Krakov Letov at Demo’s Wonderland Tomorrow, Tuesday 8/31

Krakov Letov runs The Notes Shack Pub, possibly one of the more understated looking venues in Second Life, with some of  the best musical acts gracing its small stage.  Krakov also happens  to be an amazing electronica artist and tomorrow you can hear his one of a kind performance at Demo’s Wonderland.  Working mostly on the fly, Krakov creates ambient soundscapes that remind me a lot of Moby’s Voodoo Child project.  As described by his promo material:

Krakov Letov is an instrumentalist in SL. His music can be described as ambient, experimental, noise, psychedelic, post-rock and so on. Krakov uses a live program for mixing guitar, bass, synth, loops, noises…even spoons, chopsticks, metal things, pen, paper or whatever he finds nearby, all played live with samples, loops and soundscapes. Every show is a different story as it’s mostly improvisation.

The show starts tomorrow at 10 AM SLT.  You can find the Demo’s Wonderland at : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Solace%20Lake/68/178/3499

In the meantime, take a look and listen to this video to get an idea of what tomorrow’s show holds.

 

Last night at the Koo Koo Factory

So I did get up in front of a small, but friendly crowd last night and performed 5 songs from my Second Life show, pretty much the way I perform them in Second Life.  It was definitely an odd experience; at times it had all the  awkwardness of  performing karaoke  but without the natural instinct to camp it up to let everyone know you’re not taking yourself seriously.  In fact it made me realize that I do want to take myself seriously to some level.  I think the best part of the evening was watching the two performers before me – Douglas Nelson and Falling Pauli.  They are both talented guitarists and songwriters,  and each connected with the audience in his own way. 

Douglas Nelson  plays  Americana roots rock in the vein of Bruce Springsteen or Tom Petty.  Slice of life lyrics paint a bigger picture of  failure and redemption with brush strokes broad enough to touch almost everyone.  I really admired his laid back stage presence, making the emotional content of the songs easily accessible. 

Douglas Nelson

On the flip side,  Falling Pauli  is  a self-proclaimed ”insensitive singer-songwriter.”  A little bit country and a lot more punk rock, Falling Pauli’s songs ranged from funny to angry, although even songs that fell into the latter category had a wry wit about them.  Humor, particularly self-deprecating humor, is a good ice breaker for any performer and Falling Pauli pulls it off yet still seems charming.   

Falling Pauli

I’m glad I pulled off the few songs I did, although it does make me realize that if I really want to play live I will need to tweak the performance to either include more live instrumentation or some type of choreography.  I would love to have some back up dancers just like I do in Second Life, preferably drag queens, but anyone with some moves and a little glam would do.  If you’re interested, drop me a line demolicious@demo-babe.com

Second Life & Real Life Shows

I’ll be playing a show at The Notes Shack Pub in Second Life on Thursday, August 26th at 1 pm SLT, followed by The Rails!  It’s gonna rock and I want to see you there!

Then, on Saturday, August 28th, I get to stand up in front of an audience of real people and say that one, crazy phrase that will probably make me laugh: “Hi, I’m Demolicious Wonder”  I say it all the time on Second Life, but in real life I haven’t had many opportunities.  Perhaps I should take out a new Safeway Club Card with that name just to get used to hearing people say it out loud.  Anyway,  I’ll be doing a short (I’m thinking 5 or 6 songs) set at a friend’s art space in San Francisco.  You’re invited if you’re in the Bay Area.  Here’s the flyer, and if you want more info you can e-mail me – demolicious@demo-babe.com

Cocktails Before Noon with Eva Moon

EvaMoon Ember

It’s not every day I get to have virtual cocktails at 9 am with one of my favorite Second Life musicians, but it seemed like the perfect setting for my interview with Eva Moon, aka EvaMoon Ember on Second Life.

I first encountered Eva Moon at an open mic event in San Francisco during the 2009 Second Life Community Convention.  Her music was catchy and hilarious; few performers pull off humor and musicianship, but Eva did just that.    I later came to realize that in addition to being a talented performer and songwriter, she’s also something of a bellwether when it comes to social media opportunities for musicians.

