By: Kelli Leitner
I went to interview Quentin Lovenkraft about the SL concert business. He introduced me to George Roger Wysent. It was great to be so very well received by the music community. I learned a lot about SL’s music scene. Quentin has a lot of great acts touring SL and he really has a relaxed presence. George who is one of the SL performers came in his Slash performer skin which he designed himself. It was a very impressive skin. George went on to tell me that they really try to create an authentic look and feel for the performances they put on. They really want to put on a show and to give the bands they portray justice here in SL. I was told that if there is an act that they cannot live up to then it is not performed. That’s so comendable in today’s disposable world.
I spoke with Quentin about the music business in general. When asked how they felt about the live concert scene it was stated that Second Life (SL) is a place where, if you want it you can find it. Quentin and George are both big proponents to having both live music as well as the tribute bands performing in SL. They believe that music is something that sets our souls on fire. It is a passion and in SL since the whole world is art then music in every form should be accepted. Music is the life blood and soul of Second Life, without it, the belief is that SL would begin to wither and die.
We went along chatting which evolved into a discussion of rights, meaning having the rights to play the music of the artists they portray. I have found that most of the artists that have been in SL have contacted the real life bands for permissions to perform to the real life artists’ music in SL although there isn’t really a good way to go about verifying that fact.
Most real life bands are happy to give permission to in world tribute performers. There are those like Metallica that have some issues with tribute bands in Second Life. I am not sure why any band would want to deny a tribute or from attempting to portray them in concert. I would think it could serve as great advertising and help grow the real life bands following, even if they are huge in real life. If expression is through music and the music is in second life then I believe it should all be accepted. There are some who would strongly disagree. One particular person who disagrees is Lizzie Lexington of the CityZen staff. This was a huge point on which she continued to argue with me on when all I was doing was covering the bands in Second Life (live or tribute). Lizzie’s stance was that tribute bands had no place in second life. She attempted to persuade me remove that type of coverage from my articles. Yes censorship still exists here in SL as it did in communist Russia. I am a proponent to free speach. I naturally refused to do so as that would be turning my back on a part of the music in Second Life and that would be very wrong to do. I cannot understand how some people can be so obtuse with their attitude towards art, for it is truely an expression of who we are as human beings. This was a major part that led to my leaving CityZen. I for one call for you as readers to reject that kind of thinking and to turn your back on supporting anyone who rejects freedom guarenteed us by the constitution. I would like to hear you the reader’s opinion on this subject. For it is you the readers that I write and not myself .
Going on with life and writing, I had a chance to speak to some big names in the music business, specifically Ortho Vargas and Kentar Vendetta of OD Designs. They were very informative as well as exceptionally courteous. In my interview with these two bigwigs I was told that they have a love of music. They love all music in SL. When asked if they have a preference as to live or tribute band they expressed to me that they believed both very not only important but vital to Second Life. Ortho is very active in the music in Second Life. OD Designs does sponsor quite a number of bands both tribute and live artists. When I asked about the talent level of the bands they sponsor I was told that varies greatly. Some bands are good, bad and in between. The bands and artist that work on their game naturally improve most of the time.
Many bands come to OD Designs to purchase equipment for the right band or artist look. After all no matter where you are RL or SL image is everything to an artist. Ortho believes they are the largest music gear provide in Second Life today. We got into a discussion on exactly what makes a great tribute show here in Second Life. Ortho’s customers which he termed more like family put on better and better shows here in Second Life because of the flash and glitz put into the shows. It also requires effort by the artist to reach out to the crowd and get them to participate and be like a part of the show. A good artist will use their tools correctly. “You need a fantastic stage, lights, pyro effects, good animations, well made instruments and low lag really helps”. Ortho went on to state that there are things that can be done to reduce lagging and a good artist will know how to get that edge.
We went on to discuss conflicts that occur in Second Life. Personal relationships follow wherever there are people. There are conflicts in SL just like there are in real life. Bands get together and bands break up and the same occurs with production companies.
OD Designs work with RL music gear builders like Dean, BC Rich, Traben, Washburn, Parker and so many more. OD Designs specifically recreates their gear in SL under exclusive licenses. “Most of our gear is RL authorized and approved by the RL companies that’s been a policy for a long time”. OD Designs also we has a “registry” where performers can hookup and find bands.
What about newbies that want to become rockers? If you are accepted, you get a base rate and that usually depends on experience as do most things and that is standard. Ortho Vargas went on to say “That there are always bands looking for members. And new bands all the time”. One big thing I thought was great to hear was that people are not taken advantage of. They get paid for what they do.
It can be difficult surviving in a band as some work for only tips especially if it’s a new band. There are bands that break up and are never heard of again. Most breakups or shut downs happens to start ups. Newer bands are more unstable on average. I had a great time hanging out at OD Designs and interviewing. I went on in my interview with the people at OD Designs and you can read the rest of that interview here below:
Kelli Leitner: Well for me i would love to see one in world group stay with one or 2 bands
Kelli Leitner: Are familiar with Stillian? They do great shows.
Kentar Vendetta: I am not sure
Kelli Leitner: They perform tribute shows
Kentar Vendetta: I’ve been in both production companies, single and group bands
Kelli Leitner: Im not fully versed on the trib scene I have seen a few bands.
Kentar Vendetta: Both have their advantages….
Kelli Leitner: I know i enjoy both and its about what you are in the mood for at that time, at least for me.
Kentar Vendetta: Correct and thats what the music is about.
