Exclusive to NWN, Willow Caldera covers SL's burgeoning live music scene
Are there any among us who wouldn't agree that love is a thing worth singing about? What each of us might want to be sung on the topic is a different question, of course, but Tauri Tigerpaw's repertoire has most of the bases covered. A fitting choice for your musical adventures in the run-up to Valentine's Day, whether to revel in the romance, bask in the bitter or just enjoy the sweetest of voices.
Video shot by Cuno Fluno featuring the song "I'm Yours".
"I tell people I sing about da loooove," she says. "Doesn't matter if it's rock, pop, jazz, blues, country, if it's about love - good, bad, sad, hot, lost, past, future - I'll sing about it. You won't find me at multi-sim theatrical productions. My shows are intimate tequila gatherings - lol. I love the one-on-one with the audience."
"My dogs occasionally sing back-up for me but I refuse to pay them until they join the musicians union," she laughs. "I charge $4000L plus tips, but it actually varies widely. If it's for a cause I support, I'll do benefits and try to throw a couple of those in a month. I'm not in this to make it rich - I just love the music - but I also have expenses, so I try to work with everyone who wants to hire me."
Though she enjoys the variety of different venues, there are several places where you can catch Tauri playing regular slots.
"I love Nancy Blake's Pub (great beer and a great cause they support); SurfSide Hideaway is owned by good friends of mine and it's always a party (they stock my Tauri tequila); and the SL Surfing Association venue is a blast (nothing beats surfers kicking sand at you while you sing). I also loved Red Rock and Mama's when they were operating in SL."
Tauri's inspirations include Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillait and Alicia Keys: "I love John Mayer, James Taylor. I'm a big fan of classic Motown - Smokey Robinson, Al Green. I'm not sure I sound like anyone, although I do try to channel a little Kermit when I do the Rainbow Song."
Tauri has been singing all her life, performing in the real world in everything from full five-piece bands to trios, duos and solo. She made the transition to Second Life in the summer of 2008.
"Don't know why [I sing] - just what comes out of me - the way God made me. Some people dance, some people whittle, some people sing... I've been singing all my life - harmonies with my mom and sister growing up and in bands since high school," Tauri says. "I SL surfed my first 6 months - still do - then I was at a party and heard a guy playing guitar and singing some classic Bread tunes in voice. I was like, WHOA, you can DO that here??"
Tauri uses Shoutcast Winamp free download software and Xtreme Hotspots streams to perform in-world, with a four-channel Alesis mini-mixer that plugs into a USB and a Schurr mic while playing either an Alvarez or a Takamini.
"SL is my chance to perform any music that I want. Also forces me to keep learning new tunes and stretching myself or I get sick of singing the same songs over and over. Plus what's better than doing a gig in my PJ's!"
More about Tauri Tigerpaw:
What
live music groups should Willow Caldera cover for New World Notes?
Suggest groups and performers by contacting her by IM or at
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Her taste in music is somewhat eclectic, ranging from Kings of Leon to Frou Frou and Deftones to Lady GaGa and Avenged Sevenfold.
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