Sponsors for Second Life Live Music Venues

For those who don't know, Second Life Live Music Venue owners typically carry all the costs of running the venues. They pay tier for land to have the venue on, some venues pay the performers and some are tips only and some pay a staff.  Most rely on venue tips to help recoup just a small fraction of those costs, however, it rarely comes close to covering even the costs of paying performers. So it is very important that people do tip the venues when they can. Tipping is a kind gesture to thank venues for providing free entertainment.

To further help alleviate some of the costs, I recommend venues try to find sponsors. I have had success in the past with finding sponsors for the performers I manage for their individual shows. Also, I have had success with sponsors covering costs for big events.

Here are a few ways to get started finding sponsors.....

1. Figure out your venues numbers. How many shows a week for how many hours. Then keep track of your average draw per hour. This can be done simply by looking at how many people are at the show at the mid way point which is typically the peak time. Keep track of those numbers for a few weeks and then you have something to approach sponsors with.

In real life events are sponsored all the time.

2. Know how much of your costs you are trying to cover. If you spend L$XXXXX a week, what % would you like to get sponsors to help with?

3. Put together a note card that outlines the data from your venue numbers to show the sponsors how many people they can reach by sponsoring your shows. Also, include how long the sponsorship would last.... weekly? monthly?

4. Reach out to content creators that are suitable for your venue and explain to them that you can offer to place their Logo on a clickable prim or adboard with a LM to their location near your stage for X amount of time for X amount of L$. Also, it will help to explain that the sponsors will be mentioned by you or your staff through out the shows X number of times.

Don't fear rejection, this is after all a sales pitch to the content creators. You have to go through some no's before you get to yes's but if you can point out the benefit to the creators, then eventually you will find some willing to give it a chance.

Start with creators from stores where you shop, then you can tell them that you are a regular customer and you will feel good about promoting their brand at your venue.

This is just a quick blog post with ideas, its up to you to put in the time and effort to make it happen. I'm happy to consult with venue owners if you need more information or tips on how to go about finding sponsors. Just drop me a notecard in Second Life, Kalli Birman is my legacy name.

Quality Vs. Quantity: Performing In Second Life

Something I’ve noticed about myself when considering going to a concert in Second Life is that I look at who is playing at a certain time, say 7 pm slt/pdt, and if there is a performer that I enjoy but performs multiple shows a day many days a week, I will pass over their show for someone who does not play as much. I will basically say to myself “Oh X will have more shows tomorrow or later tonight, I will maybe catch them then.”

I’ve known performers in SL that are doing multiple shows a day, sometimes with only an hour between shows. I really feel like they are doing a disservice to both their career and the venues that are booking them. Second Life.

Playing multiple shows close together will affect your potential draw. People will have more possible times where they can come see you, so instead of having one really well attended show, you end up with several less attended. The exception for this in SL is if you put 6 hours between your shows, which will be targeting different time zones. If you have a show at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm, you are essentially targeting the same basic audience but if you have a 2pm show and 8pm show, there are different people on for each time period.

As a venue owner and longtime venue manager, I have also seen how overbooking negatively impacts the venue. The owner pays for a performer to come play, often the venue has stores or something that helps them generate income to pay for the performers. If you are losing draw because you are booking a lot of shows close together, you devalue yourself to the venue since your draw suffers and consequently, the venue traffic. Then venue owners will be less likely to rebook you and even want to pay less because you are not bringing in the traffic to justify  paying the full price. There are venues who book and pay for shows for the love of music and do not have an expectation of draw. However, since many venues have stores that pay rent - as their main source of revenue - they will simply will not pay performers if traffic is not repeatedly maintained.

Potentially, in performing fewer shows, you can actually generate more money. You can charge a little more per show and expect higher attendance. This means better tips for you and better donations to a happier venue (who is more likely to have you back).

Also, by performing less, you can help reduce the 6pm to 8pm slt “event congestion”. On any given day there could be 50+ concerts happening at 7pm slt. Having so many possible concerts at one time also can hurt attendance. If you eliminate a few shows a week during those “prime times” it can help the community over all.

Second Life Performers Support Each Other

One of the things I love about the live music scene in Second Life is how much performers support each other.

I am arranging an event in Second Life in support of Seth Regan’s (Mankind Tracer) Indiegogo campaign to help fund his next album, “Left of Center”. If you are reading this and don’t know who Seth and I are, he is my best friend, business partner and I manage his musical career. He is one of the most generous people I know. He is always there for me when I need someone and for others too. So arranging this event was the least I could do for him. If you don’t know his music...check HERE.

