Mats Milev

Where are you from?


Well first of all, i would like to Introduce myself. My name in real life is Guy Noel and in Second Life I perform as  Mats Milev. I am a singer-songwriter coming from Luxembourg. It's a very tiny country. They call it it the Heart of Europe.

How long have you been playing music?

Well the question is, at what stage did I think that I was able to play it ... I started, as mostly Kids do, practicing every day in order to be able to play some chords. I remember that I have an old guitar with only one string, i think it was the G side...I played it day and night until my girlfriend bought me a new one. Thanks to her ! So it took some years finally to be able to join a Band. But at that time, another Band member told me that i had a very good voice....so that's how i started to become a Singer and a guitarist. If i remember well, i was 20 at that time.

Let's start spending some words about SL :how did you discover SL? what brought you inworld?

I came into Sl due to a later friend called Cyberpiper, a well known inworld musican.
I remember that once I was sitting at home  reading some magazines when I found a very nice report about him, who was used to  playing in a virtual World in front of people from all over the Globe, but in front of his Computer. At that time, streaming wasn't so popular to the people and i found it very interesting. We met later in Sl and became friends. I remember that it was very hard to find out how to stream, which hardware and programs to use. I asked many people in Sl and a lot of them were very helpful. I played my first gig over the computer mic...oh God ! it sounded terrible and awful!. Then  I finally found a stream program for Mac, called : Nicecast. It has a lot of features where you can mix your guitar and voice sound.

Did you ever think to use your real name for what you usually do in Second Life?

Of course. My music is my passion. People should also know my real name as I am selling my music also. It is available on Itunes and on amazon. I’m also distributing it inworld in Sl. I am presenting my originals in Sl when i play and that's why people should know my real name too.

I am juse country who wt a Singer-Songwriter from a littlants to share his original music with people from everywhere. A musician without this one and only dream..i haven't met him yet if you know what I mean

Can you describe your experience in SL:what did you like to do when you were not playing?did you like to go to live music events or to art exhibits?

Of course, my main reason for Sl was music. That is why I am trying to follow and listen to every artist in Sl. I am mostly standing in the back so people can't see me..i don't know why..but i am doing this also in my real life  when I attend to some gig  ..don't ask me why !
I liked very much going to concerts of Ayden Kruh who is not inworld anymore I guess
I like so much  also the music of Craig Lyons. I’ve been  listening  a lot of concerts of Aminius Writer who is a very talented Artist too, even if he’s mainly focused   on covers. I once sent him my cd to his home and when i arrived at his Gig in Sl he was covering a song of mine.... I felt so proud of it, since it seemed to me that people started appreciating my original music!!

What has influenced you to get your to where you are today musically?

I started playing in Sl around 2007 but I did only covers at that time. I was not that much able to write  original songs.
A friend helped me...she was a fan of mine, she never missed But at that time there was a woman from the Uk following me to every Gig  played :unfortunately I cannot remember her name, but...that’s what friends are for, so... Once, she just said to me,” your music makes me feel good every time I listen to it “and that  was a very talented and gifted musician. She asked me why i didn't play my own songs and she convinced me to start writing. Due to her, my life music changed.I got a cd now, over 20 original songs.

Do you think SL could be a valid showcase for your RL works?
No, i don't think so.

How would you describe your style?
I think my style would fall into Rock, Pop, Folk with a touch of melancholy in it.

Which are the sources of your inspiration?
The music of David Gray, Damien Rice just to name a few

You have just released your last CD:in which is it different from your previous ones?
I have released my first CD whose title wasis  ' Let Me Be Myself'. It is a Extended version of 4 songs that I wrote these songs in a time when i felt not that good. I took advantage of that and started to write. These are the most sincere times when your white paper starts to get filled with honest words coming from the heart.

Do you use other kind of digital promotions?
I started to use also Ustream last year so people can see me when I am playing. These concerts are mostly streamed together with Sl. I announce these concerts usually over my Facebook acount.

Where do you see yourself a year from now:will Second Life still exist?

I don't see myself much different in a year. I hope i will write my 12 songs a year and will record them on my next album.