One need only look at her updates on Facebook to realize she’s got a full schedule of shows in Second Life and real life, so I was pleasantly surprised she was willing to take some time out to answer a few questions for my blog.

Demolicious: Tell me about the beginnings of Eva Moon and the Lunatics. Were you a band in need of songs or were there songs in need of a band?

Eva Moon: We were songs in need of a band. Actually, we had a band but it wasn’t the right kind of band though we did try for a bit. My other band is Balkanarama . We are still together and play Eastern European gypsy nightclub wedding music. It’s wild fun stuff and people dance on tables and fling glassware around. 

 That band took a summer off in about 2002 and I was restless to do something musical so I tried writing songs on a lark, at first in the gypsy style – some even in those languages, but I really wanted to expand into more western styles and to do so I had to branch out, but it’s mostly the same people.

 Demolicious: So you were aiming for funny and risqué with your songwriting?

 Eva Moon: That’s what came out. I didn’t specifically set out to do that. My very first songs were more serious but it didn’t fit well on me.

 Demolicious: Who are some of your musical or comedic influences?

 Eva Moon:  Oddly, I don’t listen to much popular music and I’ve never played covers.

 I think the Eastern European influences are there. People comment on it. That style of music translates easily into Latin rhythms, so we do a lot of that.  I’ll try anything and I’ve gotten negative reviews of my first CD because of being “too eclectic”; i.e. you can’t say “sounds like artist X”.

For my own pleasure I like performers like David Byrne, Tori Amos, U2 and the B-52s – though I don’t think they influence my music that much. Comedy is hard to peg too. There aren’t that many female comics doing music. Even most male comics doing music focus on the comedy – the music is often very simple-minded – just something to support the lyrics. I focus on lyrics too – it’s critical. But I take the music seriously and want it to be as inventive, developed and good as it can be.

Demolicious: Your songs seem to be very up-to-the minute topical – like “BP Man” and “Boobquake”.  Do you listen to the news with an ear for inspiration for a song?

 Eva Moon: I never used to do that in particular, but the Boobquake thing sort of hit me. Well the first really topical one was “Bailout Man” about the Wall Street Bailout. That one got a fair amount of attention and was even slated to be in a movie documentary about the bailout, though the movie was never completed. But “Boobquake” was sheer luck on the timing. I found out about it just a few days before the actual Boobquake day.

[Boobquake Day] was on a Monday and I got the idea to do a song while in the shower Saturday morning. I wrote the song in like an hour, videotaped it and tossed it up on Youtube that evening before I had much chance to think about it.

 Demolicious: The video really sold it with you just in your bra.  Have you always been that brave about putting yourself out there?

 Eva Moon: I guess brave is one word for it! But yes, I tend to leap and look for a net later. When I write a new show, one of the first things I do is book it and hope it gets written and ready in time. I’m doing that right now.

 Demolicious: What are you working on?

 Eva Moon: A new show on the Seven Deadly Sins.  This is a scoop for you. I haven’t told anyone yet, but we’re going to premier it 10/17.

 Demolicious: Exciting!  Do you usually premiere things in real life or Second Life?

 Eva Moon: Individual songs I usually start in SL.  I haven’t decided about the show yet. I might do some sneak previews in SL.   It’s like taking a show out of town before the big opening.

 Demolicious: Let’s talk a bit about you and Second Life. How did you find Second Life?

 Eva Moon: An old friend introduced me to it. Actually the old friend is someone I’ve written a song about, my old high school boyfriend who is now a woman. He’s the subject of my song “Switcheroo”.

 I had never heard of SL and had no idea what to do after getting through the usual initial dancing addiction. I discovered people were performing live music. At first I resisted. I didn’t think I could do it, since I’m a band girl and didn’t play solo. But then I saw it as a challenge to stretch and push myself to do something new. So I made this alt and dove in.  That was 2.5 years ago.

 Demolicious: You also stream video over the web with Ustream and StreamJam. How does that compare to just streaming audio into Second Life.  Do you find one easier than the other as a performer?

