What Kind of Music Do We Need More of in the Metaverse?

On his blog, DJ DoubleDown Tandino is running a very useful poll for SL musicians and listeners alike:  Which Music Styles are Missing/Lacking in Second Life?  So far it's a small sample, but even then I'm surprised by the top choice.  With enough voters, we'll hopefully get a halfway decent impression of under-served audience demand.  

As for Mr. Tandino himself, he's spinning hip hop, rock, and dance tunes right at this very moment until 5pm SLT at the Sin City Music Club.  Stop by and tell him Hamlet sent you.  [Direct SLurl teleport at this link] Image credit: Adec Alexandria.

Comments

[Eirik Haefnir]

Norwegian Black Metal :P

There's tons of metal clubs, but seriously. The American 'MTV' style of metal seems to be the only one that gets played in SL.

[Torley]

Dubstep! Wub-wub-wub.

[truthseeker]

Dubstep?!?!

Sorry, Torley, but you can't throw a rock in SL & *not* hit a dubstep DJ right now!! Don't get me wrong, I dig the sound, it's just not too hard to find...

No, what we REALLY need more of is, um... Klesmer?

[Arwyn Quandry]

On TSL, pretty much any music style besides Rap and Hip-Hop is needed. There are only one or two popular clubs, and all (both?) of them play only urban music. I have pretty eclectic tastes, so virtually anything else would be awesome, especially some happy hardcore or gabber.

[Sisou]

I havent seen that many hip-hop clubs. I would say metal, rock, techno/dance are the most dominant. As a Dj I would love to see Soul and old school R&B represented more.

[rikomatic]

Back in 2007 I did my own sampling of musical acts in SL to see what genres were most predominant and which were missing. I wonder if much has changed? Check it out here: http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2007/03/your_music_your.html

[Sarah]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Sarah

http://www.lyricsdigs.com

[Doubledown Tandino]

Thanks Wagner(as well as Rik's 2007 surveys too).

What's cool is that this has turned into conversations inworld beyond the poll.

Here's a few of my extra random findings:

-The 3 most performed music genres in SL are jazz, acoustic rock/folk, and electronica/house (with blues following right behind). They have always remained steady as the most frequent of shows and have always had the largest of fanbases. These genres show that there's a higher sophistication and intellect of music listeners in SL than in RL. In RL the most popular genre is mainstream top40 (obviously).

-In relation to jazz, SLers have always been very supportive and appreciative of 'good jazz', modern jazz, and fusion (rather than smooth jazz and standards).

-In 2007, there were more music shows that were in the metal, industrial, ebm, and goth categories than there are in 2009.

-In 2007, there were more DJs playing top 40 and mainstream radio hits (the mtv and radio tunes). What is excellent about the SL music scene, is that the crowd wants something unique and original sounding. I'm glad that the mainstream label-pushed radiohit music does not have a large following inworld, although there's enough of it in SL to say we're not lacking in those DJ events.

-Hiphop has generally remained the same, rare. However, in 2007 there were several very talented live hiphop/rap artists in SL. Currently there are no regular hiphop performers. Personally, I'm suprised by this. I wouldve though there would be a large hiphop following/movement in SL, but there hasn't been.

-Dubstep has been stedily rising in SL, mainly by several very talented DJs, MCs, and crews pushing and supporting the sounds. I'm very thrilled and suprised how much dubstep has taken off in SL. Since 2007, the dubstep, drumnbass, and reggae scenes have all risen to become popular in SL and yet still has stayed underground enough to keep that RL vibe of the UK grime sounds.

-Its very rare that a live singer or coversong musician in SL will cover a motown, funk, or disco.

-Generally, then and now, musicians have consistantly pumped out original material. I do believe that SL is actually a correlation for some music artists to create more original music. The SL audience is there, waiting for em, so I think that encourages musicians to continue to thurst to create new material and perform it inworld.

-Many music fans in SL (much more than in RL) are very receptive to eclectic, unique, or fusion/experimental sounds. The crowd that enjoys the random leftfield music is pletiful and appreciative.

-Celtic, and a fanbase for celtic has made an appearance.

-DJs spinning oldies (50s, 60s, or prior) has lessened.

-There are not really any punkrock shows or followings in SL, however if there were a DJ spining punk regularily, there'd be a large crowd.

-There's not as much big band, swing, and standards performed as I wouldve thought there would've been by now. The rare occurance where a singer performs some standards usually goes over as a massive hit and also draws many of the upper-elite of SL to the event.