I think Secondlife is very useful for artists, musicians like me in order to promote themselves but it is also very tired if you need to play in irregular hours. Means accepting Gigs at a much later hour just to reach more people with your music. But that is another thing where musicians in Sl surely agree with me. Doing this Gig after gig will let you make feeling very tired in your real life

I think people are still afraid to come into Sl because they think they will become addicted to it....and that's true :)
Best of luck
Guy Noel ( a.k.a Mats Milev )
Here are some links where you can find me :

http://www.wix.com/guynoe5/guynoel
https://www.facebook.com/guy.noel1
http://itunes.apple.com/album/angels-cant-fly/id370880496?i=370880502&ign-mpt=uo  

spotlight on Sonorous Break

 Fife based band, Sonorous Breaks rock hard enough to please, with melodic female vocals adding depth and meaning to well crafted, catchy originals to their own take on well known covers. Andrea, originally from California, provides a much needed feminine touch to Sonorous Breaks in the male dominated scene.

Sonorous Breaks are Andrea (Violet Whybrow) who plays ,as she says, her “vocal awesomeness”, Martin (Biggus Asbrink)at the drums , Dale (Chupacabra Beaumont) who plays just bass(even if he’d like to learn the trumpet though),Angus (Geo Yohogania) plays mainly guitar but dabble on the keyboard, (“II would say drums -he says-but my band members would debate that “)
 
They play in SL for the love of music, just for tips...respecting maybe the pristine sense of SL as the perfect place to create and  share creativity with others.

Andrea only is from Petaluma California, while the others band members come come directly from Sunny Fife in Sunny Scotland .

They’ve been involved in music from different time:Andrea has been playing music for 25 years,Martin almost 7 years Angus about 18 years, while Dale got his bass for Christmas 2002, but he never really started 'playing' music until 2004.

They describe their style basically as a sort of grunge rock with a bit of metal melody and madness mashed together:definitely their sound is just energetic and lively,not too flashy, but at the same time a little unique.

Since I’m always very interested in the process of musical creation Ia   asked them  how long does it take to write a song or piece of music.
“It depends,-Andrea says- sometimes it ‘s fast and some take months and some songs evolve over time.” Dale instead just  usually needs about 30 minutes to create a new song, even if of course it takes longer to perfect it though”

“It all depends on how inspired I am or how we feel.-Angus says -I can have an idea for a whole song just pop into my head and that's it but some take a little more development with help from the guys when its just an idea for a riff”.

Angus thinks of himself as being a good but not great songwriter,although he’s versatile ,as he was classically trained, so he finds he can switch styles of playing very easy. He’s quite proud to be  one of those rare breeds of rock musician that can actually read music!

Except Dale, who just writes music (“ I wouldn't be trusted to write lyrics!”) the others band members are equally involved both in doing lyrics and music

Then I asked which acts have most inspired them.
“As a child Madonna -Andrea says-as I got older I would say the Black Crowes, Hole and Nine Inch Nails.”

Without any false modesty Martin says “Me personally(he laughs) but also Foo Fighters, Tool, 36 Crazyfists, Rage Against the Machine”.

Dale has been inspired by Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave but soon he learned to play bass and develop his style by listening to them.

Angus says:” The Black Crowes, is my favourite band ever, but also Rage Against the Machine, Skunk Anansie, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Faith No More, 80's/ 90's cock rock ...oh and not forgetting the musical powerhouse Britney Spears!!! (he says laughing)”

 
For these guys everything can be a source of inspiration and ideas for songs or pieces of music just come up with things, their lyrics come from experiences and other peoples stories.

Angus says :”Anywhere really can inspire me:I could be doing the most mundane thing and an idea just pops in there and I've gotta go get something down before I forget it. Most of the time I find things just happen when I'm just messing around on my guitar and Annie says she likes what I did....then I have to work out what that actually was “

For Dale everything starts from the music “ I usually just try to work around the guitar..”:”Playing gigs and seeing people enjoying our music inspires  to play more..Angus got his inspiration from his mood and Dale  says:”My source of inspiration are...peanuts. I suffer as Charlie Brown suffers!”he jokes



Definitely they influence each other as a band, “When it works it’s magic and everyone can feel it in the room.
they play together because they feel a sort of urgency that shows through Angus words:”i have  a need to play. If I'm not in a band making and playing musical I get a bit stir crazy!!! I just need to do it.

