One of the more enjoyable aspects of Life on the Grid is
the tremendous diversity of activities available to the most casual
observer. And nowhere is this
diversity more evident than in the seemingly endless supply of talented musicians
available to entertain SL Residents.
Many of these talented musicians have also done work in RL, and we are
fortunate to be able to enjoy the fruits of their labors in that arena as well. The monthly SL Enquirer Open Mic Singer –
Songwriter competition is one such avenue.
Last month, I had the very real
pleasure of hearing one of SL’s up-and-coming rising stars in the musical
industry here, Rosemary Teal. Her unique
style on the instruments combined with her fun way of engaging with her audiences makes her someone you definitely do not want to miss.
I chatted with Rosemary after her recent win, and she
shared with me some of the challenges and victories of being a Musician in
SecondLife
Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB): So Rosemary, Congratulations on your
win. It was well deserved. Thank you for agreeing to chat with me. To begin with, how long have you been
performing your music, and at what sorts of venues?
Rosemary Teal (RT):
I've been doing music in SL off and on for the last few years. I only do
a handful of regular shows and some one-off shows here and there. Right now you
can find me regularly at Cafe Musique, Mrs. B's Jazz and Blues Club, and
CADENZA.
JB: Who were your music idols, and
those who most influenced your musical style?
RT: I would say my biggest influences are
The Beatles, Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, dodie, and Orla
Gartland. I love other singer/songwriters that make honest music about their
human experience.
JB: What was
the inspiration for the songs you sang at the contest, and why did you choose
those particular songs?
RT: The theme that
evening was school. I did a cover of Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag and I also live-looped an original song of mine, Existential Crisis. I choose songs that speak
to my own experience in school, and in life really. I'd describe myself as
constantly in crisis and never knowing what I'm doing with myself.
JB: How would
you describe the brand that you now represent? To really stand out in the SL
Music scene, you have to have something special about your performances. How do
you define your music style?
RT: I think my
brand is being an honest, authentic hot mess. I just perform what I'm feeling
and I wear my heart on my sleeve. My musical tastes are all over the map, so I
have a big selection of songs that I do in addition to my original music and
live looping performances.
JB: Are there
any truly landmark performances you can recall?
Best Memories performing both in RL and in SL?
RT: I'm still a
fairly small performer in SL. I may not have a big following, but I love seeing
the familiar faces that come by and listen to my original music. I feel so
loved and accepted by the great reception I get when I perform. Having people
request my music and know the lyrics to the songs I've written means the
absolute world to me.
JB: How did you
take the news when they first announced your name as the winner?
RT: I was shocked, to be honest. A friend of mine invited me to come sing. There were so many
other very talented performers and singers that evening, so even to be
considered was surprising.
JB: Rosemary,
there are lots of budding musicians in SecondLife. What have you found it takes
to be a successful musician these days?
RT: When I find
out I'll let you know! For me, I think just having fun and being real. This is SecondLife, but you can still let the real you shine through. I don't put on a
persona and try to be something I'm not. That may not be for everyone, but
that's what works for me.
JB: You’ve been
on the grid for almost half a dozen years now.
What advice could you give to someone who wants to be a songwriter?
RT: I've been writing songs since I was a kid. My songs are a diary of my life experiences. I write when I'm sad, when I'm angry, and when I'm happy. It's just a way to process my feelings. I think if you have something to say or if you need to express pain or joy in your life, just try to put it together. You'll be surprised how much people can relate to and connect with you.
JB: Do you have
any social media sites that folks can visit to see more of you and your work?
RT: My husband and
I run our own art and design business where we sell our photography, handmade
art, and our original music. You can find my original songs there if you want
to purchase them. https://www.tealfishstudio.com/shop/original-music/rosemary-teal-music
We don't use social media because we find it toxic, but I do
have a:
·
Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/rosemaryteal
and I sometimes will stream or post on.
·
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@RosemaryTeal
JB: Do you post
your performance schedule for anyone who wants to catch one or more of your
gigs?
RT: Yes, you can
join my group
(secondlife:///app/group/8fca6f82-9080-883a-690d-bcf594743b54/about) for
updates or see my show calendar (https://tinyurl.com/24c5hrn4) for where I'll
be next.
JB: Is there
anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?
RT: I'm still a
fairly small musician on the platform. I would love to share my music with more
people, so if you like original music, live looping, and acoustic covers, and a
little bit of chaos, I hope you'll consider stopping by one of my shows.
Sooooo..There you have it folks. For the BEST in Musical entertainment, be
sure and click on the link above to see where Rosemary is performing next. It will be a performance that leaves you with
a smile on your face and a song in your heart, guaranteed! And when you go, tell ‘em Josh sent ya. You’ll be glad you did.
Be there! Aloha!!
JB
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