the (virtual) life and death of niko donburi

2009-01-07T16:35:00.000-06:00

The End of Niko Donburi

2008-12-06T22:25:00.001-06:00

A letter to all fans of Niko Donburi from the human behind the avatar:

I never thought my virtual music career would end this way, as a victim of murder. Then again, I suppose that's how rock stars become immortal, so it should not have been unexpected. I just wasn't expecting it to happen so soon. There I was, minding my own business at Esch's gallery opening when I was stabbed in the back with some sort of spear like weapon by an unknown assailant. The woman next to me saw it happened and evidently died of a virtual heart attack.

For a long time there were concerns, rumors, that the Lindens were plotting on a way to get rid of their biggest critic next to Prokofy. Every time they would make a change to the grid or SL, a song would soon be produced lampooning them. For a while it was thought that I would be permabanned, particularly when word got out that I was in possession of a contraband t-shirt which featured the Second Life hand. Pathfinder had it in for me from the days of SLCC2007 when I blackmailed him into giving me a tip whilst busking in the halls.

There were other enemies too, of course. Sim owners at whose venues I refused to perform. Crazed fans miffed that I wouldn't play all of their Second Life favorites (you know who you are). But if you ask me, I think it was the Lindens taking revenge for me revealing SL secrets a certain Linden revealed to me shortly before he himself was eliminated from the world he helped create.

Rather than delete everything here, I have decide to keep it up for all those past, current and future fans who get fed up with the quirks of Second Life, and Second Life drama, and just want to smile, laugh or remember an early time. A time when Second Life was something new, something incredible.

Your virtual friend,

Niko

Interview with Rosa Gardner: SLocial butterfly

2008-12-05T22:31:00.000-06:00

[20:26] Niko Donburi: Also, I'm doing an interview series with my friends in SL. Care to take part?

[20:26] Rosa Gardner: whats the interview about ?

[20:27] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose "Gardner" to be your last name in SL?

[20:27] Rosa Gardner: oh ...hehe well ....*blush* okay here goes...

[20:28] Rosa Gardner: I used to play "the sims online" game.. where there was a NPC character the gardner.. he ran arurnd in yellow pants and red suspenders and nothing else. it was a ongoing joke .. we plant LOTS of flowers in the game to keep the sexy gardner around. when i made my name in sl .. I couldnt resist the inside joke to some of my TSO friends who came over too to "finally get the gardner" :D

[20:30] Niko Donburi: lol
[20:30] Niko Donburi: Can I quote you on my blog?

[20:30] Rosa Gardner: sure.

Update

2008-12-05T22:05:00.000-06:00

Just an FYI as to what I've been up to:

I've uploaded my fourth machinima to YouTube, Virtual Stranger. It was shot by chugabug goodnight at the Barcelona concert
I've been posting some of my poetry on my original blog, Think About It.
I've stumbled upon an old travel journal from 1988 when I first arrived in Japan. They are in chronological order from the date of my arrival. September 23, 1988.
I had a good Thanksgiving with my friends Rocky and Elseamae and their RL son. Look for them on my land in Tyta.

notice

2008-11-23T00:13:00.000-06:00

The recent client update is causing some technical glitches which are preventing me from logging in SL. I am trying to figure out what it is, but due to the coming holidays and current economic malaise we are weathering, I'm otherwise a bit preoccupied. I am trying to spend what little free time I have playing guitar and reworking some of my SL songs. I'm also in the process of going through hours and hours of past shows and cull out particularly good versions of my non-SL songs and occasional cover.

As I find them I'll be converting them to mp3s and uploading them for your listening pleasure. I'm also posting the lyrics on the off-chance that anyone actually wants to read them.

Email me (nikodonburi @ yahoo.com) if you want to reach me.

Machinima: "Virtual Stranger"

2008-11-13T21:18:00.000-06:00

Music by Niko Donburi, Video & Editing by chugabug goodnight. Chug also does a very nice introduction to the song so be sure and check it out!

2008-11-10T22:24:00.001-06:00

Show disclaimer: Second Life, SL, Linden, Linden Lab and all other words or references used in this performance are either trademarks of Linden Research, Inc., or ought to be. My use of these words, phrases or references does not mean that I am endorsed by, sponsored by, supported by or even known by anyone at Linden Research, Inc., let alone an acknowledgment by them of the matters contained herein.

12 Songs about Second Life

A performance on the beach in Barcelona sim

the Linden

SLCC2007 in Chicago

living virtually

a song about virtual friendship

my favorite things (about Second Life)

pretty self-explanatory

should I log in or should I go now?

sometimes it's no fun to be in SL

dear Linden, dear Linden

hello, Lindens, are you listening?

virtual stranger

for those who are in SLove

SL man

what I hope to become

it's the end of the world as we know it (in Second Life)

despite it all, we're all still here

44 lines about 22 Lindens

who they are and what they do

escape - the Second Life song

the story of my life

wastin' away in Second Life

IMHO, SL is the greatest time sink ever created

Second Life (that's where I want to be)

the anthem of Second Life

the ABC song

one for the kids

Missed the Show?

2008-11-09T21:54:00.000-06:00

Live TV by Ustream

Vlad at www.shiny-life.com recorded this, which was simulcast from Second Life out onto the web. There is a minute or so of no audio as he is getting his settings tweaked, so be a bit patient. Pretty amazing technology, if you think about it. I'm in RL playing and the music is being streamed into SL where it is heard by other people all over the world as part of the shared concert experience with the whole thing then streamed out of SL and onto the web for those not in SL to watch, live. Whew.

List of Sims where show can be heard

2008-11-09T17:33:00.000-06:00

Xerses has provided me with the list of parcels where the show will be streamed. Here is a list of the sims, coordinates and plot size: 16 = plot size; sim name and coordinates. No time to make slurls, sorry!