Then i asked which song would they most like to have written, Andrea chooses Evenflow by pearl jam its song perfection!! Martin: Everlong - Foo Fighters.
Dale’s choice is  Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14, also known as the Moonlight Sonata. (I wish I wrote that.he says)
Angus: Ooh this is a tough one but probably "Groove is in the Heart" by Deelite, I love that song it makes me happy lol Shocking choice as it's not a rock song but hey it's my song yo!!!!

Then we started  spending some words about SL first I asked them how did they discover it.

Andrea is the one who first discovered it off a music forum and then she introduced  this amazing virtual stage to the others band members and shelped her band mates to create their avatar as well.

What basically  brought them inworld has been their urge to do music on another platform.The idea of live musicians playing in virtual clubs intrigued them all so they had to check it out.



When they are not on stage they love exploring all around SL:
Andrea is a model, a designer,  a  builder and she wrote for a magazine and fashion stuff all as my r

Angus tends to go see other musicians play and that's about it.
“Concerts mainly or any cool sims that people suggest to me, I like well built and creative things.-he says”


All the Sonorous Break agree that SL can be a valid showcase for their oRL works    because of its worldwide audience!!
“It's a good promotion tool for people to listen to your music all round the world. an-Martin says-and to top it off its free to do that!”
“It has potential... -adds Dale-people have shown an interest, so if we work hard I think it can be.
Angus: Absolutely. It's an outlet to a worldwide audience and we tend to get more attending our SL shows than RL ones l”
The main reason by the way is just that they have a lot  fun and they like to let people hear theirmusic,.”Of course Anrdrea says-if we can gain anything from it,that would be awesome. AySorry for the cliché”




Finally my last question:”Where do you see yourself a year from now:will Second Life still exist?”
“Second Life will still exist and we will conquer the world!!!-Andrea says and Martin: I “hope the band will be more established in real life and in second life. Yeah i think it will till be around as more people hear about it everyday.”
Dale adds“Definitely! I think we'll still be playing on Second Life - maybe even more often. The more we play, the more people will hear us. The more people that hear us, the more fans we'll acquire! And the more we play, the more fun we'll have. “
Angus ends our conversation with a personal wish!”A year from now we will rule the world playing mariachi music and SL will still exist!!!”

spotlight on Hairy Balbozar

SANDY:Where are you from?
HAIRY: I was born and raised in Atlantic Canada, where I still reside today.



SANDY:How long have you been playing music?
HAIRY: I started playing at the age of 15, which would make it 20 years now.



SANDY:Let's start spending some words about SL :how did you discover SL? what brought you inworld?
HAIRY: I was made aware of SL via Rolling Stone Magazine, whom had an article about the emerging trend of live online performances, focusing on Frog and Jaycat, two RL and SL performers who were doing shows at SL's oldest live club, The Lily Pad Lounge (now closed).



SANDY:Did you ever think to use your real name for what you usually do in Second Life?
HAIRY: People who know me, my friends, know the real me and who I am, as we speak in SL and outside of it as well.  I promote my music in SL, so there is no hiding your real self if you are an artist of any type.  It is not possible to effectively promote your RL works if you are hiding behind an avatar.  That only works if you keep all of the content strictly digital, and have no intentions of performing in RL in front of a live audience.



SANDY:Can you describe your experience in SL:what did you like to do when you were not playing?did you like to go to live music events or to art exibits? 
HAIRY:When I am not performing live I enjoy DJing a lot and spending time with some close friends hanging out and acting silly.  I enjoy taking photography and doing digital editing, and that alone keeps me busy with people looking for quality shots.  I would love to say I do more in SL, but RL work and rehearsals do not afford me the time to do so.

