Tag: second life

Live Musicians in SL: Lisa Brune

Our dear friend and FOCUS editor, Susan Aloix, caught up with the vibrant live singer (and our new friend), Lisa Brune, after listening to a set of hers at Isle of Miracles.

Susan: I have a confession. I heard you sing 1.5 songs and my jaw dropped. I thought it must have been the radio. Your voice is amazing. How would you describe your music?

Lisa: I started singing in Second Life in 2011. I found myself spending hours listening to artists here. When I started, I mostly sang material that was within my comfort zone. I found that I didn’t like my voice, but I needed to sing!

Susan: I’m so glad you kept going.

Lisa: I love the shivers and vibes that you feel when you sing. It’s cathartic. It allows a place to release frustrations from my RL job as social worker. But it also gives life to one’s sweet feelings.

Susan: That’s hard to hear. I adore your voice.

Lisa: When I listen to others sing, I notice I’m not necessarily attracted
to artists with performance skills — I find I hunger for the raw emotion in music. I’m clear about what I can do and what I can’t. But over time you start to challenge yourself and start to move out of the comfort zone.

Susan: When combining honesty with art, people are deeply touched.

Lisa: Singers can give something huge that’s not actually just about
their skill. The fake filter comes off and you’re no longer pretending.

Susan: What was it like working with FunkyFreddy Republic?

Lisa: I had the opportunity to fly to the USA for a weekend of concerts with Voodoo Shilton, Max Kleene, TwinGhost, and Funkyfreddy Republic. It was awesome to play all together. Freddy and TwinGhost do music in RL and they try to live from it. SL music is unique as you are not forced to open up your real life. You can choose to only share your music. My adorable “lulus” (Lisa’s fans), they know bits of my RL. We talk and share personal stuff sometimes, but that isn’t what links us.

Susan: They have become part of why you do it.

Lisa: I became also dependent on them.

Susan: Yes, interdependent.

Lisa: I’m not attached anymore to “making a perfect performance” or to be technically perfect. I just feel a responsibility towards my “lulus,” and sometimes I say “I hope you are feeling well, and if not, let’s just feel good for an hour” and yes, I’m speaking to myself when I say that too.

Susan: Yes, they look after you, you look after them.

Lisa: It’s as though we create a cloud so we’re always “together” and we just make it comfortable to give and receive. It’s funny as their requests can change my frame of mind. Sometimes I’m thinking, “Grrr, I’m so angry I WILL SING ROCK” and they ask soft songs. So I say “OK let’s do soft songs then.” And I alternate a bit, but it forces me to calm my own pace. It’s awesome, as the rage I was feeling seeps into another kind of emotion doing a sweet song.The most beautiful thing to hear them say is not actually “I love your voice,” but “when we come, it makes us feel better.”

MEMBERSHIP: DJ Avalon, June 2019

Avalon has become a staple at FOCUS events. If you don’t already know and love her, she’s the voice that sweetly asks you to remember to vote, or to visit the featured photographer’s exhibit in the gallery. She’s a dear friend and super DJ. And, here, we get to know her a little bit better!

Angela: As a DJ, you know what music you like. If you could have lunch with any musician from any era, who would it be?

Avalon: We may not agree on everything, but people can come together in our love of music. As it does for most people, music speaks to me and moves me. SL has given me an opportunity to enjoy and discover music. My first love is blues, but having to choose one artist to have lunch with seems impossible. So, music is about a party, and a party it shall be! I would bring together a GROOVE of musicians and throw a party, not a lunch! Wouldn’t it be amazing to have Mozart and Prince in the same room? Maybe even doing an impromptu jam session? Marilyn Manson said ““Music is the strongest form of magic.” The whole party would be MAGIC!

Angela: What do you enjoy being a DJ?

Avalon: The creativity of SL is key to why we all become so addicted! I have been a manager, hostess, owner, creator, decorator and a DJ. The ability to be creative is endless! In RL, I was a high school teacher and certainly spent many hours talking and sharing. Being a DJ in SL gives me the ability not only to share music, but to talk with people from all over the world and all walks of life. For me, the most significant aspect of being a DJ is the interaction with others. I love to get requests and dedications, and to share new music with others. I especially love being able to create a themed set for a party. DJing has been my favorite adventure in SL!

Angela: How did you learn about SL?

Avalon: I have asked so many people this question! I remember watching a C.S.I. episode in 2010. It was a re-run but it involved a murder in SL. The investigators created avatars and came in world to hunt down the murderer. I had never heard of virtual worlds before and it intrigued me, so I logged in. August 9, 2010 is my REZ day and I have been completely immersed ever since.

Angela: How did you first discover you had a talent for photography?

Avalon: I have always admired photographers in SL. I love to take pictures in RL and have several framed in my home. Taking pictures in SL is truly an art and has steep learning curve. I admire so many artists here and have only just begun my journey. I’m so grateful to those that share their secrets and ideas. The collective spirit of “I’m Too Sexy for this Group” has been refreshing. Often in SL, ventures are extremely competitive, so I appreciate the encouragement.

Angela: Do you have any favorite places to take pics or favorite windlights?

Avalon: The grid is your oyster! So many amazing places to explore,

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” ~ Dr. Seuss

I’ve been so blessed to have people send me places they found inspiring and I have been methodically trying to see them all. This world is exploding with potential! I love to try different windlights but need to keep better track of those I use the most. I wish there was a way to write on the back of the photo the settings I used!

Angela: What inspires you in SL?

Avalon: Other people inspire me! It’s the collective imaginations that catch my breath. A world where everything that exists is built by the users is amazing. What a delight to the senses, with never ending possibilities. So, creating is a great outlet for my imagination and it so relaxing. When I get into creating, I get lost in my imagination.

Angela: And lastly, how has TSFTG (Too Sexy for this Group) affected your SL?

Avalon: I was brought to the group through my good friend, Greg. I first met Angela and Patrick when they attended a disco party I was DJing, and they quickly invited me into their world. I have since then DJed several opening parties for their gallery and attended photography classes. I have also been blessed to meet so many others in the group and love the artistic sharing that happens every day. I am so excited to learn more and grow as a photographer.

Avalon DJ’s at most of FOCUS’ events, but you can also find her around the grid and, lately, at Big Daddy’s 80’s Club. Visit her at her SocialVR site.