16Adscita (30,246) 16Afton (210,40) 64Afton (78,254) 16Aglia (226,228) 32Agravain (18,218) 16Ahnpyung (254,104) 64Albulata (6,102) 96Alcis (30,58) 16Amorissa (34,2) 16Amorissa (34,30) 16Amorissa (42,14) 16Amorissa (46,14) 16Amorissa (62,30) 16Anilis (218,190) 16Aplasta (122,186) 16Aplasta (226,186) 16Aplasta (40,178) 32Apoda (182,254) 16Arches (70,182) 16Armon Gill (226,194) 16Asanga (34,206) 16Atropos (94,46) 16Auric (70,228) 32Auriga (227.666,250.05) 144Auriga (6,218) 16Avignon (2,94) 16Babel (130,194) 16Bagworm (178,146) 144Baikal (2,142) 48Balwin (234,182) 16Bam (216,214) 32Bandicoot (2,236) 64Bassett (150,242) 16Belphegor (104,62) 64Benham (126,248) 32Benham (66,102) 16Bennafield (130,250) 16Bietschhorn (210,6) 16Birchwood (114,102) 16Birchwood (118,98) 16Birchwood (124,102) 32Black Lion (150,250) 16Black Lion (78,34) 16Blackmount (230,134) 16Blacksticks (42,98) 16Boggabri (76,62) 32Bogong (226,190) 16Boksik (194,230) 16Boksik (2,54) 16Boksik (238,254) 16Bombalai (136,152) 64Bretton (254,142) 16Brithys (4,254) 32Brolga (14,62) 16Brolga (2,62) 16Brooks (126,12) 32Brooks (156,76) 64Brooks (92,4) 64Brownlee (218,18) 16Bundz (176,218) 32Cadborosaurus (250,222) 16Cadborosaurus (254,218) 16Caeshu (110,158) 16Caeshu (54,232) 224Caeshu (66,182) 16Caeshu (70,186) 16Caeshu (82,250) 16Callisto (138,134) 16Camorro (18,206) 16Campbell Plateau (74,122) 16Canfield (226,130) 16Carlisle (182,230) 16Carmine (206,246) 16Cass (92,4) 64Castlederg (122,58) 16Cavedweller (126,14) 16Cavedweller (60,140) 48Celerio (164,210) 32Celerio (182,210) 16Cevert (218,158) 16Chamonix (142,190) 16Chamonix (174,26) 16Chamonix (204,166) 32Chapel Stile (160,254) 64Chaska (40,30) 80Chasseforet (154,58) 16Chebi (88,190) 64Cheonma (22,190) 16Cheonma (26,114) 16Cheosan (246,82) 16Chima (178,194) 16Chindo (242,230) 16Chindo (246,230) 16Choa Nu (74,114) 80Chokki (194,158) 16Chopsaw (122,142) 16Ciraco (226,42) 16Cisseps (158,158) 16Clanis (166,134) 16Claremorris (180,134) 32Clay (84,34) 32Clear (154,114) 16Cleary (132,250) 32Cleary (98,210) 16Congrua (20,114) 32Congrua (22,102) 16Congrua (70,18) 16Craigavon (208,242) 96Crumbi (250,186) 16Cycnia (114,18) 16Dark Matter (4,252) 48Darkover (106,118) 64Deadwood (158,22) 16DeCheau (10,66) 16Demorgan (106,166) 48Denshore (16,188) 80Denshore (18,40) 96Diablerets (112,86) 32Diablerets (134,90) 16Diablerets (170,100) 32Diablerets (174,98) 16Djorven (4,82) 32Donalbain (158,190) 16Donders (36,254) 32Drax (192,254) 32Durango (252,90) 64Durdane (246,98) 16Eagle Rise (98,100) 32Eddings (138,92) 32Ekota (94,184) 64Eldora (230,150) 16Eldora (246,176) 64Ello (50,68) 32Ello (62,60) 32Enceladus (52,252) 48Epilais (88,102) 32Epirrhoe (254,242) 16Epirrita (114,110) 16Epirrita (92,74) 64Erzulie (88,130) 32Ethmia (206,134) 16Ethmia (4,148) 48Euiryeong (226,170) 16Euiryeong (234,222) 48Eunpyung (14,26) 16Ferguson (114,254) 16Ferguson (126,254) 16Ferguson (94,242) 16Firmans Haven (126,126) 16Fishii (78,210) 48Flagg (244,46) 32Flint (146,234) 16Fraxini (130,2) 16Gangkhar (108,30) 32Gangkhar (162,66) 16Gangkhar (162,78) 16Gangwon (12,40) 96Gangwon (242,106) 16Gangwon (30,42) 16Gangwon (30,54) 16Gangwon (36,30) 32Gartogg (22,218) 16Gartogg (22,226) 16Ge (162,94) 48Geoje (172,108) 64Gilbut (186,136) 96Gilbut (188,194) 32Goangeo (110,102) 16Gonkbrunk (118,158) 16Gorderonis (126,138) 16Gorgon (2,116) 96Gorlen Bay (14,22) 16Grace (182,170) 16Granville (90,164) 64Great Staughton (18,94) 16Grishin (82,50) 48Grolphook (154,46) 16Grolphook (162,58) 16Gyeonu (212,172) 48Hamlin (154,214) 16Harbourne (238,86) 16Hardrada (122,246) 16Hazeldean (122,186) 16Hemaris (104,250) 32Hemaris (90,250) 16Herald (242,134) 16Hewes (86,70) 16Highcastle (216,222) 32Horseshoe (234,114) 16Horseshoe (236,110) 32Horseshoe (246,122) 16Houlihan (120,22) 64Hughes (138,102) 16Hughes (14,230) 16Hughes (140,116) 48Hughes (168,2) 64Hughes (214,10) 16Hwaryeo (146,74) 16Hydes (146,6) 16Hydrathan (6,246) 16Idunn (194,14) 16Idunn (226,66) 16Ingvar (130,10) 16Jessgate (80,58) 64Jingyo (90,122) 16Julia Creek (44,62) 32Jumeoni (110,202) 16Jumeoni (68,124) 64Jumeoni (94,248) 64Junghee (198,254) 16Junghee (34,178) 16Junghee (44,184) 80Jungreung (158,28) 32Jungreung (201.856,13.4771) 64Kallabow (66,178) 176Kallabow (94,190) 16Kanes Project (62,92) 32Kendall (6,238) 16Khanuy Gol (234,230) 16Khanuy Gol (250,230) 16Khanuy Gol (252,234) 32Kitster (254,186) 16Kiuek (98,230) 16Klens (230,150) 16Knieff (126,154) 16Knot (94,254) 16Krypto (142,190) 16Kuhrang (222,122) 16Kumho (178,74) 16Kumiho (248,68) 96Kuusamo (136,56) 64Kuusamo (146,62) 16Kyle (62,86) 16Kyle (64,70) 32Lappet (226,238) 16Lappet (246,170) 16Lappet (50,40) 64Laserlight (130,62) 32Laurier (74,98) 16Leelight (26,222) 16Lendrum (46,254) 16Lhotse (130,182) 16Lhotse (94,150) 16Limtessa (150,38) 96Loepa (142,222) 32Lonsdale (110,6) 16Lonsdale (190,2) 16Loveland (210,196) 32Lunalis (230,94) 16Lusca (250,138) 96Lynnwood (134,130) 16Lynnwood (6,194) 32Lythria (62,122) 80Maemi (26,178) 16Makalu (10,146) 16Makalu (2,146) 16Makalu (44,152) 64Malacosoma (94,150) 16Malchior (26,86) 16Malgeungaram (122,22) 16Mallee (244,82) 32Manduca (166,248) 32Manitoba (166,222) 96Manitoba (170,230) 16Manitoba (184,222) 96Mantle (190,2) 16Maquapit (114,242) 16Maquapit (122,246) 16Maquapit (126,242) 16Maquapit (138,246) 16Maquapit (46,178) 16Marcell (242,66) 16Marcell (254,66) 16Masan (162,30) 16Matamata (34,86) 16McIntyre (254,90) 48Mephit (66,174) 112Meribel (198,134) 16Meyonohk (178,166) 16Miliaco (20,66) 32Milmeranda (190,250) 16Milyang (190,2) 16Mimas (38,80) 64Minchau (30,102) 16Minchau (30,226) 128Minchau (42,180) 64Missauke (34,254) 48Misto Presto (134,50) 16Misto Presto (74,22) 16Moa (62,78) 80Momil (226,24) 64Moolbora (130,126) 16Mooter (100,178) 32Mooter (130,160) 96Mooter (152,170) 32Moran (52,20) 32Mordus Hall (164,198) 32Mordus Hall (186,200) 64Morestello (18,246) 16Morgawr (4,178) 32Moth (130,30) 16Moth (146,30) 16Muinstown (126,238) 16Muinstown (200,106) 32Mullein (178,204) 96Mullett (10,178) 16Mullett (24,254) 64Mullett (84,138) 32Mullett (90,130) 16Mullett (94,140) 32Mumun (18,170) 16Mumun (42,244) 32Mumun (46,238) 16Murderous Motion (74,46) 16Murderous Motion (76,42) 32Murderous Motion (76,62) 32Myeolchi (165.968,129.993) 96Nagarjuna (110,254) 16Nagarjuna (166,222) 112Namhae (22,190) 16Namhae (30,190) 16Nanda (14,46) 16Nessie (132,110) 32Nijole (122,170) 16Nijole (138,138) 16Nimnam (168,238) 32Nimnam (174.994,231) 80Nimnam (186,242) 16Nina (142,150) 32Noguri (22,186) 16Noguri (242,182) 16Nordloop (18,70) 112Olexandrovich (162,4) 32Oppeano (194,146) 16Oppeano (70.0857,92.0565) 32Oppeano (78,34) 16Oppeano (82,6) 80Oppeano (84,70) 80Oppeano (94,138) 16Orache (10,194) 16Pan Ho (68,140) 64Parva (58,246) 16Pavet (10,104) 32Pavet (118,118) 16Pawpaw (106,42) 16Pilatianus (70,158) 16Pilatianus (98,184) 32Pinemont (162,34) 16Poggiodomo (162,242) 32Polkadot (90,198) 48Raimondo (126,46) 16Rannels (114,116) 32Rannels (136,142) 32Redear (126,26) 16Redear (136,254) 64Redspire (230,2) 16Rethymno (42,158) 16Riddings (78,154) 16Rideau (6,102) 48Rollie (226,4) 32Rollie (234,4) 32Romanenko (190,166) 16Root Squared (150,182) 16Rumgally (14,234) 16Sababurg (14,110) 16Sabnock (50,102) 16Saena (18,240) 128Saengseon (168,250) 112Sallow (226,82) 16Sanddalgi (14,98) 16Sanddalgi (194,230) 16Satbyeul (250,6) 16Satoo (126,250) 48Scamp (102,46) 16Scamp (110,46) 16Scamp (22,206) 16Scamp (58,182) 16Scamp (98,34) 16Seefeld (104,252) 64Selenia (182,2) 16Seneca (10,246) 16Seneca (198,66) 16Seneca (254,28) 32Seneca (40,238) 32Seneca (42,250) 16Seneca (94,14) 16Seogyeo (222,26) 16Seonggye (206,30) 16Seopophang (22,188) 32Servo (232,4) 80Servo (92,74) 80Seyanforth (166,146) 16Shantos (94,246) 16Shark (122,64) 32Shark (170,222) 16Shelter (22,90) 16Shikotsu (132,2) 32Shouldice (106,126) 16Sirrakuk (114,250) 16Skutter (198,250) 16Sliderule (104,188) 128Slyme (34,58) 16Sokri (204,4) 80Solbim (10,6) 112Sooseunhwa (26,130) 16Soulgiver (2,174) 16Specter (194,14) 16Specter (198,18) 16St Lion (192,156) 64Star Scythe (74,98) 16Star Scythe (86,106) 128Stepanovych (130,138) 48Stingray (170,170) 16Storgosia (94,90) 16Sunwi Do (102,170) 16Sunwi Do (150,198) 16Sunwi Do (34,128) 32Sunwi Do (38,130) 16Sunwi Do (88,158) 32Sunwi Do (90,162) 16Swain (10,126) 16Taean (248,30) 32Taesot (2,34) 48Tangun (50,102) 16Tarfang (246,230) 16Tarfang (70,60) 32Tarfang (78,34) 16Theretra (60,170) 32Theretra (66,142) 16Theretra (78,130) 16Thunberg (102,254) 16Thunberg (4,158) 32Tigerclaw (34,166) 48Timescape (128,44) 48Tlahuelpuchi (62,226) 16Tlahuelpuchi (94,126) 16Tofalar (142,102) 16Tofalar (156,78) 32Toroge (242,230) 16Toroge (250,226) 16Toshimora (156,124) 48Toshimora (158,118) 16Trellumare (18,90) 16Tridens (58,186) 16Trinovantes (254,254) 16Tsering (178,162) 32Tsering (178,190) 16Tsering (186,94) 16Tumblebrutus (82,2) 16Ungnyo (202,254) 16Uzume (26,250) 16Uzume (42,254) 16Valkyrie (198,6) 16Varsity (30,36) 32Velox (78,186) 16Villeneuve (102,82) 16Volvod (70,138) 112Vyacheslav (86,2) 16Wallaby (30,6) 16Warmouth (194,26) 16Wasp (254,170) 16Weber (122,158) 16Webwinder (126,110) 16Westport (122,250) 16Wunb (158,230) 48Xanthorhoe (14,98) 16Xtoh (150,82) 16Xtoh (158,82) 16Yarna (30,42) 16Yeoseot (134,138) 48Yosu (206,174) 16Yucca (34,70) 16Zakarisz (200,8) 96Zakarisz (202,58) 16Zakarisz (206,54) 16Zap Cannon (42,122) 16Zugspitze (134,100) 80Zugspitze (254,146)

In addition: my land at Koryo 121,16 will be streaming, my parcel in Tyta (245,124,126), Phoenixa has set her parcels on Soju, Solbitgil, Avaron, and Yangpa sims to the stream, Xerses has his at Darkwood 24,95,23, Mauve 180,102,36 & Atlas 108,228,36 and I don't know Rocky's info but since I'm using his stream I know it's playing there too!

Interview with Yngwie Krogstad: SL DJ

2008-11-08T22:24:00.001-06:00

[20:21] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Krogstad as your last name in SL?

[20:21] Yngwie Krogstad: Well, do you know who Yngwie Malmsteen is by chance?

[20:22] Niko Donburi: The guitarist

[20:22] Yngwie Krogstad: Yes.

[20:22] Yngwie Krogstad: When I signed up I had no clue what I wanted to call myself, but I was listening to Yngwie at the time, so I decided I'd name myself after Yngwie. Since Malmsteen was not an option, I found the best last name that sounded like it'd be from the country he came from.

[20:22] Niko Donburi: cool

[20:23] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you on my blog?

[20:23] Yngwie Krogstad: Go for it

[20:26] Yngwie Krogstad: Killer. Don't forget to mention that I'm a DJ, and maybe that I won the Keep The Rock A Rollin' Award, presented for promoting the indie artists of garageband.com, I'm only the third person in all of SL ever to win it, and you can of course mention I play Niko Donburi too.

[20:27] Niko Donburi: Done

Sunday show details

2008-11-07T21:00:00.000-06:00

This is the location of Sunday's show, 11/9 at 6pm SL. Here is the slurl which will take you into Second Life and put you right outside the stage area:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Barcelona%20del%20Oeste/56/192/23

Here is the link by which you can listen to the show as streamed audio:

http://silver.neostreams.info:11294/

This is the link for viewing it over the web:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiny-life

Special thanks to Vlad at Shiny Life for the help and the posts!

Interview with Robin Dale: Non-Social Socialite

2008-11-07T20:42:00.000-06:00

"Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans: it's lovely to be silly at the right moment."
---Horace, 65 - 8 B.C.

[2008/11/04 18:57] Niko Donburi: Robin, I am doing a study of the geneology of last names. I was wondering if you knew the history of your family name, Dale?

[Nov 07 19:56:12 2008] Robin Dale: Hi, Niko. I don't know anything specific about the history of the name Dale. The word's Old English, with roots all over Scandinavia, I guess always meaning "valley." At a guess, it might have started in old England with someone identified as "Joe from the Dales." That'd be analogous to names like Hillman. The Robin Hood legends have the minstrel, Alan-a-Dale, which I suppose might be a form of "Alan of Dale." I've sometimes thought that I might have had an ancestor named Rob o'the Dales.

[18:36] Niko Donburi: Thanks, Robin, for the info. Is it OK if I quote you on my blog? I'm doing a survey of residents inquiring about their last name.

[18:40] Robin Dale: Sure. Hope other folks have better info, though. Hey, hope Sunday night goes well... I expect to be there somewhere!

Press Release for Sunday's Show

2008-11-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

This Sunday, 11/9, at 6 o'clock pm (PST) virtual history will be made.

