Music Notes: Greg Colburn and Pillowfish

Recently, Greg Colburn (aka Greg Colossus), via a note to his group, announced his retirement from music in SL. He began performing in SL in 2006 as Greg Colossus. Frustrated that he couldn't choose his own last name, he petitioned the Lindens to have it be so. They finally agreed and Greg Colburn (his real life name) was born in SL.

Sadly, I didn't become aware of him until early 2010. I had the pleasure of meeting him in person and seeing him perform live at the Hartford Jam last May. He is a terrific guy. All of Greg's scheduled shows were cancelled as of the time of his announcement but he still planned to attend and play at the April Jam in Maryland. As of 15 April, Greg Colburn will log in "once in awhile," but will not perform. He is pursuing his budding music career in real life and has many happy things happening personally, as well. Greg will most definitely be missed and remembered as one of the many fine performers in SL.

On a happier note, Pillowfish returned to SL for a mini tour of the Internet. Their return performance was at the venue Woodstock. Pillowfish is a rare treat as they are usually quite busy performing and recording in RL. They are currently in the process of recording their second album but to the delight of their fans, they decided to take a break for a spell. Pillowfish consist of Thom Martinsyde and Rowena Sideways. They are a UK-based progressive folk duo and their sound is uniquely Celtic to the ear. Their instruments include a 10-string bouzouki, viola, fiddle and guitar, joined by their melodic voices singing perfect harmonies. Keep an eye open for them over the coming month. They are well worth a listen.

Attending the event at Woodstock, I was saddened to learn that it was one of the last shows at that venue. Others played at this farewell concert to a most loved venue. Woodstock symbolized everything 60's, hippies and, of course, Woodstock. The ambiance and decor was truly psychedelic and beautiful. I personally will miss this awesome venue.

Source: Greg Colburn's picture from SLMusicListener on Youtube

Shellie Sands

They Had Him COVERED

From the man who brought us The ORIGINALS and Monsters series of events, once again, POL Arida orchestrated yet another unique even in the SL music community. This event, titled "COVERED," can only be called a tribute to the man and his music. On Sunday, 28 November, at the Idle Rogue venue, 10 enormously talented musicians came together, each covering one or more of POL's original songs.

The event was coordinated by Ms. Elura Galacia, an avid fan, who played the gracious host throughout the two and a half hour event. The venue was donated by ChryBlind Scribe and the all musicians donated their time, performing free of charge.

Opening up the show with 'Brief Encounter' were Lexie Luan and Zorch Boomhauer. This was followed with the pairing of Zorch and Nya Raymaker, Zorch streaming from the US and Nya from Germany. They performed the very poignant song 'The Suicide of Jane,' a song based on a RL experience of POL's.

Next up was Hazideon Zarco, another well known musician, doing his rather interesting rendition of the song '1,' a song about collective and singular responsibility in the world. Taking the stage next was the talented DeadEye Foggarty, who did a very POL-like version of 'Gotta Get Out of Here.' With a slightly slower tempo, DE did the song incredible justice. He next performed 'The Last Song,' ad libbing POL's story about this song with his own version of POL's encounter with the dreaded Joneses and the awful spaghetti Bolognese, as well as the rather less than satisfying consequences of the actions on that chaotic evening. Well done, DE, very creative indeed.

This was followed by a Lexie solo cover of 'Mother of Three' accompanied by Zorch on guitar. Lexie commented that she chose this song because it has personal meaning for her. Most especially, it has deep meaning for POL as it is written about his own mother, widowed at a young age leaving her alone to fend for herself and her 3 boys. Zorch then performed 'Love Confessions of a Serial Killer' with Lexie accompanying, followed by 'Happy Go Lucky Girl' with a very Zorch twist.

Rising to the occasion next was the inimitable Grace McDunnough performing 'Welcome to Winter' in her sultry style as only Grace can do. Following Grace was "bad boy" himself, BlindBoy Gumbo. BB commented that the first time he heard POL he thought he was rubbish; the second time, worse than rubbish. Fortunately, he came around by the third, fourth or fifth time (BB, why did you keep coming back?). BB played 'Catch the Wind.' Imagine POL a la Gumbo, slide guitar and all!

Once the piano movers got her piano into place on the stage, Phemie Alcott did a beautiful piano version of POL's recent song 'Winning.' Strum Diesel followed Phemie on the piano, leading with one of his own songs and ending with a beautiful segue into POL's 'Passion.' It should be noted that Strum performed while standing on his head on the keyboard!