 Eva Moon: They each have different challenges. I was going to say SL is easier, but that’s probably because I’m so used to it. I’ve only recently started streaming video.

The biggest challenge is doing both at once. They each have different needs. In SL there’s so much you have to keep track of while performing – the venue, requests, tips, chat, you want to interact with people and acknowledge them but there’s a huge lag – at least 20 seconds so you really have to be on top of things to make it seem live. I love it, but in some ways I think I sacrifice focus on the music.

 One of the reasons I started doing video was to bring my focus back on the performance and less on technical details. I know that may seem odd, since I was adding on a lot of technical details to do it. But when you’re on cam, you’re ON. You can’t be shuffling through music sheets and scratching your ass. You have to connect.

 Demolicious: Have you seen much traffic at your StreamJam shows?

 Eva Moon: It varies. It’s extremely early days and still beta. But Facebook is HUGE and for the first time they’re allowing live streaming video. So I was happy to get in on the ground floor with StreamJam and be one of the first artists to use it. I’ve got a regular show there every Sunday at noon SLT and other shows as well.

 Demolicious: Can people find information about the StreamJam shows on your Facebook page?

 Eva Moon: Yes. http://facebook.com/evamoonandthelunatics

Demolicious: You’ve just released a video for “Moon Falling Down” – why did you choose machinima over a real life video?

 Eva Moon: When I released my CD “Moon Falling Down” I wanted to do a video for the title track. Machinima seemed ideal for that song because it’s very surreal and dreamlike.

I looked around for a machinimist because I know NOTHING about it at all, though I had visions of what I wanted it to look like.  I eventually hooked up with Codewarrior Carling who liked the song and was interested in doing it. It took a long time, but I think he did a fantastic job of capturing the dreamlike quality.

Demolicious: It turned out great!  So to wrap things up, do you have any other plans for Eva Moon and The Lunatics other than complete and total internet domination?

Eva Moon: LOL  I was offered a theater through an SL connection but it’s RL. They basically said “You can use our theater to create a regular show.  How could I say no?

Demolicious: Really!  Wow

Eva Moon: I’ve never done anything like that but it was irresistible. We’re going to be doing a regular monthly cabaret.

Demolicious: And this is in your hometown of Seattle?

Eva Moon:  Yes, at Open Circle Theater in downtown Seattle. It’ll be mostly second Sundays starting in October.

 Demolicious: That is very cool!

Eva Moon: I can’t wait!   We’ll be premiering the Seven Deadly Sins at the first show and who knows what happens after that!

Tonight – The Bluffs Center for The Arts

I’ll be playing a set at The Bluffs Center for The Arts this evening in Second Life at 8 pm SLT/PST.  The Bluff’s owner, Presoul Darwinian, sent  me a message earlier today to let me know  that the Audio Dome has been lost to a sim glitch, so I’ll be playing my set at The Lodge.  I’m just happy to be playing some music.

This will be my last gig in SL for a few weeks as I’m going on vacation so I hope you can make it!

How I (almost) Spent The Night in a Haunted Hotel

I rolled into Port Costa around quarter to six on a Sunday evening.    I had come to shoot some promo pictures for a friend’s band, Ready!Ricochet and spend the night at The Burlington Hotel, a rundown flophouse of a place rumored to have once been a brothel and now haunted.  I had read too many reviews of the place on Yelp and already had the heebie-jeebies, but I hoped a couple of drinks at The Warehouse, the only bar in town, would calm my nerves.  The Ready!Ricochet crew was 45 minutes behind me, still in Berkeley, so I made my way past the horses and Harleys parked out front of The Warehouse and  ordered a gin and tonic. 

He died with a smile on his face. Decor at The Warehouse

 My friend, Gina Montel (drums), and fellow band mates Erica Liss (bass) and Jeff Woodruff (keys) arrived a little while later and we checked in to The Burlington.  The Burlington has no lobby, so you check in at the bar.  Knowing I was already a little creeped out, Erica asked the barkeep if we had the haunted rooms.