Niko Donburi, better known as the "Weird Al" of Second Life, will be holding what is being called the largest live music event ever held in Linden Research, Inc.'s virtual world.Niko's debut of his second collection of satirical songs about Second Life will be streamed to parcels of land located on more than 400 individual sims, or Second Life regions. The parcels are part of the virtual "Arbor Project," a movement to thwart the increasing commercialization of Second Life by planting virtual trees on small parcels of land throughout the main grid.

Niko is considered by many to be one of the top live music performers in Second Life. He was selected to be one of the featured live music performers for last years' Second Life Community Convention held in Chicago, Illinois, and his songs about Second Life are frequently heard in the clubs and venues of that virtual world.

More info can be obtained at: www.nikodonburi.com and you can listen to the concert via http://silver.neostreams.info:11294/ on Sunday, 11/9/08 starting at 6 pm PST

Arbor Project: Beautifying Second Life 16m2 at a time

2008-11-06T22:17:00.000-06:00

The Arbor Project plants trees on small lots in Second Life that otherwise would contain ads. Lots are available for 30L per meter to anyone who will join it to an adjacent property of at least 300m2. Contact Xerses Goff for more info.

[19:50] Niko Donburi: hey, do you still have the Sl Arbor Project going?

[19:53] Xerses Goff: yes, we are still giving away land

[19:55] Niko Donburi: giving away?

[19:55] Xerses Goff: yep, we are trying to get about 600 small plots recombined

[19:56] Niko Donburi: ah; can you set the music on each of those parcels to a single stream?

[19:56] Xerses Goff: yes,. we used to have them set to the station.

[19:56] Xerses Goff: they are open now.

[19:57] Xerses Goff: we have a bot that does it.

[19:58] Niko Donburi: I was wondering if I could get you to turn the parcels' streams to my show this coming Sunday, 6 pm SL
[19:58] Niko Donburi: in exchange for some announcements about your project
[19:58] Niko Donburi: we are going to pack the sim, I think, or at least try (as you've seen from the notecard)

[19:58] Xerses Goff: sure, I will be happy to do it anyway, just send me a notecard with the url
[19:58] Xerses Goff: yep
[19:59] Xerses Goff: don't need any mentions though you can let everyone know that they can listen from those plots.
[20:01] Xerses Goff: with the bot, it takes about 1/2 an hour to reset them all.

[20:01] Niko Donburi: ok

[20:01] Xerses Goff: I will do it tomorrow night or Staurday.
[20:01] Xerses Goff: just get me the url

[20:02] Niko Donburi: http://silver.neostreams.info:11294/

[20:03] Xerses Goff: got it, will let you know when it is done

[20:03] Niko Donburi: the show is Sunday, 6 pm SL

[20:03] Xerses Goff: you can say it is being beamed across 400+ sims :-)

[20:04] Niko Donburi: yep, as part of the Arbor Project

[20:05] Xerses Goff: great

That's right, the show on Sunday is going to be heard in more than 400 separate sims in Second Life. As far as I can determine, it will be the largest concert ever held in SL.

Oops!

2008-11-04T21:19:00.000-06:00

Well, due in no large part to confusion created by myself, Sunday's show didn't quite go out as planned. I was surprised, however, at the number of people who did turn up just for the show. Turns out it was just a dry run for this coming Sunday. Yes, we are going to try it again. 6 pm SL in Barcelona sim, on the beach.

Last Sunday I had planned to tell everyone all of the following but in the confusion of finding a new location, getting a stream (thanks Rocky!) and TPing everyone, sending out a notice to the group, AND playing and singing, I just plain forgot. So, here it is in print so as least I know that they are somewhere....

While are you are at the show, you are more than encouraged to take snapshots, video capture, audio capture, tweet, blog or do anything else creative to capture the mood. I will be mixing and compiling all such items provided to me in a machinima. So as to allow the greatest flexibility when it comes to the editing, I would ask that everyone read through the following ten items:

(1) set your environment settings to "dusk" or evening setting. I've asked Liam and Chrissy to put out torches, fires, etc so that we can have a cool location. It will be on the beach in Barcelona so a much more relaxed and "outdoor" setting than the Cafe.

(2) if you take snapshots or video capture, please don't get your UI unless it is absolutely necessary (that's you, Phoenixa!).

(3) the simplest way to get me the photos is to "send as postcard" to my email (nikodonburi @ yahoo.com). You can also post them to your Flickr page, which I encourage, or download them to your computer (particularly if you want to photoshop them) and email or ftp them to me later. Please DON'T save them in your inventory as it will cost you L10 per photo. If you DO have any in your inventory you want to send me, that's fine, too. The free way is better, though!

(4) machinima will be mixed for posting to Youtube so record it in at least 15fps, preferably 30.

(5) I would ask those of you who are audio recording to be sure and record the ambient sounds, background sounds, etc. I am recording the actual music track so there is no need for you to do so (unless you want to, of course!). What doesn't get captured on my end are the sounds (clapping, ambient) that you all hear. Only the music. If you could, please get a couple of minutes of just ambient sounds without music for mixing.

(6) Those of you making machinima of your own who are looking for a great location for an event to happen, this is your night. Feel free to film your own event at my show. You are welcome to use the music, with attribution.

(7) By clicking on the TP button, slurl or LM that takes you to the show, you are expressly agreeing that your AV can be used in any works by any of the attendees for any purpose. That gives every attending resident the ability to use the resultant footage as they wish.

(8) Please bring a guest, dance balls, pose balls and whatever else.

(9) Feel free to grief, just don't be an asshole about it. Particle effects are particularly welcome.

(10) Any and all publicity is encouraged. That means blogs, tweets, email, notices, IMs or whatever else you can think of.

All Souls Day Celebration: Sunday, Nov.2nd

2008-10-29T22:09:00.000-05:00

All readers of this post are hereby cordially invited to attend an All Souls Day Celebration in Barcelona Sim beginning at 6:00 pm SL this coming Sunday. Music entertainment will be provided by yours truly, Niko Donburi. Please be advised that the event will be recorded for use in a machinima.

Interview with Sokmunky Rutabaga

2008-10-29T21:14:00.000-05:00

[19:06] Niko Donburi: Hi, mind if I ask you a somewhat off-the-wall question?

[19:06] Sokmunky Rutabaga: HI! what's up?
[19:07] Sokmunky Rutabaga: I like questions.

[19:07] Niko Donburi: Why Rutabaga? Why did you select that for your last name in SL?

[19:08] Sokmunky Rutabaga: cause I like rutabagas. they're yummy. and it's fun to say.

[19:08] Sokmunky Rutabaga: and most people don't know what they are.

[19:09] Sokmunky Rutabaga: so my native name would be something like foot-covering-cuddly-toy tastes like yummy ground root, or something.
[19:10] Sokmunky Rutabaga: also, rutabagas containa compound that breaks down into cyanide. which is cool.

[19:10] Sokmunky Rutabaga grins

[19:10] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:11] Sokmunky Rutabaga: how's that for an answer?

[19:11] Niko Donburi: mind if I publish your response on my blog?

[19:11] Sokmunky Rutabaga: ok, as long as I can link it :)

Interview with Lina Lageos: ZeroG SkyDancer

2008-10-29T21:00:00.000-05:00

Pursuant to her request, this interview has been removed.

Interview with Circe Broom: The Queen of Live Music

2008-10-28T22:07:00.000-05:00

[19:57] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Broom to be your last name in SL?

[19:58] Circe Broom: I'm a witch
[19:58] Circe Broom: and thought it funny

[19:58] Niko Donburi: were you a witch in RL before or in SL?

[19:58] Circe Broom: in RL before

[19:59] Niko Donburi: a wiccan?

[19:59] Circe Broom: yes, but my own kind.. just as with any religion, I dislike extremes

[20:00] Niko Donburi: not with a coven then?

[20:00] Circe Broom: I was solitary for years, then found folks up here in of like mind

[20:00] Circe Broom: and yes, but three of them moved away
[20:01] Circe Broom: and some of the spirit was lost..

[20:01] Niko Donburi: yes, the greater the number the greater the power

[20:01] Circe Broom: stuff happens
[20:01] Circe Broom: yes
[20:02] Circe Broom: we've done really fine stuff, I think.. and I think maybe I am alive right now because of our power...
[20:02] Circe Broom: and we have been a positive force in our neighborhood... are well regarded
[20:03] Niko Donburi: good

[20:03] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you for the interview?
[20:04] Niko Donburi: I'll need a jpg or the one you just sent and any links you want your name linked to

[20:05] Circe Broom: ooh let me get a better one! My hair's a MESS LOL
[20:05] Circe Broom: LINKS ooh baby

[20:05] Niko Donburi: lo
l[20:05] Niko Donburi: nothing but the best here..!

[20:06] Niko Donburi: so, is that a yes?

[20:06] Circe Broom: YES

[20:06] Niko Donburi: lol

Interview with Xerses Goff:

2008-10-28T21:25:00.000-05:00

[19:22] Niko Donburi: I was going to ask you, why did you chose Goff to be your last name in SL?

[19:23] Xerses Goff: lol, it was the last nome of a former footabll coach at my college.

[19:23] Niko Donburi: Can I quote you for my blog?

[19:24] Xerses Goff: sure.

[19:24] Niko Donburi: send me a jpg via nikodonburi@yahoo.com and any links you want linked to

[19:24] Xerses Goff: just doen't use my spelling, lol

[19:24] Niko Donburi: lol

2008-10-27T21:32:00.000-05:00

Ever find yourself just a few Lindens short to buy something you want? Hate when that happens. Here's what I want to buy next, but only had L1141 left in the account after purchasing all the machinima apps. So, guess it's time to do another concert! :-)

Interview with Chrissy Cordeaux: Mistress of Barcelona

2008-10-27T21:07:00.000-05:00

[18:58] Niko Donburi: (1) why did you chose Cordeaux to be your last name in SL?

[19:02] Chrissy Cordeaux: because I liked the way it sounded....It might sound silly, but I wanted my name to sound cute but sophisticated at the same time.

[19:04] Niko Donburi: mind if I post your response on my blog?

[19:04] Chrissy Cordeaux: sure, go ahead

2008-10-26T14:46:00.000-05:00

Saw a tweet by Torley which had a tinyurl. Followed it to the above. Is that cool or what!

You must see

2008-10-26T00:32:00.001-05:00

Interview with Chugabug Goodnight: Machinamist

2008-10-25T21:39:00.000-05:00

[19:21] Niko Donburi: Hello, Miss Goodnight!

[19:21] chugabug Goodnight: Niko!,, how are you?

[19:22] Niko Donburi: Just checking out Nautilus after reading Radar's blog

[19:22] chugabug Goodnight: ah, cool.. his pics came out really good

[19:22] Niko Donburi: Yes
[19:23] Niko Donburi: I wanted to ask you a question or two, if it's okay

[19:23] chugabug Goodnight: sure

[19:23] Niko Donburi: first one... why did you choose Goodnight as you last name here in SL?

[19:25] chugabug Goodnight: I knew ppl would think of "chug a bug" as a drinking "connotation", so.. what do you do when you drink?... You wanna go "goodnight"!

[19:25] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:25] chugabug Goodnight: I do, any way
[19:25] chugabug Goodnight: lol
[19:26] chugabug Goodnight: and, chugabug has NOTHING to do with drinking
[19:26] chugabug Goodnight: #2?

