Soooo…I was attending what is fast becoming THE best event where you can hear up and coming musical talent in the SL Music Scene. The monthly SL Enquirer Singer Songwriter Open Mic competition, right outside the SL Enquirer Offices: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Akamai/220/32/22. The most recent winner, Eric Steffensen, beat out some stiff competition to take the award for the month of June, 2025. Eric wowed the judges with his musical interpretation and creative skills as a performer. I caught up with Eric after the contest, and he graciously agreed to chat with me about his journey as a musician.
Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB): First off, let me congratulate you on your
outstanding performance in the SL Enquirer Open Mike Songwriters Contest. And thanks for agreeing to talk to our SL
Enquirer readers about your experience.
So tell me, Eric, how did you get started as a musician, and when?
Ericsteffensten.mistwalker (EM): I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t
making music. My family didn’t just sing together—we harmonized like it was a
team sport. I started guitar in college and was mentored by a close friend who
wrote songs. In the late 90s I figured out how to record myself and started
posting my music to mp3.com. Naturally, I found my way into SL’s music scene.
It feels like home. It’s a space where
people truly show up for the music and for each other, and that kind of
connection still amazes me.
JB: What is your favorite Musical
Genre?
EM: Haha, this is
a tough question because I perform music from a lot of genres. I just love
music and don’t try to put myself in a box. But if my iPhone could talk, it
would probably say, “Are you going through an emotional 90s alt-rock phase
again?” The truth is, those songs still speak to me, and I love reimagining
them for today’s audience.
JB: How did you come to select your pieces for the Open Mic Songwriters competition?
EM: I was doing my best to fit the chosen theme, which was LGBT pride. I had recently learned "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen and it instantly felt like the right fit. Freddie Mercury embodied both queer pride and rock brilliance, so it felt like the perfect tribute.
JB: Do you
perform in RL as well?
EM: Yes, but not
nearly as often as in SL. I’ve tried to start a few bands over the years. My
brothers and I recently started one called Steffenwulf. We’re calling it Yacht
Rock with fangs. It's still in the early stages, so check in with me in about a
year.
JB: What has been the most memorable performance of your career so far?
EM: There have been a lot. I’ve been to several RL jams with SL performers and loved jamming in person with so many folks from our community. Played a few house concerts that were amazing. But the most memorable was a Facebook Live show during COVID. It was raw, honest, and strangely intimate—like we were all clinging to the music together.
JB: Who were
your musical idols, and have been the greatest influencers of your musical
style?
EM: So many. My
musical DNA is a mix of Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M., Weezer, Foo Fighters, Eric
Clapton, James Taylor, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and my mentors—friends about
20 years older than me. If Cat Stevens and Stephen Page from Barenaked Ladies
had a musical baby raised on 90s alt-rock… yeah, that’s probably me.
JB: What has
been your biggest challenge breaking into the Music Industry?
EM: There’s a lot
of competition out there, and most people default to something familiar.
Helping them take a chance on something new—from a guy singing his heart out on
an avatar stage—that’s the challenge. But when someone connects with a song I
wrote? That’s the win I’m always chasing.
JB: What advice
would you give to any aspiring musicians out there today?
EM: Never stop challenging yourself. There are so many ways to grow—singing, songwriting, performing, connecting, branding. There’s always something to work on. Also—tune your guitar before a show. Seriously. Learned that one live in front of 30 avatars.
JB: So
Eric. Could you share with us some of
the more interesting venues you have played recently?
EM: One of the
most interesting shows I’ve played recently was at the opening of an exhibit
called Sea Swept at the HeArt & Soul Gallery. It features photography by SL
artist Joanna Kitten and runs through July and August 2025. Her work captures
soft coastal scenes and quiet, reflective moments—like postcards from dreams
you almost remember. I performed surrounded by her images, and something about
the space made it feel like the songs were echoing just a little more deeply.
Visit the Gallery here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Durdane/204/205/78
And then there’s Etta’s—a welcoming, open-air venue were I
play every other Friday. The crowd is relaxed but always dialed in, and I never
know if the set will lean acoustic or turn into a punk singalong. That kind of
unpredictability is part of the fun.
Check Etta’s out here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Playa%20Brava/22/227/27
JB: Where else could
our SL readers go who want to hear you live and in concert?
EM: Look for my
name in the SL event listings. You can also catch me at one of my regular
shows—dad jokes included—playing everything from Cat Stevens to Tears for
Fears:
·
Etta's every other Friday at 5pm
·
Guthries Folk Club every other Saturday at 12pm
·
The Merry Prankster every other Sunday at 6pm
·
Cuddles Live Music Beach every Wednesday at 5pm
·
Villa Lobos, second Tuesday of every month at
9pm
JB: Do you have
any Social Media Sites out there where readers can learn more about you?
EM: Yes I do, as a
matter of fact. Please direct yoru
attention to the links below:
·
https://www.youtube.com/ericsteffensen
· https://www.facebook.com/ericsteffensensingersongwriter
JB: Is there
anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers.
EM: Honestly, I
just feel lucky. I get to show up, crack some weird jokes, play music I love,
and somehow… people keep coming back. I don’t know if that says more about you
or me, but I’m grateful either way. So if you ever need a place to laugh,
listen, or just hang out with good music—you know where to find me.
So there you have it, folks. Eric brings his unique skills as a musician
to a venue near you. Sheck out his
schedule and be sure to catch this man’s performance. You’ll be glad you did. And when you do, tell ‘em Josh sent ya.
Be there! Aloha!
v/r JB
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