Aminius Writer at Music Soulmates

Music Soulmates presents Aminius Writer!   It was a fantastic way to start the week!  German singer Aminius is an incredible singer.   I am surprised that I never heard him before, although he has been in Second Life for quite a while.   What really got my attention is his rendition of Damien Rice - what a talent!

Just some photos from a great time! 

 Here's the line-up for the coming week!

Xara Fiasco at Kyle's Meatspace

One of my favorite places to just chill and listen is The Meatspace Piano Lounge, owned by Kyle Bronsdon.  I believe it was Belinda (Barnes-Fitzroy) that got me hooked (pictured near me).   Kyle took a break this week, and this was a rare occasion for him to hand over the microphone and his piano.  Xara Fiasco was a wonderful addition.  What an amazing voice!   She had a mix of covers and originals, and she made the "covers" come alive with her unique sultry style. 

Her wit and honesty brought us laughter, and she admitted to being a little nervous.  Not that we could tell!   The lyrics rolled from her lips smoothly with strong vocals that are telling of her long career ahead.  She like Kyle creates magic on the piano.

We hope Xara will return soon for another brilliant performance.   (Yet we are wonderfully content with Kyle!  Also look for him on Facebook.)

Join Kyle and the gang Tuesdays at 7:30 PM SLT at Meatspace!  He is an extremely talented
performer, well versed in storytelling via his songs.  Exceptional on the piano.  See you there, Tuesdays! 

For now, off the grid - Sonicity

World Listening Day, July 18th

Listen up! Today is World Listening Day. So take a few minutes to really listen to sound around you whether you live in a city or the countryside. We are enveloped by soundscapes. - even in our virtual world - http://www.worldlisteningproject.org/world-listening-day/  This Saturday, you are welcome to an open house celebrating sound in Second Life at the UWA-SIU Virlantis sim [Machinima World - Sonic Lab].  It is part of an online course that I am teaching for my university, and tied to a much larger media project under development.

A few of us created the Sonic Lab where we teach sound online historically and culturally as art and practice. A multi-layer sound lab was constructed to help students develop critical listening skills, by virtually tuning into the modern origins of music and learning to appreciate the sonic environment, now and then, that contributes to our daily soundscapes. The virtual classroom experience leads students through time, place - and sound.

You enter the virtual world via a medieval realm soaked with layered sounds ignited by one's presence and touch. Visitors acoustically engage into a soundscape rich with nature's lush greens and harbor sounds, and perhaps stop into the local tavern for a chat and music.

Your travels take you to modern times, from Ragtime's Scott Joplin, to experimental masters Edgard Varèse and John Cage, to those they have influenced, Reich, Zappa, The Beatles, Hendrix, Ramones, Riot Grrrls, and New York's alternative scene to a mock up of Oblivion from the movie of the same title.

The sound installation was funded by a summer course development grant awarded by my university.  To learn about this project, attend the VWBPE Conference session, Sonic Immersion Part I: Hearing is Believing, Case Study: Sound Studies in Second Life, Friday, July 26, 8:05-8:55 AM SLT, Builder's Brewery Auditorium. Part II will be held at Virlantis during VWBPE's MOOC post-conference, with times to be announced soon. Admission is free.

Join us Saturday, July 20th, Noon to 2PM SLT for an Open House.  Musician and old friend AcousticEnergy Nitely and BOSL friend and colleague DJ CottonCandy will provide the entertainment. Visit the sim, spanning four levels and six regions, when we unearth the sonic mysteries of sound, as noise, music and art.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/UWA%20Virlantis/107/126/23

Special thanks to *Belinda Barnes,* Lowe Runo and Kara Trapdoor, as well as Jay Jay Jegathesan (Jayjay Zifanwe) of UWA for their support and assistance on this project. 

Here we go! Again!

Welcome me back.  I will be following the wonderful virtual musicians of Second Life, and  broadcasting from my new sim.  Details upcoming!   Stay tuned.   Let's make some new great memories together, and keep supporting our talented musicians (and local entertainment/venues in the virtual) for another decade.    Leaving ya'll with some pics from the past few months or so, most unposted.   See if you recognize any of these folks! - besides me and Bel.  Thanks Belinda for my new logo - you inspired me to continue the good cause!

Hugs!  Soni