[19:26] Niko Donburi: wait, since you opened the door I'm going to ask: what, then, does chugabug have to do with?

[19:26] chugabug Goodnight: haha
[19:27] chugabug Goodnight: curious?
[19:28] chugabug Goodnight: when I was a kid.. in a neighborhood game of football (co-ed) I could run the ball down the field, dodging everybody and my friends said "you can CHUG a ball down the field!" "cute as a bug in a rug". Make sense?

[19:29] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:30] chugabug Goodnight: true story

[19:31] Niko Donburi: want the second question?
[19:32] chugabug Goodnight: sure, if you wanna ask it

[19:33] Niko Donburi: every other person I've interviewed has at least SOMETHING in the "About" section on their profile.
[19:33] Niko Donburi: You have nothing.
[19:33] Niko Donburi: Why?
[19:33] Niko Donburi: Why nothing?

[19:34] chugabug Goodnight: Hmmm, good question

[19:35] Niko Donburi chuckles

[19:35] chugabug Goodnight: In my skype profile, my quote is "I've got nothing", and I guess that means I don't have much to say
[19:36] chugabug Goodnight: guess, I don't have much to say
[19:36] chugabug Goodnight: until you get to know me...[19:36] chugabug Goodnight darts her eyes up

[19:36] Niko Donburi smiles

[19:37] chugabug Goodnight: this for your blog?

[19:37] Niko Donburi: yes, and with your permission I'd like to post it.

[19:38] chugabug Goodnight: ah, cool

[19:38] Niko Donburi: so is it ok?

[19:38] chugabug Goodnight: it's ok, yes

[19:38] Niko Donburi grins

how :-) turns to :-( in five minutes

2008-10-25T15:31:00.000-05:00

So, do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Good news: this morning I check my mail (nikodonburi at yahoo.com if you ever want to reach me) and my standing Google search reveals that someone has been talking about me. Not just an ordinary someone, but my friend, the famed podcaster Radar Masukami of SL Under the Radar. He did a post on his blog Reading Radar about me with a nice comment.

Bad news: I then go and click over to listen to his podcast. This is where it gets sad. SL Under the Radar is no more. The 39th episode is the last.

I can appreciate the need to change. If you've ever taken the time to start at the beginning of this blog and read through you will undoubtedly noted that I have taken some time off, had a bit of a career change, renewed my Second Life by spending some time off the computer and in the real world. But I've always come back. Let's hope Radar does the same.

How Stuff Works has a list of 59 famous people who died before 40. I note the following passed at 39:

56. Anna Nicole Smith (39)

57. Dennis Wilson (39)

58. Malcolm X (39)

59. Martin Luther King, Jr. (39)

I propose that we add the following: 60. SL Under the Radar (39th Episode)

machinima: svarga

2008-10-25T15:05:00.000-05:00

This is the second composition from Music for Virtual Worlds. The footage is captured at my favorite sim, Svarga, a virtual ecosystem. A detailed description of Svarga with an interview of its creator, Laukosargas Svarog, can be found over at New World Notes.

Interview with Yxes Delacroix: SL Podcaster / SL TV Producer

2008-10-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

[19:37] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Delacroix to be your last name in SL?

[19:38] Yxes Delac roix: hehe i thought it looked good with Yxes. :)
[19:38] Yxes Delacroix: why do you ask?

[19:39] Niko Donburi: guess that makes me want to ask, why Yxes?

[19:40] Yxes Delacroix: cuz it is just sexY backwards! (and i never thought i would have to "say" either of them!! hehe)

[19:41] Niko Donburi: can I quote you in my interview series?

[19:41] Yxes Delacroix: why is that? why are you asking about my name?
[19:41] Yxes Delacroix: sure, you can quote me....

Machinima: Koryo

2008-10-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

As those of you who routinely attend my in-world shows will now, in addition to my SL parodies and other originals I typically play a solo acoustic guitar composition sometime during the set, or more than one if the venue is appropriate it (such as Barcelona).

I'm in the process of compiling these into a machinima collection entitled Music for a Virtual World. Here is the first track, filmed in my corner of the virtual world: koryo.

Interview with Kaklick Martin: Live Music Performer

2008-10-22T22:34:00.000-05:00

Considered one of the elders of the Second Life music scene, Bryan "ka-klick" Baker is a good friend to me and many others in SL. Be sure and check his regular Friday in-world show.

[2008/10/17 20:57] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose Martin as a last name?

[20:00] Kaklick Martin: Because it sounded good w/ Kaklick and it was a Guitar Maker's name. Sending you a time sensitive thing on Yahoo.

[20:25] Niko Donburi: Is it OK if I publish your comment on my blog?

[20:29] Kaklick Martin: which one? but yeah, probably

[20:29] Niko Donburi: the one about your lawt name

[20:30] Kaklick Martin: is that like a hawt last name?
[20:30] Kaklick Martin: lol
[20:30] Kaklick Martin: sure

Interview with Nethermind Bliss: Social Media Activist

2008-10-22T22:32:00.000-05:00

Nethermind Bliss was the heart and soul of SLCC2007. Without her hard and thankless work, there would be no live music at the Convention. Example #1: SLCC2008.

[20:29] Niko Donburi: May I ask you a question?

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: hi, Niko, long time no chat :)
[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: sure thing

[20:29] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Bliss as your last name here in SL?

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: interesting, and unexpected, question :)

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: I chose it for two reasons
[20:30] Nethermind Bliss: because one, it was short, whereas Nethermind was a long name, so for linguistic reasons, it was musical in nature
[20:30] Nethermind Bliss: and two, because it's ultimately what most seek, by different definitions

[20:31] Niko Donburi: nice answer.

[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: what made you ask?

[20:31] Niko Donburi: May I quote you on my blog?

[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: absolutely
[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: I am as transparent as they come :)
[20:31] Niko Donburi: hehe

Interview with Haroldthe Burrel: SL Relay for Life Team Captain

2008-10-19T21:01:00.000-05:00

[18:59] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Burrel to be your last name in SL?

[18:59] Haroldthe Burrel: heya Niko
[18:59] Haroldthe Burrel: Genesis

[19:00] Niko Donburi: As in the Bible or the band?

[19:00] Haroldthe Burrel: i came here from Mystonline, and my name there was Watcheroftheskies

[19:01] Niko Donburi: So you are a transient from another world

[19:01] Haroldthe Burrel: nope, really like Peter gabriel. lol

[19:01] Niko Donburi: lol
[19:01] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you on my blog?

[19:01] Haroldthe Burrel: not at all

Interview with Serenity Brezoianu: Music Afficionado

2008-10-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

Serenity is someone I met at a show. We've IMd a few times we've seen each other on and I always enjoy having her in the audience. By her profile uou can just tell she's a deep person:

We build walls. We wear a mask pretending to be what we aren't. We build the wall around us so high that people can't really know us. We are afraid of truth. We run as far as we can from it.
Then, there is the other side! A small part just wants to be heard, to be who you really should be. Fear keeps you from it all. Fear, I think is one of the most intense feelings. Fear. Fear keeps you from being the friend you could be. If you shared that ... you just don't know.

[18:37] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose Brezoianu as your last name in SL?

[18:38] Serenity Brezoianu: =) because it sounded weird =)

[18:38] Niko Donburi: lol

[18:38] Serenity Brezoianu: and it has lots of vowels

[18:38] Niko Donburi: why the vowels?
[18:39] Niko Donburi: why did that attract you to the name?

[18:39] Serenity Brezoianu: not ordinary... and at the time i didn't want to be ordinary ...

[18:39] Niko Donburi: and now?

[18:41] Serenity Brezoianu: now... the name fits... just different... I am described by someone I met here that I date now as Quirky =)

[18:42] Niko Donburi grins. You are.
[18:42] Niko Donburi: lol

[18:42] Serenity Brezoianu: =)

[18:42] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you on my blog?

[18:43] Serenity Brezoianu: lol yes it's fine =)

Interview with Rocky Merosi: SL DJ

2008-10-19T20:34:00.000-05:00

Rocky is one of my closest friends in Second Life. More about him later!

[18:32] Rocky Merosi: WOO
[18:32] Rocky Merosi: lol you are on

[18:32] Niko Donburi: hey, a question
[18:32] Niko Donburi: why did you choose Merosi as your last name in SL?

[18:33] Rocky Merosi: complete randomness :P

[18:33] Niko Donburi: lol
[18:33] Niko Donburi: why doesn't that surprise me?

[18:34] Rocky Merosi: Hey I am a random sorta person lol
[18:34] Niko Donburi: can I post your response to my blog?

[18:34] Rocky Merosi: sure lol

Now available: Live at the Cafe in Barcelona

2008-10-19T20:04:00.000-05:00

Live at the Cafe

Been going through Niko withdrawal for the past month or so? I've been working on a new music video collection, Music for a Virtual World, which is busy consuming my free time. I've also been updating my blog and related sites so be sure and look around.

So that you won't suffer too much, I've edited down and uploaded a live show to my last.fm site. It's one big mp3 file and contains all the usual between song chatter I often indulge in. All songs are originals and subject to the usual license arrangement elsewhere in the site. Feel free to listen to the stream or download it to your iPod or play any of the songs on your podcast. The lineup is just under an hour in length.

Here's the song lineup:

Dear Linden, Dear Linden
Living Virtually
Naive Mind
God Doesn't Care
Virtual Strangers
Won't Be Home Tonite
Escape (The Second Life Song)
Christmas Cake
Second Life (That's Where I Want to Be)
Dearly Beloved
The Next Gone
My Favorite Things (About Second Life)
It's the End of the World (In Second Life)

As many of you know, The Cafe in the Barcelona Sim is one of my favorite venues. Rendered in brick-for-brick detail of the central plaza in Barcelona, it is a hub of the international live music scene. I'm planning on recording a video there on the new album.

Niko Donburi SL Satirist

2008-10-19T00:36:00.001-05:00

Niko Donburi SL Satirist, originally uploaded by Paisley Beebe.

Check this out. Found it while running a flickr search on myself. Paisley Beebe rocks. Check out her Tonite Live! I need to remind myself to give her an IM to see if I can come back on when my new mp3 collection is release, "Dancing with Lindens"

Interview with Savanah Markova

2008-10-18T22:43:00.000-05:00

[2008/10/18 20:19] Niko Donburi: can I ask you a question?

[2008/10/18 20:19] Savanah Markova: yeah sure
[2008/10/18 20:21] Savanah Markova: what's up?

[2008/10/18 20:22] Niko Donburi: why did you chose Markova as your last name?

[2008/10/18 20:23] Savanah Markova: lol
[2008/10/18 20:23] Savanah Markova: I liked it the most out of the available options
[2008/10/18 20:23] Savanah Markova: why do you ask?

[2008/10/18 20:24] Niko Donburi: can I post your response to my blog in my interview?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Niko Donburi: I"ll need you to email me a great jpg of yourself and any link
you want people sent to

[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: what?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: why?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: for what>?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: lol

[2008/10/18 20:25] Niko Donburi: I am doing a series of iterviews of people I know in SL
[2008/10/18 20:25] Niko Donburi: asking them why their last name was chosen
[2008/10/18 20:26] Niko Donburi: why "markova" and not "miller" or something else

[2008/10/18 20:26] Savanah Markova: I see

[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: so...
[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: can I?