I approached a few performers and asked them to do 30 minute sets during this event. Without a blink Noma Falta, Maximillion Kleene and Savannah Coronet said yes. I also wanted to make the event more than just music, so I asked well known SL stand-up comic Lauren Weyland to be involved as well and she agreed right away.  Find the event deails HERE.

This sort of support from SL performers just made me smile ear to ear. Seth has given over 6 years to the Second Life music community with live concerts, donating his time and shows to charity events and even helping friends with personal events to cover a need. It is great to see performers coming together to support him.

Check out Seth’s Indiegogo campaign HERE

My heartfelt thanks go out to Noma, Max, Savannah and Lauren!

Seth Regan "Underground" CD Release

Cover Art for "Underground" Created by Seth Regan

Seth Regan, known in SL as Mankind Tracer, will be releasing his fourth CD this weekend with an exclusive event in Second Life. With this newest CD, Regan gifts us with a cathartic landscape.  Song themes include falling down in life and getting back up to dust off and try again and the help that we can get from other people when we let go of our pride and reach out.

Emile Sands-Stratten, venue owner, stated, "Seth's latest effort, 'Underground', takes us on a musical journey as deep as the name promises."

Ground Zero Owner, Theadee, comments "Seth Regan is a talented performer and songwriter.  He writes about themes that I can relate and connect to, especially in songs like 'Do It Again' and 'Underground.' The music that goes with his lyrics is equally amazing and I keep wanting to hear more!"

Seth remains Second Life's most well known "rock star." In the five-and-a-half years that he has been performing live in SL, he has self released 3 CD's and shared them with the SL community. More than that, he released them first into SL.  "Underground" will be Seth's fourth self release into Second Life. Seth has said, "Much of the lyrics and music are incredibly personal to me, I didn't want to hold back on this album." He went on to say "…and as the listeners are in the songs, I just hope they can understand these things that have happened in my own life influencing me and relate on a deeper level."

Previous CD releases include "Beyond the Shade" and Depth of Shadows." They are full of Seth's insightful original music featuring haunting melodies and recognizable vocal performances that pull the listener closer to his meaningful lyrics. Seth's most popular and requested song, "Inside Your Dreams," is a moving ballad played in rotation on many SL radio stations. "Stream of Sound", Seth's third release, contains acoustic version of twelve covers and 4 originals. All recordings for "Stream of Sound"  were voted on and chosen to appear on the album by SL residents.

The Release Party for "Underground" is set for Sunday, April 1, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. SLT at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Good%20Day%20Sunshine/207/79/22 , a location exemplifying the theme of the album, its music, and artwork. Devoted to every aspect of the album's creation, Seth let us know, "I really enjoyed every aspect of bringing this project to fruition."


For more information, promo requests or to set up an interview please contact:

Brandy Maltas/ Kalli Birman in SL
Mankind Tracer Manager
Email - brandy@sethregan.com

Musician Spotlight: Troy Shoreland (Darkshore)

Tonight it was my pleasure to go see Darkshore (Troy Shoreland from The Follow) perform an all acoustic live set of heartfelt originals and timeless covers. The show was held at a beautiful venue called Ce Soir, which is a large natural stone build almost cathedral like nestled into lovely trees and landscaping.

Darkshore is a true artist and a dear friend who never fails to amaze me with his shows. When talking between songs you can tell he has a great spirit and amazing soul. He connects with his audience and shares a rare piece of himself.

Troy Shoreland in Second Life is the front man and lead guitarist for the band The Follow. When performing together he is joined by AJ Darkwatch on bass and Powers Avon on drums. They stream from their studio fully plugged in. I highly recommend checking out both Troy's acoustic sets as Darkshore and The Follow, as they are nothing less than fantastic! Check out The Follow HERE

Managing A Musician in Second Life

I've been managing musicians in Second Life for three years now and I love it! In the past I have managed the music career of Craig Lyons, Guitar Zane and others. Currently, I am managing Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan in real life.

With every musician I have managed, I take it seriously. To me it's no different than a real life job with real commitments and by taking on the management of a musician, they are putting their career into your hands. Second Life offers musicians a global audience that they may never have had in RL. It is a chance to get their name out there and develop their very real fan base and even sell some CDs.