Kelli Leitner: For your bands what do u charge for a show
Kentar Vendetta: Well prices varry
Kelli Leitner: On what specifically?
Kentar Vendetta: which band is performing
Kelli Leitner: Really ?
Kentar Vendetta: Of course
Kelli Leitner: Whats the difference?
Kentar Vendetta: Well new start ups only play for tips, or small venue fees. Your bigger bands, more established range from 3000-10000L. It’s what the market will bear
Kelli Leitner: Did you say $10000 Linden?
Kentar Vendetta: Yes
Kentar Vendetta: Space junkies charge about that. I believe our Rob Zombie Experience is 6000L/show and not all shows are profitable if the tips are poor and right now RZE is doing ok
Kelli Leitner: So if u go around selling the RZE show and never get a tip why wold that not be profitable at 6000 a show?
Kentar Vendetta: If you are asking about the specific costs of the band, you have to speak with the leader. but in our case we have Rob/John-5 (me)/piggy/tommy/2 dances/LDG (living dead girl)/Creeps (robot dancer) to pay each show, plus a promoter and streams costs money as do getting advanced textures and scripts for our stages. Wire Frost, bears those costs, and is slowly paid back over time
Kelli Leitner: Thanks for ur time. I really enjoyed this interview.
I went on to speak with Ortho Vargas owner of OD Designs an a real fun guy; not to be confused with fungi. He was really friendly and informative. Here’s what he had to say in our interview:
Ortho Vargas: Greetings Kelli. Welcome to OD.
Kelli Leitner: Hi this interview is for http://Vibrationsl.wordpress.com/
Ortho Vargas: Fire away kelli 
Kelli Leitner: Ok well let me ask if you’re involved with any bands? If so do you play manage?
Ortho Vargas: I don’t personally play in a band in SL.. but many of our staff members do
Kelli Leitner: I have been heavy into the live of late but im delving into the tribute band scene.
Ortho Vargas: tribute bands are a scream
Kelli Leitner: I have seen some tribute bands and a few were bad.
Ortho Vargas: On the whole.. a bit more of our business is with tribute bands.. but its not LOPSIDED my anymeans. Second Life (SL) is like any other place… good bad.. and in between. People who work on their game, improve.
Kelli Leitner: Would you say this is the center for where most bands come to get equipment?
Ortho Vargas: “do most bands equip with OD”…. MANY do.. and we server lots of different sorts of musicians, from around the world. We tend to see our gear at lots and lots of music events in SL. I think we may be the largest provider of music gear in game today selection wise and in customer base. I use the term “customers” loosely.. most are more like family around here
Kentar Vendetta: Our H2 animation hud is certailny recognized as one of the best in sl
Kelli Leitner: Wat makes a great tribute show?
Ortho Vargas: trib shows are all about the flash….great music…great visuals…great crowd participation. It’s musch of the same as a RL show.
Kentar Vendetta: It’s about good players who can use their tools correctly
Ortho Vargas: you involve the crowd….in technical terms…you need a fantastic stage…
lights…pyros effects..good animations..well made instruments.. etc…
Kelli Leitner: I know that the more visuals a band puts in the higher the lag
Ortho Vargas: That’s always going to be true… SL is always a balance of avatar count and lag. The greatest lag-causing thing in SL is the avatar count by far.
Kentar Vendetta: Any avatar count above 60-70, can get harsh.
Kelli Leitner: If a new band comes in what would u tell them besides good luck buddy to keep lag down?
Ortho Vargas: The normal things…. keep control of your particles.. ao’s.. etc.laggy scripts, scanners and no voice.
Kentar Vendetta: Ask the crowd to not use voice, removed extra crap like huds, particles and cut back on graphics settings. Reduce draw distance, max particles, don’t need high terrain and so on.
Kelli Leitner: I am a fan of music if u read my articles.
Kelli Leitner: I have been hearing alot about band confilct here in SL being just like RL
Ortho Vargas: Personal relationships follow wherever there are people, if thats what you mean
Kelli Leitner: What do u find is most sucessful with bands as far as what u sell here?
Ortho Vargas: Our animation product, the H2 HUD, other than “guitars”
Kelli Leitner: and are u always developing
Kentar Vendetta grins
Ortho Vargas: Always! 2009 has a production scheduled for the next 6 months or so..we work with RL music gear builders like Dean, BC Rich, Traben, Washburn, Parker, etc,etc. We recreate professional gear in SL under exclusive licenses..So much of our gear is RL authorized and approved by the RL companies
As you can see the interview was very informative. Ortho Vargus and his staff were very friendly. If you are looking to buy some instruments to fool around with or to start a band or even to join an existing one, then head down to OD Designs. They really do have some wonderful instrument and effect.
Going on in my quest to find out what goes on behind closed doors, I went on interviewing. Along my way I have been asked to not talk to this group or that group becasue they were once in business together or this or that. My answer usually is I can respect how you feel, however as a journalist I can not choose to exclude one artist over another becasue this is Vibrations. It is specifically designed to get into the music. If its fun, dangerous or even if there is dirt. Vibrations just serves to not bash or defame other artist. The story will be told and thats just how the reading public wants it.
I started my own magazine or blog entitled http://vibrationsl.wordpress.com/ for the people who really want to read about the music scene in Second Life (SL). Please come out to read the stories and support great writing that is here to merely entertain and inform you the reader. I don’t play politics and I write what I experience. I tell it like it is. Get people to read your work and like what you do. So I go on to VIBRATIONSL to create great stories for the artists and readers who want to learn what’s out there and to be entertained by the articles.