[2008/10/18 20:27] Savanah Markova: idk
[2008/10/18 20:27] Savanah Markova: lol

[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: please
[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: post to the site
[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: ?

[2008/10/18 20:28] Savanah Markova: I'll think about it?

[2008/10/18 20:28] Niko Donburi: you'll be listed as the one who got away
[2008/10/18 20:29] Niko Donburi: :-)

[18:20] Savanah Markova: (Saved Sat Oct 18 22:35:37 2008) yeah go ahead and post it

Interview with Flameheart Sol - Proprietress of the House of Flames

2008-10-18T21:56:00.000-05:00

[2008/10/17 21:05] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose "Sol" as your SL last name?

[2008/10/18 9:01] Flameheart Sol: Hey there handsome...how are you???? What a question :). I chose it because it is Spanish for sun, and I am full of fire and passion (redheaded, Sicilian, Leo). I had no idea what my first name should be, but once Sol was chosen, Flameheart was the first thing that came to mond. Funny thing is that now I am also called Flameheart in real life. The name muist fit :). What is going on wtih you????

[2008/10/18 9:03] Niko Donburi: I'm well, thanks. Thanks also for the info. Can I quote you on my blog?

[2008/10/18 19:42] Flameheart Sol: sure you can quote me :)

Interview with Katronix Serf: Podiobook Producer and Podcaster

2008-10-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

[19:43] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose "Serf" as your last name?

[19:44] Katronix Serf: dunno, it was just one of the options, when I joined :-)
[19:45] Katronix Serf: why?

[19:47] Niko Donburi: But why THAT one and not, say, Donburi or something else?

[19:48] Katronix Serf: honestly don't know... I don't even recall if back then we had a choice of last name

[19:48] Niko Donburi: Yeah, there was a selection screen. We are similar in rez day
[19:49] Niko Donburi: I'm doing an interview of people in SL asking them why they chose that particular last name.

[19:49] Katronix Serf: oh ok.... sorry I don't know... I probably picked the default it chose for me

[19:49] Niko Donburi: You can read the results on my blog at http://www.nikodonburi.com/
[19:49] Niko Donburi: You are the first to either have just randomnly chose one or doesn't want to tell me!
[19:49] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:49] Katronix Serf: lol

[19:50] Niko Donburi: can I quote this chat as your interview on the blog? I will also upload a photo of you and a weblink to whereever you want it to go.
[19:50] Niko Donburi: Also, are you still podcasting?

[19:50] Katronix Serf: sure
[19:51] Katronix Serf: I am still podcasting, but not under my SL name anymore

[19:51] Niko Donburi: you have the coolest SL name, IMHO, why not use it?

[19:51] Katronix Serf: lol thanks

[19:51] Niko Donburi: BTW, how did you come up with Katronix? THAT wasn't on the list!@

[19:52] Katronix Serf: well, my RL name is so incredibly common, I wanted something that isn't common. So I threw letters together :-)

[19:52] Niko Donburi: Damn, that's cool.
[19:52] Niko Donburi: Can I quote that?

[19:52] Katronix Serf: sure

[19:53] Niko Donburi cuts and pastes into his blog post before Kat changes its mind.

Interview: Kira Finn

2008-10-18T21:44:00.000-05:00

[2008/10/17 20:35] Niko Donburi: Hey, why did you choose "Finn" as a last name

Kira Finn: (Saved Sat Oct 18 19:33:40 2008) Well....I loved the name Kira even before I knew anything about SL. If I had a daughter that would of been her name. So when I signed into SL I knew I wanted that name and Finn seemed to just fit.

[19:42] Kira Finn: (Saved Sat Oct 18 19:34:10 2008) Can I ask why you are asking?
[19:43] Niko Donburi: Can I post your response as part of my interview of my favorite people in Second Life?
[19:43] Kira Finn: Sure
[19:43] Kira Finn: I'm one of your favorite people in SL?
[19:43] Niko Donburi shakes his head and rolls his eyes
[19:43] Kira Finn: lol

Hey, let go of that Ego Surf

2008-10-18T17:17:00.000-05:00

While learning to use Technorati!, I ran across this post by Poppy Linden referencing "44 Lines about 22 Lindens" (you remember: Poppy Linden finds the bugs that cause us residents to scream). He found whilst ego-surfing himself. I found it by doing the same. Guess it's one ego strokin' another, eh?

2008-10-18T17:12:00.001-05:00

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2008-10-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

Interview with Phoenixa Sol: SL Dancer

2008-10-18T11:06:00.001-05:00

[9:01] Phoenixa Sol: hiya, hope all is going great!
[9:02] Niko Donburi: Hi! A question for you: why did you choose your last name to be "Sol" ?
[9:03] Phoenixa Sol: phoenix... firey. Sol... sunshine. (and also, I live in San Fran bay area, and most of the names in that time frame were streets of san fran, which I flat out REFUSED to have
[9:03] Phoenixa Sol: Sol also because spoken could be swapped as "soul"
[9:03] Niko Donburi: lol
[9:03] Phoenixa Sol: i dance from the core of my soul
[9:04] Niko Donburi: is it okay for me to quote you on my blog on how you derived your name?
[9:04] Phoenixa Sol: sure, make sure you say that "Phoenix" was already taken, so I created Phoenixa by adding the A

Interview with Durzle Darkstone: Virtual DJ

2008-10-17T22:55:00.001-05:00

[20:47] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose Darkstone as your SL last name?
[20:48] Durzle Darkstone: It was mysterious
[20:48] Durzle Darkstone: grins
[20:48] Durzle Darkstone: and went exceptionally well with Durzle
[20:48] Niko Donburi: lol; mind if I quote you?
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: depends
[20:49] Niko Donburi: upon?
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: why? and to whom?
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: what's the context
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: LOL
[20:49] Niko Donburi: on my blog I am posting the response to all my friends in SL on why they chose their last name
[20:49] Niko Donburi: the story
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: sure
[20:50] Niko Donburi: send me a SL photo of yoruself, a link or slyrl
[20:50] Niko Donburi: slurl
[20:50] Niko Donburi: it is okay to publish?
[20:50] Durzle Darkstone: how many responses have you gotten?
[20:50] Niko Donburi: two up so far
[20:50] Niko Donburi: www.nikoburi.com
[20:50] Niko Donburi: www.nikodonburi.com
[20:51] Durzle Darkstone: lol
[20:51] Durzle Darkstone: ok, you been drinking?
[20:51] Durzle Darkstone: what's the story behind it?
[20:52] Niko Donburi: just thought it would be something cool, all the neat people I know in Sl. That's why you are among the first asked
[20:52] Durzle Darkstone: how bout you?
[20:52] Niko Donburi: My last name?
[20:53] Durzle Darkstone: nods
[20:53] Niko Donburi: Donburi is a rice dish in Japan.
[20:53] Niko Donburi: Oyako Donburi is chicken and egg on rice
[20:53] Niko Donburi: Quite good. Incidently, it means "Mother and Child" on Rice
[20:54] Niko Donburi: Nikko means smile in japanese
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: shehs
[20:54] Niko Donburi: I shortened it to Niko for spelling
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: deep thoughts
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: that's great
[20:54] Niko Donburi: so, can I post it?
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: I came up with mine so quick
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: and loved it
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: nods, sure

Interview with Elwood Abernathy: Virtual Landlord of Thousand Palms

2008-10-17T22:45:00.001-05:00

[20:42] Niko Donburi: why did you choose "Abernathy" to be your last name in SL?

[20:42] Elwood Abernathy: only because it was at the top of the list, the first one there

[20:42] Elwood Abernathy: i never looked down the list

[20:42] Elwood Abernathy: and Elwood is my fahters middle name
[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: i did not expect to stay
[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: i was going to sign up see what the hype was and then leave
[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: and then in one week i met like 10 different people and had to stay to see them lol

[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: and here i am

[20:44] Niko Donburi: wow

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: with no where to go

[20:44] Niko Donburi: 3 years later

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: almost
[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: we are old timers now

[20:44] Niko Donburi: Can I quote you on my blog?

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: lol
[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: sure

[20:44] Niko Donburi: cool
[20:44] Niko Donburi: feel free to send me a link to a site or something if you want it linked

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: ok

Interview with Esch Snoats: Artropolis

2008-10-17T22:37:00.000-05:00

[20:35] Niko Donburi: Hey, why did you choose "Snoats" as a last name
[20:36] Esch Snoats: I was trying to find a name that sounds like someone clearing their nose when they spoke.. My av looks like someone who speaks with this snooty nasally voice, so "Snoats" sounded good that way :P
[20:36] Niko Donburi: are you serious?
[20:36] Esch Snoats: Yeah :P
[20:37] Esch Snoats: Say my av's name out loud with a snooty nasally voice
[20:38] Niko Donburi: can I quote you on how you chose your name?
[20:38] Esch Snoats: lol sure

Blog alert: A N00b's Progress

2008-10-06T20:06:00.000-05:00

Blogger & SLPhotographer Lelani Carver posted a nice entry on A N00b's Progress . Her posts have a definite Asian-vibe, which is really cool. I'll have to remember to play her "Christmas Cake" and some of my other songs from my time in Japan and Indonesia.

Now I have to just figure out how to get on her Flickr page like Maxamillion!

Check out these podcasts!

2008-10-05T18:17:00.000-05:00

Since my foray into the wild world of Podsafe Music, I've gotten notices that two podcasts thus far have played some of my SL parodies:

Atlantic Wave Radio out of the UK and Virtual Yooper out of Michigan. His blog is worth checking out, particularly if you ever dreamt of moving up, up and away or ever wanted to be an EMT!

Niko + Podcast = More Listeners?

2008-09-13T16:26:00.000-05:00

While all of my songs have been Creative Commons licensed, I took a few minutes and uploaded a few of them to the Podsafe Music Network for those podcasters amongst you. Two of my new songs, The Linden and Virtual Strangers are uploaded for your listening pleasure. Here's the link.

ASD 1 year anniversary show: Sun 9/14 @ 1:30 pm SL

2008-08-21T16:51:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's been TOO LONG since I've had a show in SL. The last one being the Music Isle show--which does make for good watching on your iPod, btw.

But whenever I get a chance to perform at ASD Studios, I'm taking it. So mark your calendars, fire up your recording devices and get ready for an hour of SL parodies, audience participation and as much virtual fun as your internet connection can stream.

Drop me an email or IM in-world if you aren't in the group and I'll get you a slurl or TP.

SLCN - Music Arts on the Isle

2008-07-21T20:08:00.000-05:00

Always wondered what a Niko Donburi performance was like? Short of logging into Second Life, take a look at this week's episode of JeuL Resistance's Music Arts On the Isle, a weekly videocast from the Second Life Cable Network, where I perform a half hour or so set of SL parodies including the debut performance of Wasting Away the Day (in Second Life), an SL parody of the Buffett classic.

Thanks to all who logged in just for the show. It was good to see you on so late!

