J&J’s Dozen Roses with ERIN68 FROG

The editor and I want to hear what the musicians have to say, so we developed ‘J&J’s Dozen Roses’. Twelve questions we thought the musician should answer. Erin68 Frog has agreed and here is our first installment.

TH- Music in SecondLife® has been slow to start, most artists have only been in SecondLife® less than a year, how long have you been performing and how long have you been performing in Second Life®?

EF - Both Satin and myself have performed in various forms most of our lives. From Satin being sat on his families kitchen table and singing to everyone at 2 years old to growing up playing drums and lead vocals in various bands gigging in NY. I started early also, dabbling in piano then moved onto study flute but vocals were always my area. I studied music in school, taught voice, and also performed in various local bands. Both of us chose other careers to follow as the years past. As for second life, both of us started in second life back in January 2008 at the call of a long time friend, Onlyhalfcrazy Gumbo. We began singing in February here and have been performing in SL ever since.

TH - I know that categorizing a performer is always something that is hard to do, so tell me. How would you categorize your style of music?

EF - I would say both Satin and myself are an interesting mix of styles. Probably our strongest suit because we can mix up and go from singing rock to pop to country then throw in some amazingly sappy songs along the way.Satin will rock the place with some Red Hot Chili Peppers or completely amaze (he still amazes me daily) with a little Josh Groban, both performing equally as well. I'm probably more limited than Satin is in my style. I always say I have a sappy song voice, but I tend to have a powerful voice. Give me a little upbeat fun one and I'm all over it! I'm probably most known for singing pop and country music.

TH - Performing in Second Life® is not easy, most artists do two or three shows a night and it’s not about the money. How many do you think you do in a month and do you want to do more?
EF - We perform often in second life. Being self employed in real estate in real life, these days leaves me alot of free time to do what I've always loved, sing! We perform both as a live duo or solo shows. The majority of our shows are as a team, performing together, but I guess on average, I'd say between the 2 of us we perform between 80 - 100 shows a month. Typically about 20-25 shows a week.

TH - If you’re performing in Second Life® you’re most likely a singer primarily, any other hidden musical talents?

EF - We both over the years have played a mix of instruments. Our voices always being our primary instruments. Satin played drums and keys, and still will sit down at the piano and play and sing on occasion. I played piano and flute for many years, however, I am "wooo", rusty now days! I pull the ole flute out of the closet on occasion, dust it off, and typically laugh to myself as I run a scale (haha).

TH - Most artists have already been in the studio, have you and where can anyone hear or buy a sample of your music?
EF - Many moons ago, we both did some studio time. We are currently working on a CD, and hoping to do some collaberating with some of the amazing writers here in sl. Our hope is to have a CD available early 2009.

TH - Avatars are a large part of Second Life®; some are Frogs, Humans, etc... What is the inspiration for your Avatar or your Second Life® Name?

EF - (thanks for an easy question haha)Both our avatars I based off our real life. Trying as much as possible to resemble us (ummm.. a much younger us!). My name in sl comes from a mix of my real life name, Erin and the year I was born (ohhh I'm so giving away secrets, haha). Satin and I have been involved in music online now for many years in various forms, and my user name always had the 68, so when I came here, knowing there were many here we knew, I left the 68. Frog, well, when joining second life, I had no idea how the last name was used here, but the list was a mile long! I spotted frog, and my reaction was.. 'perfect for a singer'. The old expression.. frog in the throat being a singer seemed fitting.

Satins' name is based from his favorite song and one he performs here in sl. Nights In White Satin by the Moody Blues. Galli is a traditional Italian name, and his family being originally from Italy, he chose it as his last name here in sl.

TH - Everyone has a favorite song, which song is your favorite to perform and which song is most requested?

EF - Satins favorite song is Nights In White Satin by the Moody Blues, which he performs here in sl both in English and in Italian. That or Josh Groban or Michael Buble' songs tend to be his most requested songs.I don't know that I have a favorite song. I love music, from classical to country and everything in between. I've been inspired by many, Olivia Newton John and Wynona Judd to name a couple. My most requested song, and one of my favorites to sing is probably Black Horse And A Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall.

TH - Do you see Second Life® Live Music as a stepping stone in your music career or is this just a hobby?

EF - Definitely just a hobby for us both. Mostly, we are here because of a love and passion for music and singing, and we both love to entertain.

TH - Where do you see yourself musically in a year from now?

EF – Hopefully, with a CD that our friends and family love to listen to and singing here in SL, hopefully putting smiles on their faces and touching their lives with our music.

TH - A lot of venues support Music in Second Life® and they work darn hard to keep music alive in Second Life® but tell me, what is your favorite spot to perform and why?

EF - There are so many we absolutely love performing at. With such a mix of styles that we do, we do both very formal shows to upbeat fun shows. I'd say what influences us most on where we 'love' to perform in sl is the staff/owners of the venues and their involvement. For us, the interaction with the crowd and those at the shows is what makes this amazing to us and what drives us to have fun! I'd say my favorite venue is the Star Bar, owned and operated by Bob Corrigable and Rogue Barzain. Two of the most personable people I know who interact and just have fun with everyone that enters the club. Satins favorite would probably be Sterling Music Park, owned by Cryene Madonna and hosted by Evelynda Bophemet. Both amazingly upbeat people that just love to have fun. He loves it because he can switch from one style to another and just rock the place or touch at everyones hearts!

TH - Some find that managers are a good resource and others like the hands-on approach. Do you have a management team and can you tell us about them or if you like to do it yourself, why?

EF - We do all our booking ourselves. We have used management teams during this past year, however, we found it easier to just handle things ourselves. We have an amazing group of assistants that keep me sane and host all of our shows for us.

TH - And my final question is simple; there are two types of people in Second Life®. The ones that have Second Life® as Second Life® and those that separate the two. Which are you and why?

EF - Thats actually a tough question to answer quickly. Both Satin and myself have been involved in live music on the net for many years. We met via the net also. However, other than live music on the net, neither of us have ever really been gamers. We've made some amazing friends that have become real life friends of ours also and some that we've never met but know so well they've become real life friends. Second life amazes us both with all it offers. It emulates real life in so many ways! However, other than performing, going to listen to other live performers, and my dabbling in building things to relax after shows, we really don't explore SL much. I will say, the expression 'it's a small world' in r/l applies here in sl also. Anywhere we do go, whether it be shopping or an occasional exploration we run into others we know from the music side of things :)

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