 “You don’t,” she replied.  “A while back a man and his wife checked in and the next day they didn’t return the key.  So I called him to find out about the key and he told me they went to the room and he walked into the bathroom and there was a woman’s torso in the tub so they just left.  They were in Ethyl.” All the rooms at The Burlington have girls’ names rather than numbers. 

 Luckily, none of us got to room in Ethyl, although later Erica told us she had spent the night in Ethyl on her last visit and it was creepy.  We let ourselves into the hotel, found our rooms and got ready for the photo shoot.  Gina had offered a trade of services, so they would take photos for me as well.

  Ready!Ricochet’s music is a work in progress, as is the band at the moment, but they are shaping up to be a cocktail of  richly textured post-rock,  blended with new wave, industrial, and pop flavors. They decided to go with a Steampunk motif for the photos and our location served them well.

Ready!Ricochet

My music, on the other hand, leans more towards the straight up new wave/electro-pop genre, so I wasn’t sure how to make the kitschy velvet wall paper and faux antique furniture work for me.   I decided to play it like I was a character from The Shining.  That seemed to do the trick.

"Come and play with . . . well, just me I guess, forever and ever . . ."

We took photos until we lost the light and then headed back over to The Warehouse, still in Steampunk garb, for some drinks and food. At dusk we headed out to the street to watch the bats fly out of The Burlington.  Yep, no haunted hotel is complete without a colony of bats living within its walls.  

We stayed at The Warehouse, playing pool and listening to the juke box until the barkeep kicked us out around 11:00 pm.  Then it was time for another session of photos. 

We were out on the landing of the second floor when a man and woman came up the stairs.  The woman gave us the once-over before asking what we were doing.  Erica and Gina explained about the photo shoot and then they told us they were ghost hunters doing an investigation at the hotel. 

Since we had experts at our disposal, I tried to verify with them that it was just  Ethyl  that was haunted at which time the woman told us no, the whole place is haunted.  In fact, according to their last investigation, Nell, was one of the most active rooms.  Of course I was staying in Nell.  They went on to tell us that the psychic they had brought with them made contact with a young woman who had hung herself in the Nell room after her baby had been killed.  Apparently she had been working at the brothel and they killed all the working girls’ babies.

My room at The Burlington Hotel

Erica pressed the investigators to show us their set up and they took us to their room where another woman was seated at a computer.  They identified themselves as http://www.xstreampara.com/, a ghost hunting group which broadcasts their investigations live over the internet.  Despite getting an “A” in Journalism in college, I failed to get anyone’s name, so I can only say “the guy” investigator was kind enough to show us the equipment they use and I managed to get  a video.

We chatted with the investigators for a bit, having become part of the live webcast, until their viewers protested and we graciously excused ourselves. Then it was bedtime.

I went back to my room which was a fairly small space, and I tried to picture where a woman might have hung herself.  This of course is the best possible thing to do before going to bed in a room that is supposedly haunted.  I drifted into a fitful sleep and woke up at 2 am to the sound of footsteps, a door closing, and a man saying “No, Glory”.   I immediately figured “Glory” was short for Gloria and I don’t know why . . .  I tried to get back to sleep, but it sounded like someone was walking around out in the hallway, so finally I got up and thought maybe whoever was out there could keep me company.  Of course the hall was empty and very quiet.  I went back to my room and tried to sleep, but kept hearing shuffling and something rolling – not constantly, but enough to keep me awake.  I finally gave up and decided it was time to go home. 

Packed & ready to roll at 2:30 AM

I drove out of town around 2:30 am, half hoping I would catch sight of the Port Costa ghost who is said to haunt McEwan Road, but nada. Probably would have helped if I had driven on McEwan Road.  I’m sure after reading my account here you might think that I’m a scaredy cat who couldn’t handle my own fear of the unknown, but let me just put it in perspective:  when all was said I done I got my photos, partied a bit, mingled with ghost busters and perhaps even communed with the spirits, all without getting stuck in Bay Area morning commute traffic.  It doesn’t get much better than that, folks!