It's official: Niko for President

2008-06-24T14:46:00.000-05:00

Evidently only viewable with IE. In the words of Liam Serf, guess that makes me a "single platform" candidate:

src="http://www.paltalk.com/marketing/media/vanksen/main.swf" quality=high WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="304" ALIGN="" TYPE="application/x-shockwave-flash" FLASHVARS="firstname=Niko&lastname=Donburi&urlfin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news3online.com%2Fspread.php" PLUGINSPAGE="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" BGCOLOR="#000000" ALLOWSCRIPTACCESS="ALWAYS">

The Niko Donburi Fan Club

2008-06-21T23:02:00.000-05:00

As do most performers in SL, I have a fan club. Members of this group have given me one of their coveted 25 group slots so that they can get notices of my shows. There is no higher compliment in SL than that. To all of you, thank you very much. I truly appreciate it Ace Clellon, Anjali Lebed, Austin Shepherd, Avalon Chevalier, BD Gilmour, Calypso Monentes, Caroline Fierrens, Chrissy Cordeaux, Christina Guffroy, chugabug Goodnight, cinnamon Daniels, Clever Darcy, Diomy Takakura, Douglas Rishmal, Drizael Doobie, Durzle Darkstone, Eeyore Anza, Elseamae Daviau, Elwood Abernathy, Esch Snoats, Ethan Oxbar, Evan Drake, Flameheart Sol, fmires Brun, Friesian Steuben, Fritzees Fizzle, Gando Thurston, Gomem Desoto, Grave Darkstone, Haffa Gaffer, Harmony Patel, Heidi Okelly, Hunter Maltese, Irelyn Christensen, Jaxom Winger, JohnF Munro, Jovana Qinan, jukeboxxx88 Writer, Kaisolin Woonona, Kaklick Martin, Katronix Serf, Kayleigh Cordeaux, Kikoto Takaaki, Kira Finn, Kronos Kirkorian, Kyla Marshall, Kylynn Kemsley, MarkusMatthew Jonesford, Memzie Sideways, Olive Blachere, Penelope Ofeq, Priya Dollinger, Prometheus Windang, Pukk Abel, Radar Masukami, Robin Dale, Rocky Merosi, Sayuri Collas, Serenity Brezoianu, Silver Claymore, Simeon Kondor, Splotch Bloch, Susie Aleixandre, Talia Rosher, Tux DeCuir, Valerian Romeo, Xerses Goff, Yummie Olsen and Zena Karas.

(TM)? We don't need no stinkin' (TM)!

2008-04-25T22:42:00.000-05:00

Just got an email from Vint Falken notifying me that my new verse for Dear Linden, Dear Linden was chosen to share in the grand prize for the L10,000 Bounty for Best Trademark Parodies with Kanomi's The Tiny Dancing (R) Brand Center. Vint organized the contest in lieu of going on strike, as some other well-known bloggers have done. If I get some time this weekend I'll record the new version and get a link out to all members of the fan club---and post one to Vint's blog as well.

I'd best be transferring that L5,000 before LL gets word of my success... ;-)

Will the fun NEVER end?

2008-04-24T16:31:00.000-05:00

In light of the new trademark and copyright issues being enforced by those that run the virtual world "formally known as Second Life" (see Gwyneth Llewelyn's excellent summary of the issue), a new verse for Dear Linden, Dear Linden seemed fitting:

Dear Linden, Dear Linden,
I just don't understand
The new terms of service
About using your brand.
Registered trademarks
And copyright signs,
Must I use them all of the time?
Signed, a blogger

Blogger,Dear blogger
We hear what you say
And at Linden Lab (R)
We don't like things this way
But our lawyers insist
That it must be done
We sincerely hope it won't ruin your fun
Signed, a Linden (TM)

No more calendar :-(

2008-04-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

If you haven't noticed, I dumped the web-based calendar system I was using to post gig info. This one was always out of date. Just check my in-world profile for a listing of upcoming shows....

SLUnder the Radar - #26: The Linden

2008-04-04T14:57:00.000-05:00

Check out the newest episodes of SL Under the Radar podcast to hear the latest SL parody: The Linden (with all apologies to Kenny Rogers & Company's "The Gambler").

Just a note: all members of the in-world "Niko Donburi Fan Club" received an mp3 download a few weeks ago so log in and sign up!

So I Married An Avatar.... part 2

2008-03-15T15:44:00.000-05:00

Last month Business Week ran an article "So I Married An Avatar" to which I posted a list of the top 10 reasons why a virtual wedding was better than a real life wedding (or something to that effect.) Evidently it wasn't as funny as I thought because it wasn't posted to the comments section NOR did anyone on the SLEducators listserv even comment.

Then, much to my surprise I received an email from one of the editors late one Friday afternoon asking to use my comment in a new section "Featured Readers Comments" and requesting a photograph. Unfortunately I didn't get the email until after the deadline had run, but evidently that didn't matter as a few days later I found myself--er, my virtual self--as one of the Featured Readers. Here's the link.

Contrary to my wife, I am NOT lame. Yeah to Business Week!

Second CD?

2008-03-05T00:09:00.000-06:00

Rumors of a second Niko Donburi CD are... TRUE! Yes, I am working on a follow-up to my first CD, Tales from the Grid, which debuted at SLCC2007. While I am not sure if I will be performing live at SLCC2008 in Tampa (check out their new site) in person like last year's Chicago show, I'll certainly be there virtually--if they'll have me!

If you've been to a show in the past few weeks, you've heard some of the new ones: Virtual Stranger, 44 Lines about 22 Lindens, Should I log in or should I go now, The Linden, and most recently, SL Man. I be firing up the recording studio in over the summer and will start circulating demos to my group members so join up if you haven't already.

Meanwhile, I'm soliciting names. Thus far suggestions include: Tales from the Grid 2.0 and More Tales from the Grid.

So I Married an Avatar...

2008-02-15T18:16:00.000-06:00

Having just read the article on the Business Week's website ("So I Married an Avatar"), I couldn't help but make a list of

The top 10 "best things" about a Second Life wedding

(10) No rubber chicken dinners;

(9) Virtual wedding gifts are cheap;

(8) The bridesmaid's don't have to worry about looking fat in their bridesmaid's outfits;

(7) If you don't want to attend you can blame it on your internet provider;

(6) If a guest gets drunk and obnoxious you can mute him/her/it;

(5) If the bride spills red wine on her dress it can be removed with a click of the mouse;

(4) no need to invite that aunt you don't like 'cause she ain't got broadband;

(3) you can play solitaire during the speeches;

(2) everyone looks good dancing;

and the #1 "best thing" about a Second Life wedding....

(1) the honeymoon suite is just a click of the mouse away!

Free - Niko Donburi Ringtones!

2008-01-29T21:16:00.000-06:00

Found this website via Sonic Bids which allowed me to make some ringtones for you. They're free so you have NO excuse for not having the chorus of Dear Linden, Dear Linden or Escape - the Second Life song ring when your sweetheart calls.

Black is the Colour

2008-01-17T21:24:00.000-06:00

What follows comes from watching too much YouTube. Tuesday evening as I was cleaning the studio I had YouTube up and was running through some of my favorite clips. Two in particular, Johnny Cash's searing rendition of Trent Reznor's Hurt and the Holohan Sister's version of Black is the Colour of My True Love's Hair some how got mashed up in my brain while I was sleeping. The next morning I tuned to DADGAD, a notorious Celtic guitar tuning, and came up with my version called Black is the Colour. A click on the song title should bring you to the song on last.fm.

In case you aren't familiar with the song, it is a traditional Scottish Song which somehow found its way to the Southern Appalachians. It was originally about a woman whose lover had failed to return from sea but I have changed the gender of the narrator given I'm the one singing it. Us guys can mourn too, you know....

(My version) of the lyrics:

Black is the colour of my true love's hair.

Her face is like some rosy fair,

The prettiest face and the neatest hands,

I love the ground whereon she stands.

I love my love and well she knows,

I love the ground whereon she goes,

If you no more on earth I see,

I can't serve you as you have me.

The winter's passed and the leaves are green,

The time is passed that we have seen,

But still I hope the time will come

When you and I shall be as one.

I go to the Clyde* for to mourn and weep,

But satisfied I never could sleep.

I'll write to you a few short lines,

I'll suffer death ten thousand times.

Black is the colour.

_ _ _ _

* In case you were wondering, the Clyde is a "a river of southwest Scotland flowing about 171 km (106 mi) northwest to the Firth of Clyde, an estuary of the North Channel. The river is navigable to Glasgow for oceangoing vessels." See here.

SL Under the Radar Episode #22

2008-01-16T22:58:00.000-06:00

Radar was kind enough to chat abit about 44 lines about 22 Lindens in this recent episode which is fitting given that he interviewed Cogsworth Linden. Do yourself a favor and check out one of SL's best podcasters--you know it is good when Crap Mariner is a fan.

A Public Thank You to LL

2007-12-31T00:02:00.000-06:00

Over the past year and a half I've admittedly done more than my share of complaining about Second Life and its troubles. Before the year ended, it was my goal to write a song giving "thanks" to all of the Lindens that make Second Life possible. Despite my grumbing and poking fun at you in song, I do appreciate all of your hard work.

At the same time, I got to wondering about who the "Lindens" are, what they do, etc. Thanks to Google, I stumbled upon the Second Life wiki article about Linden Lab employees which yielded enough information for the following creation:

44 Lines about 22 Lindens

Torley is the famous Linden
He's the one that does the blog
Robla works in management
He's just another Linden cog
Meta is the data cruncher
for the common metrics team
Poppy Linden finds the bugs
that cause us residents to scream

Pathfinder sends his snapshots
to his famous Flickr page
Mia rounds up volunteers
who do good work but don't get paid
Chiyo Linden is Japanese
we all call her Chiyo-chan
Colossus works with Jesse
keeping live music going strong

Brad is making Windlight
to turn the weather on and off
Bridie helps to fix the grid
when it starts to hack and cough
Elle is the french Linden
she's the one I'd like to meet
Blue Linden is famous
for the avatars that look so neat

He's also known as Cyan Linden
on the teen grid

Frontier's techy articles
I can never understand
Ginsu made the final call
on who or what got permabanned
Catherine's gift at marketing
helps Linden Lab stay in the press
Steve makes the SL Viewer
so Second Life will looks its best
Phoenix works on open source
for which he gets a lot of grief
Harry's making help search better
that should give us all relief
Cory's Linden Scripting Language
is what our world is based upon
but Philip Linden had the vision
so he's the one that ends this song

Thank you Lindens.
44 lines about 22 Lindens.

Open Letter to Readers of ontohollywood

2007-11-13T20:09:00.000-06:00

From a post to the Music Dev list, I learned that there is an interest be YouTube performers about coming into SL to perform. I posted the following to the ontohollywood blog and am reposting it here:

As a member of the live music community of Second Life, I'd like to welcome all you readers to come into Second Life and check things out. It's a great place to catch a gig, make some friends or do just about everything that you can imagine.

It is also provides a wonderful opportunity for those of you looking for a place to perform YOUR original music, as long as you keep the following in mind:

(1) Second Life itself is pretty CPU and Graphics card intensive. Adding audio capture and streaming software to the mix will push your system to its limits, not to mention your broadband connection.

(2) Don't expect to learn Second Life AND performing in Second Life in the same day, or even the same week. It is going to take you a while to learn how to get around, communicate, find shows, listen to audio, rez something, search your inventory, buy stuff, etc. You HAVE to learn how to do all of that before you can even be in a position to consider live performing. My advice: get a SL account and spent a few weeks checking out gigs. You'll not only learn how to operate in SL, but you can get an idea of the venues that are available, meet some performers and make a determination as to whether or not SL is for you.

(3) Learning to stream audio is not as simple as "plug-n-play." After you get comfortable in SL and have settled on a virtual instrument to play, head over to one of the open mics that cater to new performers and introduce yourself. They can direct you as to which streaming application you should use and will walk you through the steps of accessing the stream, setting levels, etc. You are going to have to be able to juggle two or three different activities while performing. It's not hard, but does take a while to learn.