 

SANDY:What has influenced you to get your to where you are today musically?
HAIRY: Oddly enough, everything!  As a young musician there were not only the mainstream artists in the music industry, but people in my hometown that had a major impact ... lit a fire under my ass so to speak.  Seeing great musicians perform sparks the want to practice and learn more, more chords, more voicings and more styles.  Growing up I listened to everything from Elvis to Megadeth and everything in between.  To draw from one style of music would lead to a very narrow and shallow view of music as a whole, which leads to a very limited repertoire of influences to let your creativity flow through.  To pick any groups or musicians that have influenced me would take a long time, but a short list would include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Primus, the Grateful Dead, Megadeth ... god, the list could go on and on.  I also produce and engineer recording sessions at our studio, so my influences go far beyond the actual performers.  Producers like Butch Vig, Dr. Dre and the Neptunes, as well as mastering engineers such as Bob Ludwig have influenced the way I approach tones and music production and assembly.



SANDY:Do you think SL could  be a valid showcase for your RL works?
HAIRY:It already has.  Web traffic to the websites have gone up, I have sold a few MP3's as well as just getting the music heard.  The best part of SL is if someone doesnt like your music, odds are they will tell you, unlike in RL where they are too shy to say anything.  Sitting behind a keyboard empowers people to speak their mind, and that is usually a good thing.

SANDY:How would you describe your style?
HAIRY: A little bit of everything all at once :)
 

SANDY:Which are the sources of your inspiration?
HAIRY: Music.  Music inspires.  Music is life.


SANDY: you have just released your last CD:in which is it different from your previous ones?
HAIRY: Each and every release grows and encompasses all of the best from the past, with what has been learned to the point where the CD is released.  To not grow musically would be to stagnate or even regress into the same old style and songwriting, which would grow tiring not only to your audience, but to yourself.

http://www.myspace.com/soapstonetribe
http://www.raant.ca
http://www.myspace.com/raant





SANDY:Do you use other kind of digital promotions?
HAIRY: At this time, only our websites, Second Life and Facebook.

 
 
SANDY:Where do you see yourself a year from now:will Second Life still exist?
HAIRY: Second Life will exist until such a time when LLabs locks down the user experience to a point in which other virtual worlds take over and support the customer and its needs.  As far as myself, I will be performing in both worlds still, and hopefully a little better each day.

spotlight on Zerbie Magic

Zerbie Magic was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She has been singing in real life for 13 years, and recently started performing in Second Life where she can realize her mission of  "singing to the World."
Zerbie's passion is music and she is thrilled to be able to sing full time. She is doing what she loves to do and does soooo well. Fall in love as your soul is renewed by her music.... by a voice that is rich, smooth, powerful and sweet!
Zerbie sings covers of musicians such as Toni Braxton, Sarah McLachlan, and Savage Garden, with an original tune or two thrown in to the mix!!  Her unique and varied style cross genres to include R&B,  Pop, and Jazz

SANDY:Where are you from?\  

ZERBIE:I was born in Miami, Florida

SANDY:How long have you been playing music?
ZERBIE:For about 13 years



SANDY:Let's start spending some words about SL :how did you discover SL? what brought you inworld?
ZERBIE:My friend saw an infomercial on tv about being able to make a living on second life. So called me and told me about it, so i created an avatar Zerbie(what my mom calls me). I  then discovered that people can perform in Second Life but then my mission   change. I now became interested in singing then anything else.



SANDY:Did you ever think to use your real name for what you usually do in Second Life?
ZERBIE:I do share my real name "Roserbie Theoc" with those who come to my show at times. I'm not only an sl singer but I also sing in rl as well. And i'd like to stay connected to my fans where ever I go.



SANDY:Can you describe your experience in SL:what did you like to do when you were not playing?did you like to go to live music events or to art exhibits?
ZERBIE: I love meeting people, I definitely love shopping for anything and everything:it's just amazing to see what's created by all these talented people. Everything in sl is art to tell you the truth. But I do catch my friends performing as well like TB Andel, Maximillion Kleene, Maxx Sabertooth, PM Bookmite, and others.

 

SANDY:What has influenced you to get your to where you are today musically?
ZERBIE:I remember the first time seeing Whitney Houston performing" I wanna dance with Somebody". I said I want to be just like her...and then my journey began.



