radio remote)

  :) Soni

sounding good on the grid!

Okay, Soni here. I have been around the grid this week. Have you? Here's some highlights. On Tuesday, Harry Frychester had some fun on stage near the end of his show, and got small. He invited his partner/wife to join the fun on stage with him at The Whiskey. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Harkness%20Beach/26/171/22

At the Roof in NYC, Mercury Madzuka was one of many musicians to take stage this week, and as always it was a good late night crowd. Some of SL's popular musicians and singers that popped in to support Mercury were Noma Falta. Beth Odets, DirtyDee Sweetwater, Greg Colburn, and Stereo Carver (also performing). http://slurl.com/secondlife//190/63/68

WashedUp Sideways performed at The Greenhouse to a late night Thursday audience. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Malitz/112/42/24

I caught OrangeLife Holmer (below) by accident at the Nantucket Tavern at SL New England in Mystic. I plan to go back this Friday to catch his whole show and take some close-up rezzed photos! :) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Malitz/112/42/24. You can also check out his music from his RL band: http://www.myspace.com/thesorrowbandpt

Then Friday, there was the lovely TerryLynn Melody performing at K Design. http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Renaissance%20Galleria/153/103/1009

AcousticEnergy Nitely was performing at Gwampas Thursday, followed by the wonderfully talented sultry Gina Stella. Her man, Anek Fuchs, a talented musician himself, was listening, and just being supportive. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Zeide%20Kamp/238/243/22

Heya, Krissy Fairport has a wonderful voice. I caught her Tuesday at The Whiskey, and that takes up back to where we began. I added some of her songs to my BOSL Radio playlist.

Catch me on the grid - listening!!!! - Soni :)