(4) Forget making any money in SL, at least at the beginning. No one is going to pay you to play if you don't know what you are doing, are an "unknown" in SL and don't have a following. Play for tips only. It will not only get you more gigs, but it will quickly give you some feedback as to whether or not performing in SL is for you. Think of it as virtual busking.

(5) Contrary to what you may think, SL is not a game to us residents. It is a place. We make friends, enemies, lovers; earn an income and spend a lot of time (and money!). There is a social protocol that is expected to be followed (e.g. use "/" before your typed chat at a gig) and an understood vocabulary. Behind every avatar is another human, some more fragile than others. Yes, there are some assholes in SL. There are also some of the finest people I have ever met. Please be one of the latter, and not the former.

(6) Audiences in SL prefer original music.

Feel free to email me and/or IM me if you make it in-world.

Best of luck,

Niko Donburi - The "Weird Al" of Second Life
www.nikodonburi.com

Slusic & a new look!

2007-10-21T15:27:00.000-05:00

I blink and another week or two slips by without me getting the chance to update the blog with the latest happening. Here are some of the highlights:

-- A new service has arisen which caters to SL music performers and fans: Slusic. Two of my CD's worth of music (Tales from the Grid and God doesn't care) are available for streaming. I'm nowhere near getting into the top 10 of songs played, but with your help who knows!... :-)
Click here to go to Niko Donburi's Slusic page

-- After a show on 10/20 I was interviewed by an SLCN reporter(Second Life Cable Network) for a new spot focusing on the SL live music scene. More details to follow...

-- More time in the studio has definitely paid off with not one or two but three new SL songs: "44 Lines About 22 Lindens," "Should I Stay or Should I Log In?" and "Virtual Stranger." While none of them have yet been uploaded for your listening pleasure, I am playing them at my gigs...

-- You can catch my show twice a month at the fine ASD Studios Hollywood sim where I've somehow convinced them to give me a two hour time slot rather than the standard one hour. This not only gives you the listener more time to satisfy your craving for an extra serving of Donburi (hehe nihongo no joudan) but also gives me more time to slow the pace down, add a couple more covers and a lot more originals. Check out the photo above for my latest performance sans hair!

Niko on Tonite Live!

2007-10-06T16:35:00.000-05:00

Come early to the set of the Second Life Cable Network's Tonite Live! with Paisley Beebe as it is going to be a packed sim. I'm this week's musical guest and will be interviewed post-performance by Paisley. Click here for a slurl to the show where you can watch it live. The show is also being streamed live in-world, so tune it in. It begins at 6 pm SL on Sun 10/7.

The show will be uploaded to the Tonite Live! website post-premiere so I'll get a link here in the next day or so as well.

Other guests include:

Upo Choche - Artistic Director - who will share how the Act Up Theater group brings 'live' theater to SL and Setori Spire - Metabrand Developer - who speciallizes in the conceptualization, design and development of Metabrands within the SL Metaverse.

2007-09-23T10:41:00.000-05:00

OK, I'm outing myself right here before you read it in the Second Life Insider, Second Life Herald or one of the other SL rags....

My show at the Plus sim opening will NOT be live. I am lipsynching the entire event. Actually, since SL lacks any ability to move lips (see Kronos' Lip Flap for more on this), I am not even able to lip synch. I am just going to be standing there, strumming my guitar whilst a German DJ plays my mp3s.

You are no doubt wondering how I went from being the "Weird Al" of Second Life to the Milli Vanilli almost overnight. I am as well.

Just Saturday evening I was rocking out the House of Flame's, raking in the Lindens and now, Monday afternoon at 11:30 am SL I'll be perched on the back of a semi trailer pseudo-lip synching to my OWN tunes at the opening of what appears to be a German Home Depo type store.

What's even worse is that I am doing the whole thing for nothing. Not a Linden. I thought I was going to be playing live so I went and got a nice 100 connect stream, started plugging phrases into Babelfish to have a bit of German patter between songs (don't want to make that infamous Kennedy gaff!) only to find out that they DON'T want me "live" live.

Why did I volunteer to do the show in the first place? Well, it was my understanding that this would be a bit of SL history.... The people behind the scenes will be broadcasting the event from Second Life to the real world via their lifecrawler application. At least, that's what I think is what should be happening. Babelfish translations can only get me so far!

If you are in-world, here is a slurl: http://www.slurl.com/secondlife/plus/288/139/31

Log into the DJ's (slr2) stream here.

House of Flames: Sat 9/22 at 8pm SL

2007-09-20T14:37:00.000-05:00

If you can't be in-world at the time of the show, feel free to listen in:

House of Flames stream

Cybster's Concert Stream

2007-09-12T17:16:00.000-05:00

Radar Masukami tracked me down after a show for an interview for his podcast, SL Under the Radar:

SL Under the Radar 015 - Niko Donburi on SL, Music, and the SLCC

There are plenty of great musicians in Second Life. Niko Donburi (http://www.nikodonburi.com/) is one such musician, and he talks to me about second life, music, and the experience of playing at the SLCC.

Intro music is "Under the Radar" by the band What The...? (http://www.what-the.com/) Outro song this time is "Dear Linden, Dear Linden by Niko Donburi.

Click here for direct download in mp3

Take a listen to it and his other episodes. And, for you other podcasters out there, don't forget that all of my songs are podcast friendly!!!

SLCC Audio

2007-09-09T19:56:00.000-05:00

Despite the technology problems at SLCC 2007 which thwarted plans to have performers in-world at the same time we were performing in Chicago, the audio was professionally captured, recorded and mixed by Nethermind Bliss. It is slowly being posted to the Internet Archive, a hosting site which features all sorts of free stuff that is in the public domain.

All of the music performances at SLCC can be located here.

Second Jam Radio

2007-08-31T20:13:00.000-05:00

Xerses Goff (mastermind behind the Arbor Project and The Teleportation Trail), after being interviewed by ABC News at SLCC, turned around and interviewed me for his nascent Second Jam radio station.

Not only are many of my Second Life parodies playing, but he also has snippets from our interview and some of my non-SL songs as well. Other artists include Cylindrian Rutabaga, Rich DeSoto, Ka-klick Martin, and others.... Listen in.

Can't make SLCC? No problem!

2007-08-17T14:53:00.000-05:00

I understand if this year's SLCC in Chicago is just too far away for you to attend, I really do. That's no excuse, however, for not catching the show.

Those of you with Second Life accounts can attend one of the various in-world venues that will be live streaming the audio. I and the rest of the band (the Music Monkeys) will be logged into SL whilst we are playing so you will be virtually there. If the many sims are full, lagged or if you simply have something else to do in-world then you can stream the audio to your parcel: http://social.phreak-radio.com.

What? You don't have any land? No problem: I'm setting my Tyta parcel to the stream before I leave so that you can stop by the ole duck pond (yes, it truly is a duck pond) and enjoy some SL wildlife along with the tunes.

Those of you that are technologically impaired or have chosen to avoid getting a Second Life for whatever reason don't need to feel left out either. Well, OK, you can feel left out but you can still listen in by entering the following into WinAmp, I-Tunes or another stream reader:

http://phreak-radio.com/social.pls

And lastly, those of you who truly have NO IDEA what the hell I am talking about need to get a life....

Tales from the Grid

2007-08-15T21:30:00.000-05:00

After heavy lobbying from certain nuts in the peanut gallery I call my fanclub, the name of the CD has been finalized as Tales from the Grid. Actually, I think it perfectly summarizes the contents of the songs contained within.

Those of you attending SLCC in Chicago on Sat. August 25th will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase the CDs. I've only printed up 35 of them so once they are gone, they are gone. I'll set one aside for you if you send me an email. Heck, I'll even mail you one if you want to pay for shipping. The cost: only $5 US or whatever the equivalent is in Lindens! That's a better deal than you'll be getting on iTunes when I get around to finalizing the details for inclusion on that all-too-addictivesite.

CD title headache

2007-08-04T00:52:00.000-05:00

As some of you know, I am in the process of finalizing a CD of my SL songs to bring to SLCC. Esch Snoates, design builder of Artropolis sim and a featured artist at this year's SLCC, and I have been trying to come up with a suitable title for the CD. Something that will capture the essence of the songs and SL.

Here are some of the ones discussed this evening:

"Second Life: Buggier Than First Life"
"The Furry Linden Conspiracy"
"Grid Wars: A New Dope"
"Lindens and Furrys and Geeks, Oh My!"
"Tales from the Grid"
"The Magical Mystery Grid"
"Second Life Survival Guide"
"Things to listen to while the grid is down"
"Second Life: The Saga Of The Rolling Update"
"Dear Linden, Dear Linden"
"Second Life: It's not just for porn anymore"
"Biting The Grid That Feeds Me"
"SL: The Chronicles Of Noob"
"So Pretentious, It's Untitled"
"Don't Eat Soggy Cornchips"
"This Aint' Yo Mama's Second Life"
"Not Suitable For Anybody"
"Missing Image"
"SL: The Day The Grid Died"
"Stability Isn't Just A Four Letter Word"
"Songs That Make You AFK"
"Packet Loss And You"
"Songs To Lag By"
"Untitled and Unloved"
"The Truth About Second Life"
"Waiting For A Third Life"
"For A Few Lindens More"
"A Fist Full Of Lindens"
"God Save The Lindens!"
"In Second Life, Titles Write You!"
"My poseball is bigger than your poseball"
"Gridstock"
"Singing In The Grid"
"Darkside Of The Grid"
"Bark At The Grid"
"Last Train To Gridsville"
"Sgt Niko's Lonely Second Life Band"
"SL: A Cry For Help"
"Second Life: A Fork In The Eye"
"Don't blame me, I voted for Niko!"
"Buy This CD And Grow Hair!"
"6 Songs To Help You Lose Weight!"
"Flammable Songs For Combustable People"
"The First Of Second Life"
"A Second Life First"

At the conclusion of which I said to hell with it and decided to simply name the thing "Second Life".

SLCC: Here we come!

2007-07-30T23:47:00.000-05:00

Thankfully, as you have all likely heard by now, the performers at SLCC and the powers-that-are at SLCC were able to come to an agreement over the terms of the release. You can read more at the SLNN website.

2007-07-07T11:34:00.000-05:00

OK, it was all my fault. I posted, in relevant part, the following on the SLCC Music Performers group:

I recently saw this on http://slcc2007.wordpress.com/2007/06/28/slcc-community-standards-agreement:

"5. With the exception of Phreak Media and its subsidiaries, recording
of video or audio of any sessions or live performances is strictly
prohibited and subject to legal action. We are bound by both union
rules and contractual obligations. This does not apply to news
coverage and interviews or incidental documentary footage, B-Roll and
background images. It is not permissible to rebroadcast any
performance, panel or track."

I found this "new requirement" particularly interesting given that I
am one of the performers that has been selected to perform at SLCC. It
was certainly news to me that I am now prohibited from recording (on
audio or video) my own performance. Even more interesting is that I
have somehow given "Phreak Media" (whomever they may be) the EXCLUSIVE
rights to record and publish my performance. When did I do this?

I think all of us performers are entitled to an explanation as to what
is going on. I routinely record my performances (both in RL and SL)
and encourage others to do as well. I was not pleased to find out that
some otherwise unknown entity (The Future United) has given another
unknown entity (Phreak Media) an exclusive license over my
intellectual property without having the decency to inform me.