SANDY:Do you think SL could  be a valid showcase for your RL works?
ZERBIE: I definitely do, because I'm reaching  people that would take a bit more work and funds to reach, I have fans all over the world. And when my album comes out it won't just be released in rl but also in sl:and these  people are real no matter  how you see it.

SANDY:How would you describe your style?
ZERBIE:hmmm lol I'm a producers nightmare i'm a bit all over the place. I would say pop contemporary/world.


SANDY:Which are the sources of your inspiration?
ZERBIE:Life experiences and just an imagination of maybe what i'd want to happen.

SANDY: Do you have a cd released yet?
ZERBIE:Not yet I'm working on my first album now Titled "Second Life Second Chance" which was given to me by one of my Zer Bee fans. I plan on also releasing the first song on November 12. So look out for that!


SANDY:Do you use other kind of digital promotions?
ZERBIE: So far i've used reverbnation, myspace, ans facebook.http://www.reverbanation.com/zerbie

http://www.zerbielive.com

http://www.myspace.com/zerbiemagic

 
SANDY:Where do you see yourself a year from now:will Second Life still exist?
ZERBIE:Life will definitely exist for me but i do see myself traveling the world singing my music. and doing great things I plan to be a household name.

 

Spotlight on:WOLFIE MOONSHADOW

SANDY:Where are you from?
WOLFIE:I am from Gibraltar which is located at the southern most tip of Spain.  Across the Straits of Gibraltar from the African continent.


SANDY:How long have you been playing music?
WOLFIE:  I have been involved in music since I was 6 years old.  From a very young age I had a passion for singing.  I sang in our school choir.  At the age of 8 I had my first solo performance on stage.  I was petrified :)  I have had 20 years of actual singing experience in clubs and also performing concerts with my bands.


SANDY:Let's start spending some words about SL :how did you discover SL?
what brought you inworld?
WOLFIE:  I was approached by someone in SL who also had an account with Sing Snap and had heard my recordings there.   She asked me if i was interested in using another platform to have my voice heard.  It was at this time that I accepted her offer, made an avatar and she literally gave me all the advice and tools I would need to begin signing in SL.  As soon as I saw what I could achieve that i wasn't able to achieve in real life I made SL my singing home.



SANDY:Did you ever think to use your real name for what you usually do in Second Life?
WOLFIE:It's not something I have thought of doing.  Due to the fact that many people from sing snap know me as Wolfie.  That has always been my nickname.


SANDY:Can you describe your experience in SL:what did you like to do when you were not playing?did you like to go to live music events or to art exibits?
WOLFIE: I hang out with friends, go to live music events and work with my production company Moonlight Music.

 
SANDY:What has influenced you to get your to where you are today musically?
WOLFIE: Basically it's my pure love of singing.

 SANDY:Do you think SL could  be a valid showcase for your RL works?
WOLFIE: Yes, absolutely.  The SL music industry is fastly growing due to the amount of talent coming into SL.  Music has been noticed in SL and this virtual world is a new frontier for undiscovered talent.  All that we produce in here is a great reflection of what we can produce in RL.

SANDY:How would you describe your style?
WOLFIE  I drive a very high paced show and with it I have adopted a blues/rock feel to my singing.   I strive to make each show different.  My voice is very distinctive due to my own personal style.  When choosing a song to sing I always make it my own.  
 

SANDY:Which are the sources of your inspiration?
WOLFIE: Great artists like Phil Collins, Elton John, Gary Moore and Seal inspire me with their powerful songs to become a better singer.

SANDY: Are you gong to release a new CD?
WOLFIE:I am in the process of arranging for a CD to be made which will be released very soon.


SANDY:Do you use other kind of digital promotions?
WOLFIE:I use UStream to feed live shows into SL.

 
SANDY:Where do you see yourself a year from now:will Second Life still exist?
WOLFIE: No one can predict what the future may hold.  But I do know that all of the hard work I have invested into my singing career in SL will continue throughout the year.  I will strive to be the best I can be.   SL has become my career's home.