I run the Slackstreet and co-run the Shalida sim, where we've built various sets for machinima (the sim is a backlot); it's home to KSSX, my podcast network, many other RL orgs that embrace DIY and democratic media, and also Multiverse Records and the waterfront stage. Also on Shalida will be home to the Hipcast Convention Center (phase one), being designed by the ever talented folks at KUSH. I'm not a builder or scripter but an 'arranger' heh. I work with obscenely talented folks.
Some of you may know that I'm the new owner of Multiverse, a Record Label started by Erik Pasternak some time ago, that has on its label such talented peeps like Foxyflwr Cure, Paradise Popinjay, Keiko, Juel Resistance and others.
One of the things that I hold dear is helping people, getting their art out there, and working hard so that people can profit from their art if they so desire.
MVR has all new listening stations for the artists, as well as a listening station for the Association of Music Podcasting's weekly show, AMPed, as well as a new kiosk for Creative Commons music (I'm an officer of the Free Culture group). A podcasting listening station will be coming soon.
We are also re-introducing a brand new virtual CD object (that folks may have purchased previous versions of), so residents can pick up songs and/or video from their favorite artists.
But we want to take it a step further. Since our 2nd/1st lives blur sometimes, we hope that the work we do at Multiverse can redefine the aging music industry. Our tagline at the moment is "prototyping the future of music"... just because we're in SL at the moment, doesn't mean we can't attempt to conceptually change the world. (here's to the crazy ones!)
So, we're opening things up. Think of the record label of tomorrow like a FedExKinkos. Or an ad agency. Perfect to walk in and pick up DIY toolkits, or use us for professional services. The artist's choice. And we'll continue to work to bring the existing and future MVR artists to various venues and major events in and out of world. Artists who are a part of MVR who sell their virtual CDs or merchandise retain all their proceeds from sales or tips. No splits on the retail front. We believe that some exclusivity must shed and some freedoms need to increase.
Finally, one of the other things we want to do is make sure ALL music and musicains in SL get the attention they deserve.
We're starting a new community listening kiosk named "SListen', available to any artist in SL. Sending us your favorite track, we'll get it in to the rotation so people can preview your work. Like many others, we're working on the hooks to the web and iTunes so that people can buy the RL CDs or visit an artist's MySpace world.
I wrote briefly about this on my RL blog:
http://blog.ericrice.com/blog/_archives/2006/4/10/1877278.html
... but it's pretty simple. All music available for preview from several places in world, and even in those offline venues like my RL show (or podcast to be buzzword compliant
) or anywhere else.I'm still new (reasonably speaking--late 2005), and have much to learn. I absolutely am grateful for a lot of the help and support from a ton of people I've met along the way. Sometimes, I think I'll never know what I'll encounter in life, whether it's a first one or second one.
I'm just glad I have the chance to live it. Or them. Whichever.
Best,
Spin Martin/Eric Rice
spinmartin.com | ericrice.com | multiverserecords.com