The response included a "release" that I was informed I had to sign in order to play at SLCC. Then the fun began as set forth:

on Slim's blog

and SecondLife Insider amongst others.

Of particular note was John Swords a/k/a Johnny Ming of SecondCast's comment:

3. The agreement between Phreak Radio and SLCC organizers was not in the spirit of new media and should be reconsidered because its simply unprecedented.

I personally will attend regardless of what the musicians do. However, I fully intend to audio and video podcast from the event.

If Phreak Radio or the SLCC organizers want to escort me or anyone else off the premises for doing so, so be it.

Posted at 6:01PM on Jul 6th 2007 by John Swords

Let's all hold our breath and see what happens!!

Blog Posts

2007-06-19T17:41:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my handy-dandy ego notification system (aka Google!), I received notice that Bella March stumbled upon and put in a plug for my tunes. Take a look at her post on her blog The Adventures of Bella March in Second Life.

It turns out that google doesn't get everything as Vint Falken also posted on her blog VintFalken.com about AND suggested an additional verse for Dear Linden, Dear Linden.

As Vint comments, Dear Linden, Dear Linden is a bit outdated these days. Everytime I play it I have to keep increasing the number of millions referenced in the third verse. When I first wrote it, 1,000,000 users was still a bit of a ways off (and brought the grid to its knees). Now we are at 7,256,167 as of this post. By the time SLCC comes around, I wonder if we'll have reached 10 million?

2007-06-01T22:15:00.000-05:00

Take a look at this great screenshot captured by the talented Kronos. More can be found at his Bonfire photo site.

Upcoming Show

2007-05-02T12:26:00.000-05:00

My next scheduled gig is, of course, the upcoming 24 hour BonFire Festival to be held June 1st and 2nd. I was given the 7 pm SL time slot by the ever gracious Flameheart Sol. Start spreading the word!

SL Relay for Life

2007-05-02T01:35:00.000-05:00

Despite the problems with the most-recent update, there was a good turnout at last nite's gig starting off Haroldthe Burrel's "Once a Day in May" live music event for the SL Relay for Life on-going benefit. He is featuring a different performer each nite and was relentless in his attempts to get me to come out of "summer semi-retirement" and play a gig. While I don't know the finally tally of contributions made last night, hopefully he got off to a good start.

On other matters, I am honored to announce that the artistic creator of Artropolis Esch Snoats is working on the cover art for my Second Life CD which will be for sale at SLCC.

SecondCast: Escape - The Second Life Song

2007-04-04T21:23:00.000-05:00

My car was broken into the other day and I haven't had a chance to get a new one. Hence I missed episode #55 of SecondCast where they played Escape - The Second Life Song in the middle of the podcast!

I was cooking dinner for the kids listening to SecondCast episodes I had missed when suddenly my daughter starts laughing and jumping around, yelling "that's Daddy's song"!

Blog Post: PacificRim Exchange

2007-04-02T20:47:00.000-05:00

I was talking to a RL friend the other day about SL, you know, trying to explain what this cyberspaceplace really is all about, and I made the comment that my SL persona had more google hits than my RL one. When I ran my name through, I found a nice comment on the PacificRim Exchange blog wondering how many Linden Lab iPods have these tracks in their playlists?

Hmm... I know that Pathfinder Linden has heard my tunes. Perhaps a Linden may stumble upon this and let me know if I'm getting any airplay there at LL?

BTW, the post on PacificRim Exchange about the History of Avatars is worth a look.

House of Flames gig goes down in, well, flames!

2007-03-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

So there I am, three-fourths of the way through my House of Flames gig when someone hijacks my stream! Apparently the in-world vendor I purchased it from sold it to someone else as well. So I'm trying to play a quiet acoustic tune whilst some other guy has decided to DJ deathcore or something. Quite an abrupt sound switch for my listening audience.

I've IMed the stream provider and am awaiting a response--and my money back. After all, my gig was ruined and I lost income I would have normally received PLUS came across looking as a complete noob who doesn't know how to stream a show. Hopefully the stream proprietor will make good so that I don't have to name names and spread word of what happened. Screw ups DO happen and I am willing to live with that, but I want my 4,000 Linden back.

Watch this space for more details....

IT'S OFFICIAL: SLCC2007 here we come!

2007-03-16T13:34:00.000-05:00

Just as I was getting ready to log off yesterday evening, I received an IM from Nethermind that the selection of performers for SLCC2007 in Chicago had been made and that I was chosen to be one of the soloists that will be backed by the house band!!

So, if you are in Chicago August 24th - 26th, be sure and stop by the Chicago Hilton and check out the live performance. It is also my understanding that a SLCC2007 Compilation Album is going to be put out featuring a song from each of the performers. While I'll be putting out a poll in-world to determine which tune should go on the CD, feel free to drop me a comment as well.

Surprise! Donburi on Secondcast #53

2007-03-15T18:46:00.000-05:00

I was listening to SecondCast episode #53 "Beer in the Ballroom" when I heard Johnnie mention my name as the one who did the intro music to SecondCast episode #52 "One Year Anniversary." Then he went ahead and played "Dear Linden, Dear Linden" again!

Episode #53 was about SLCC2007. I've submitted my stuff to be one of the "chosen five." Hmmm.... coincidence? Guess we'll just all have to wait and see. In the meantime, why not listen to some tunes?

gig: March 24 at House of Flames

2007-03-14T19:37:00.000-05:00

I'll be headlining the House of Flames line-up for the March 24th "March Madness" show. I've submitted some material for use in their podcast which should be coming out shortly. I sent them a new tune written especially for the upcoming gig: My Favorite Things (About Second Life) so hopefully they'll give it a play.

NIKO DONBURI: THE SL COMMUNITY MUSICAL MUSE

2007-03-07T21:15:00.000-06:00

There is nothing cooler than run a google search on yourself and finding a post. Lordfly Digeridoo had a nice post about me on his GridBlog:

"If you’ve been listening to Secondcast lately, you might have caught 'Dear Linden, Dear Linden' by Niko Donburi, an acoustic guitar musician who happens to write catchy songs about Second Life. His song style is pretty catchy, even the faux-covers (of REM and Cheech and Chong, so far), but the lyrics cover pretty much most of the facets of the SL experience. Give him a listen :)"

Hopefully the SLCC judges are reading!

Kat's Place podcast

2007-03-04T16:42:00.000-06:00

Katronix Serf (cool name), the host of the The Kat's Place podcast, has asked me to write him a theme song for his show. Take a listen and let me know what you think of it. He also features Dear Linden, Dear Linden as one of his spotlight tunes so now you've GOT to listen in....

[t2]SecondTunes

2007-03-02T22:00:00.000-06:00

Bobby Fairweather has spent a lot of time getting SecondTunes up and running. It allows us SL based musicians to sell or give away our mp3s in-world. My bio page can be found here. And yes, I know that that is a low def picture I have up but I haven't had the chance to upload a better one yet.

At any rate, stop by Bobby's music store in-world and get some tunes!

SLCC?

2007-03-01T21:53:00.000-06:00

Today was the deadline for submissions to SLCC2007. Only five performers will be selected to play on stage during the live event. I submitted three of my SL tunes: Second Life (That's Where I Want To Be), Dear Linden, Dear Linden and It's the End of the World As We Know It (In Second Life). Watch this space to find out if I am one of the chosen few...!

Blog Post: 9scape

2007-02-26T15:49:00.000-06:00

SL resident iconolith Taggart and RL participant Christen Bouffard (by day, an instructional designer for UAF who spends a disproportionate amount of time exploring SL from an educational perspective; by night a pie loving shape-changer) gave me a nice "shout out" on her 9scape blog and gave the links to Second Life (That's Where I Want To Be) and Dear Linden, Dear Linden. Be sure and take a look at her blogs.

Donburi on iLike!

2007-02-23T17:32:00.000-06:00

I was just googling myself one day (boy, that sounds dirty, doesn't it?) and ran across a hit on iLike. Much to my surpise there is a listing for Niko Donburi. That's pretty cool. Someone called Robbiet480 has, as of this date, listened to Second Life (That's Where I Want To Be) 20 times!

I am going to do some more digging into this Robbiet480 person who obviously has great taste!

Dear Linden, Dear Linden on Secondcast

2007-02-22T16:59:00.000-06:00

The Secondcast 1 year anniversary show begins with Dear Linden, Dear Linden. It will be interesting to see what type of attention this will attract. Perhaps the SLCC2007 music selection folks will happen to listen to it and think, "damn, we've got to have this guy play as one of the chosen five..."

Gig: The Cafe

2007-02-17T20:22:00.000-06:00

I had a great time performing at the Cafe in Barcelona last nite. If you have not seen that sim then you definitely need to stop by and check it out. It was also the first time I have played for an SL audience that had a significant number of non-English speakers. It certainly made following the chat a bit more difficult!

Thanks to the following for their contributions: Liam Serf, Jacobi Haskell, Tami Lyne, Zann Canto, Maximillian Desoto, Kent Diplomat, Sean Cinquetti, Flameheart Sol, Kelly Young , Lovely Encore , Eponymous Drake and the ever generous Circe Broom !

Gig: Artropolis

2007-02-12T16:56:00.000-06:00

Niko Donburi plays Live at Artropolis 02, originally uploaded by Pathfinder Linden.

Here is Pathfinder over on the left. Is that a frog? Lizard? I'd best check his profile and see. If someone knows, put it in the comments... please!

Gig: Artropolis

2007-02-12T16:46:00.000-06:00

Niko Donburi plays Live at Artropolis 03, originally uploaded by Pathfinder Linden.

I played the Artropolis Sim opening at the Mandel'Brats and Brew stage yesterday. Artropolis is the only artist colony in SL that supports all the arts: Art, Music, Poetry, and Theater. Esch Snoats did the building of the sim and it looks great. I think Filthy Fluno runs the place.

Before the gig I had a bit of trouble TPing into the sim as it was full. I thought I might end up ghost streaming the gig but fortunately someone got a Linden to lift the AV cap. Or perhaps someone else got booted out of SL and I happened to push the button at the right time!

A funny story: I was just getting into the set and half-way through Dear Linden, Dear Linden when Pathfinder Linden strolls in and stands right up by the stage. As best I could tell, his AV is an amphibian of some sorts. Then he hops up, only to get hit in the head by the ceiling fan. It was quite hilarious. I actually stopped playing and had to restart the song. Pathfinder has posted more photos he took over on Flickr so take a look....

Secondcast plays Donburi!

2006-11-14T17:04:00.000-06:00

I am an avid listener of the Secondcast podcast so you can imagine my excitement when I learned that Secondcast episode #41 "Samuri Podcasting" opened with Second Life (That's Where I Want To Be)!!!

I had been reading their website and noticed a feedback link and dropped them an email with the song. I figured why not? I got a reply back a day or two later that Johnny Ming (aka Swords) liked the tune and was going to put it in the next episode.

Gig: Hummingbird Cafe

2006-11-06T17:26:00.001-06:00

Finished up It's the End of the World As We Know It (In Second Life) and got the kids to bed in time to make the open mic at the Hummingbird. I was the last performer and they kept the gig going a bit later than usual for me to get my short, SL-set in.

Milady Guillaume took a couple of photos of me performing. Take a look at this one.