-Strangely there seems to not be much country anymore... or rather, people performing country music. There was more in 2007 than there are now. Country is the only music genre generally no one is asking for more of, however, the several country musicians in SL that have been doing it in SL for a few years have a large, loyal following. The country/western original music artists we have in SL are 1000x better than any RL country music in my opinion.

-Also strangely, many many DJs spin electronic music, however 80s and 90s classic techno is rarely played.

-Some of the 'other' music genres SLers say we need more of: terror polka, monk-hop, and Lindencore... whatever those are.

[Nexus Burbclave]

As large as the Steampunk community is in SL, I'm a bit surprised that I've not run into any original musicians or djs doing stuff in the vein of Abbney Park and the Vernian Process. Perhaps I'm just not looking hard enough? It would seem like any one doing that sort of music would have an instant fan base.

[Hamlet Au]

"Currently there are no regular hiphop performers. Personally, I'm suprised by this."

Me too, you'd think this is a perfect medium for it. Maybe the music community needs to do more active outreach to hiphop artists?

[Doubledown Tandino]

Yes Hamlet. I totally agree. SL is the PERFECT venue/situation for a hiphop performer, lyricist, rapper. One person, the rapper/performer is all that's needed along with the backup beats.

One weird thing about HipHop... in RL and in SL, there are no cover hiphop artists.... strange huh, but would you go see a hiphop cover rapper? I have a feeling a performer that did covers of hiphop tunes would just turn the show into a sing-a-long....

Another weird thing is that the hiphop artists that DID make an appearance and had some perormance in sl, they were literally dragged into SL to perform... they didn't make it on their own accord.

... so all in all, SL and hiphop is ready to make a move. the hiphop sl fans standing behind several talented new sl rappers would start something big.

[YP]

I can always find DJ's to my liking but can I find live music to my liking?.. hell no.

If your tastes are country, folk and jazz you've got it made.

Where are the pop groups? SL (and I) need more pop!

[Fleep]

There's no choice for bluegrass/folk - which is NOT the same as country! ;)

[Hamlet Au]

I wonder if hiphop artist Vandal would be into performing in SL, he let a machinima maker put one of his cool tracks into a video:

http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2008/06/becoming-the-ch.html

[helena whittlesea]

re: hiphop/rap --- not sure if he's performed lately but there IS at least one hiphop/rap musician I'm aware of in SL, his SL name is Kafka Dinzeo, real name Mic Rocka (his SL/RL names are associated many places online). It's been a while, but I've been to a couple of his live shows in-world and they were definitely worthwhile.

More specifically, to the person who said you never hear covers of hiphop - well, you do, if you know where to look and listen. ; ) The guy, above can be seen/heard covering hiphop right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JplOXR-Gx84

(Note that both his SL and RL performing names are used with that clip.)

About Motown in SL - it's not all she does by any means (personally I especially LOVE when she sings traditional jazz/vocal standards) but SL musician TJ Oanomochi does do some Motown stuff, along with a broad range of other popular tunes that include pop, R&B, and even some 'new' country (a la Shania Twain, Faith Hill). TJ, like other SL musicians, has a RL background in music and you can sure tell - she's absolutely one of the best voices and talents inworld. For starters, listen to her interpret the Etta James classic 'At Last' and you'll see exactly what I mean. Incredibly supple, well-controlled and pitch-perfect tones.

And for anyone interested in hearing music from circa 1920's and 1930's, a style of music sometimes called stride blues or ragtime jazz (think Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, et al) -- you can hear this kind of music regularly in SL, consummately performed live by one very talented musician and his guitar(s): Arman Finesmith. Wow, is this guy ever the real deal! Incredibly talented.

I go to a lot of live shows in SL, and of course there's a lot of "sameness" (as in RL). But if you look a little more closely, there are also some real gems, fantastically talented artists doing something a little off the beaten path - which, of course, seems perfectly fitting for SL.

- helena whittlesea

[Gabrielle Riel]

Um....two words...

Radio Riel (http://radioriel.org)

I , and my staff of 7 Presenters (DJs), play *everything*. You name it. We have it.

I just played a gig that was nothing but Cornish Folk Music last week.

I've always been shocked at the complete lack of creativity and diversity shown by "average" Second Life DJs. But hey, their shortsightedness has been my gain. I now own a thriving radio station and DJ service for the people in SL that like variety. :-)