Next the mastermind of this fantastic event, POL Arida himself took the stage. He performed a handful of songs not covered by any of the other musicians, including, appropriately, 'Screaming Song for a Retard,' which is a personal commentary on how the laws treat mentally retarded adults who unwittingly commit a crime. He also performed 'War Zone,' 'Immune to Collusion,' 'Home' and 'The Birds Fall Down.'

Wrapping up the show, POL commented on the interesting spin the others had done with the covers of his songs. He also noted that during his time performing in SL, not only did his fan base grow, but it included other musicians, which has to be the highest compliment and honor any musician can have. He stated that in the virtual world of SL, music as an art form has not been forgotten or ignored but rather embraced as a true artistic expression, with words that actually convey ideas, thoughts and feelings, contrary to commercial mainstream music.

This event was truly a success and clearly demonstrated the mutual admiration among the musicians here in SL. I look forward to possible future events like this.

Shellie Sands

(edit, some days after the event, it was made clear Pol Arida was not behind the event)

Tart Gallery Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

It's hard to believe Tart Gallery is 3 already! The Gallery, owned by artist ByrneDarkly Cazalet, is a gallery with an aim toward showcasing new artists, both from RL and SL.

Artists have showings on a quasi-monthly basis, with some exhibits holding over into a second month. Each new exhibit is highlighted by an opening party to browse and meet the artist, complete with DJ music and dancing.

On 14 July, the Anniversary Party took place. This month's featured artist is Lisa Petrucci with her exhibit "Kickass Kuties."

Lisa was a gallery curator in Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts, eventually relocating to New York City where she was the director of the Pat Hearn Gallery and later the Bess Cutler Gallery. Disenchanted with the contemporary art world, she moved to the west coast, where she got involved with the burgeoning lowbrow art scene and eventually settled in Seattle after meeting her partner in crime and soulmate, Mike Vraney.

Over the years Lisa’s obsession with pop culture grew. Collecting old toys, pin-up art and vintage magazines ultimately inspired her own artwork and she found the perfect format for her imagery – the round bark border of the souvenir wood plaque. "Each slab of wood is lovingly painted with the things she enjoys most and celebrate femininity and all that is cute."

Lisa is now considered to be a part of the Pop Surrealism movement and has been featured in many diverse publications, including her own deluxe art book “Kickass Kuties – The Art of Lisa Petrucci” published by Dark Horse.

For more on Lisa Petrucci, visit her website at http://www.lisapetrucci.com. Her paintings can be viewed inworld at the Slustleria sim at (68, 234, 28).

Shellie Sands

Creative Challenges and Innovative Ideas at the UWA

The University of Western Australia (UWA), founded by Sir John Winthrop Hackett, is a leading Australian research university and has an international reputation for excellence, innovation and enterprise. A member of the Australian 'Group of Eight' research universities, it is also among Australia's leading research universities. Sitting on the banks of the Swan River, the UWA Crawley campus is the oldest in Western Australia and among the most picturesque in the nation with its grand sandstone and terracotta buildings sitting among elegant heritage-listed gardens. The UWA in SL consists of three sims, including UWA, University of Western Australia and WASP Land.


Two competitions are running simultaneously through August 2010, the Imagine Challenge and the Flagship Challenge. The Imagine Challenge focuses on Arts and Design, while the Flagship Challenge focuses on Architecture. The competitions are taking place monthly with prizes awarded each month.

I recently visited the 3D Art & Design Challenge for the Imagine Challenge segment of the competitions. Even the landing point is unique in it's design with a swirling circle of color and an image resembling an eye. The Imagine Challenge focuses on limitless imagination. The challenge is to create a work of art using any form, shape, influence or medium. Awards are given in multiple categories. All non-winners will receive a share of the monthly pool beginning with $L6000 and increasing with donations to the tip jar at the Imagine Gallery.

The artwork is absolutely incredible! The designs range from ethereal to surreal to abstract. Skillful use of color and sculpties applies to these magnificent creations. There are sculptures both real and abstract, 3D pictures, a solar system complete with rotation and sound, and a piece which at first looks like colored pole lamps but is really shapes connected to five the effect of flowers in glass--at least that was my interpretation, perhaps not the intention of the artist. There is even a cosmic egg with what looks like an circular embryo in the center. All are very ingenious and creative pieces of art and a must see for all.

Shellie Sands