J&J’s Dozen Roses with ZED ESSEX

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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. Zed Essex has agreed and here is our current installment.
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Th: Music in Second Life® has been slow to start, most artists have only been in Second Life® less than a year, how long have you been performing and how long have you been performing in Second Life®?

ZE: A Little over 2 years now.

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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?

ZE: Well the music I play is of various styles! But I guess Rock Acoustic Singer sums it up in a misleading little package!

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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?

ZE: I play between 20 and 30 shows a month, I would like to get that up to around 40 if possible, not including charity events and promotional stuff.

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

ZE: I can play Guitar, Bass Guitar and drums quite well. I mostly use guitar synth for keyboard sounds but I can do some basic piano / keyboard stuff as well. I used to play saxophone when I was in High school but I haven't played in years, always scouring the pawn shops for an alto sax in good shape for a good price tho!

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Th: Most artists have already been in the studio, have you and where can anyone hear or buy a sample of your music?

ZE: There are some original songs of mine on my myspace page http://www.myspace.com/zedessex. If you go to Broadjam.com and search for "shadows of the Vague" you will find some songs for purchase there as well. I will make a full length CD that includes some already recorded material, and I am currently working on a new project as well.

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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?

ZE: I wanted a name that could be represented by one letter! The last name I chose because it was short and Essex, is a county in the province of Ontario Canada.

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Th: Everyone has a favorite song, which song is your favorite to perform and which song is most requested?

ZE: I usually have the most fun performing something I just learned, especially if it took a while and a lot of work to master it. I think my most requested songs are the ones by The Cure. My friend Pansy always requests songs by someone called Nusrat, but I don't know any.

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

ZE: I play primarily to pay for the land tier on my 3/4 of a sim in Spidermouse.

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Th: Where do you see yourself musically in a year from now?

ZE: I don't know, and I don't want to know! That would take all the mystery out it!

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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?

ZE: I have a few favorite spots, I like Gia's, and the Vera Italia sims as well. I have just begun playing at The Bliss Reloaded, that's a good spot as well. Club Neptune is another really good one, there are a lot of places where I feel very welcome, The Frog and Toad in Eternia is another place I can't wait to get back to. Red Rock is in that category as well. There are places I don't play at anymore that I miss like Pegleg Saloon, you'd think it would be scarier playing for vampires! I used to play at Demonic as well, I think I will look them up and see if they have anything for me!

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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?

ZE: If you have a friend you can trust and they just manage YOU and YOU alone, that can be cool. Some of the Best musicians in SL work that way. Max Kleene has Joyus who does an amazing job for him as an example. I have a few people that get me bookings at different places, Annieblue Octavia books me in a few places. However I think it's never a good idea to get involved with these management companies that handle a bunch if different musicians. It gets political, even if they swear to you it won't! In my experience when you rely on these types of agents you end up with fewer shows not more shows, and you end up alienating yourself from the people that run the venues. Even the management groups that don't charge the artists any fees or have optional fees, often "play favorites" when booking artists, because they want to kiss up to them and make them feel important! Trust me I have belonged to two such groups, and even when they mean well the results are negative more often than not. In short MANAGEMENT GROUPS ARE TO BE AVOIDED!!!

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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?

ZE: Well this is always a difficult one to answer. I guess besides the music and a very short list of friends I've met here, all other aspects of my Real life and Second life are separate.

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ZED ESSEX "I'll Give It A Shot"

by julieanne rau

Jenny Heying welcomed Zed to the stage by saying that, “Zed is Gia’s fav son”. Next thing I heard was, “Check, check… ok lets start the Party” and with that, Zed Essex belted out “The One I love” by REM and then right into “Bang the Gong” by T-Rex. With only his acoustic electric guitar as accompaniment, this Canadian Boy took control of the venue. Playing anything off his play list, his rough voice is suited to some but not all the music he played. I spotted “China Girl” by David Bowie on his play list and sent him an IM. I figured the crunch on his voice would do well with this song and I was right. His best performance of the night was that song. So it got me wondering about his song selection and later on I asked him, “do you think how your voice will fit into songs or do you just like to play what you like?” I love his answer so without paraphrasing it, “Well to be honest, I never think things like “man I would sound great singing that” I just try a song out and if I think people who like that song would enjoy how I am managing to do it, I give it a shot”, he told me!

He went on and said, “I realized a long time ago that it’s no fun to play your favorite song if the people aren’t into it”. WOW, I have known a few musicians in my time, some talk about selling out or keeping it real. I finally met one that understands music is for everyone! He also told me, “But at the same time I like to introduce people to songs they may not have heard….” That led me to the topic of original music, if you have met a musician more than likely you have met a song writer. Zed is starting to record his own music now and I personally can’t wait to hear it. I didn’t hear any original songs during his performance, it was the all request night and the crowd was much diversified in what they wanted. Everything from Concrete Blonde’s “Joey” to “Wonder Wall” by Oasis, it was a free for all night. By the way, where were you? The venue only had 17 people on it and I was disappointed that most didn’t get the opportunity to see someone that should be a staple diet here in the SL music scene.

Zed only plays in Second Life®, so if you’re interested in seeing him perform you should get into his group and find his next location. What is next for him? I suggested he should sell a demo or two, I know I would be interested. He told me, “Well that’s the plan, there is a new system in SL that allows you to play the songs in-world and also to download them so you can have them on your computer, When the CD is complete it will be available that way as well”. After you listen to him, just remember one thing …. The line-up is behind me!

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ZED ESSEX "Straight Up Rock"

by jenny heying

I've seen Zed Essex at least a dozen times and keep meaning to do a review of him, but just never seem to get it done. I was impressed with him the first time I heard him and have had him play at my club a few times, but when it comes to doing a review, I don't know, my timing sucks I guess.

Zed has been around Second Life awhile (Aug 2006) and to survive the music industry here that long, you have to have something going for you. He's a straight forward guitar player and doesn't use backing tracks. That's a plus in my books. His voice is strained, in a rock n roll kind of way and it adds to the texture coming through the mic.

Classic rock is Zed's forte. He can play modern stuff too, but he shines on the older tunes. Opening with Marcy Playground, Depeche Mode and Pink Floyd gives you an idea of what Zed is all about. Zed pulls no punches; he delivers his set list without frills or gimmicks and if you love a singer/guitar player that knows what he's doing, then Zed is your man. In front of a small but definitely appreciative crowd at Zurich City Opera House, Zed put himself on display.

Zed displays his talents constantly, particularly on slower songs like Alison and Sonnet. The raspiness of his voice will drive a few women crazy, okay me, lol, but he holds true to the artists he covers. An accomplished guitar player, Zed masterfully accompanies himself. My only complaint is that it's acoustic and I'd love to here him on electric guitar. On more uptempo songs, Zed still delivers. With On and On (Longpigs) and Lost in Space (Aimee Mann), Zed's voice carries. He doesn't miss a beat and he's eager to please. Pleasing is something we come to second life for and Zed is quite happy to do it. Musically of course.

Since I'm a big Bowie fan, hearing Zed cover China Girl was a plus. He took it full steam. I hope he adds a few more Bowie covers.

And if Zed isn't talented enough putting himself on stage for us, he also writes. Dance is an Essex penned tune and it fits with Zed's abilities. He better keep writing and throwing a few more of his own songs into the mix.

Zed doesn't dazzle you with kewl backing tracks, unusual sounds or any other "extras", he just gives you a guitar and himself. Plain and simple. If you want to be impressed with something other than straight forward classic rock, kewl, but if the Beatles, Tragically Hip, Soft Cell and a little Plain White T's thrown in will make your day, then take in a Zed Essex show. You'll be so glad you did.

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