If you want to manage a musician, or currently do, you MUST keep in mind that this is a business. You are in the business of promoting, booking and creative development. Also, I cannot express enough, you are a reflection on the musician you manage and they are a reflection on you. So act professionally.

What do I mean by act professionally? Well, to start with, be kind, to everyone. Be nice to newbies, venue owners, fans, hosts, other managers, musicians....everyone. Even when someone is not being really nice to you, be nice back. Kill them with kindness. There will be times when you might have a disagreement with someone, that is bound to happen eventually, just remember to not lose your temper and keep a professional attitude.

Dress to impress! Think about the shows you have booked and even visit the venue before hand to see what is appropriate for that venue. Don't wear jeans to a ballroom and don't wear a ball gown on the beach. As a musician manager, you have some flexibility because you can dress "rock & roll" or to a theme but keep in mind that it is still unprofessional to have your butt cheeks hanging out or cleavage spilling out all over the place. In Second Life I believe that we have become a bit desensitized to blatant sexuality but as a professional you do need to dress the part. When in doubt go conservative.

Communication is key! You NEED to be able to communicate effectively with many people, such as, the musician, venue owners, hosts, fans, media and others. Make sure you have good communication skills! You can schedule times to sit down to meet with your musician to discuss upcoming gigs if they are very busy in RL or you can just make a point to communicate daily with pertinent information. This is very important to a successful working relationship. Also, communication with venues is super important. If your musician needs to cancel or reschedule or is running late you HAVE to let the venue know or you might not get your musician booked there again.

"When considering a manager to handle your music career, it is imperative that you find someone you communicate well with and understands your vision of what you want for your music career. They need to understand that this is a job that you are counting on them to perform professionally and that you are putting your name, your brand and your trust into their hands."- Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan

These are just some basics of musician management, I do offer one on one training for managers. Right now, I am not taking on new talent in SL, however, if you need a little help with creative development or mentoring you are free to email me. If interested please email me with links to music, your name and the sort of assistance you are looking for:  brandy@maltasmanagement.com

Venue & Musician Management Workshops

Many of you may know that I plan to hold two workshops, one on venue management and one on musician management.

I have been in Second Life since early 2008 and in that time I have built up a great career managing musicians and venues, as well as doing PR and Marketing and various other ventures. Currently I manage the music career of Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan, who is also my business partner in the Tracer|Birman Agency and The Village & Club Graffiti and I manage two venues for Solace Beach Estates. In the past I have managed such performers as Craig Lyons and Guitar Zane. I  also co-produced and the creator of the Where Is The Concert? HUNT and just opened a vintage clothing store, Brandy's Attic.

Several people have expressed interest in the workshops. Below the times and dates are listed.


The workshops will be broken up into two sessions:

Live Music Venue Owner/Manager:

Feb. 11, 2012 from 1-3pm slt
Feb. 25, 2012 from  1-3pm slt

Musician Managers:

Feb 11, 2012, from 3-5pm slt
Feb 25, 2012, from 3-5pm slt

The cost for these workshops is $40 for each two session workshop, payable via paypal or in SL in L$.

Please contact me ASAP signed up.

In Second Life you can send me a note card with your SL name (not display name) and the name of the venue or musician you manage or you can send me the same info via email to brandy@tracerbirman.com

Musician Spotlight: Maximillion Kleene

Maximillion Kleene @ Luna Bliss

I have decided to start featuring performers and venues once in a while. I went over to see Maximillion Kleene today. He was performing at Luna Bliss surrounded by a beautiful green landscape. Max is a friend and also a great musician. He performs a vast selection of covers like Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz.

Max is probably one of the sweetest people you will ever have the fortune to run across in Second Life. I was lucky enough to meet Max in real life at the Chicago Jam of 2010 and I can tell you that he is as nice a guy in person as in SL. If you enjoy quirky upbeat performers with a true love for music, then I highly recommend checking out one of his shows. If you are very lucky you will get to hear Max dual streaming from across the country with a fellow performer.

Max @ Luna Bliss

Brandy's Attic Opening Today!

Logo by Seth Regan

You are invited to the launch of Brandy's Attic, a vintage clothing store located in The Village, and everything is priced L$200 or less from quality Second Life content creators. The launch will be held in the park right outside the store today, Wednesday, Feb. 1st at 1pm slt. Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan will be performing live!!

The Village,owned by  Seth Regan and myself, is a 1/4 sim build that has been modeled after Greenwich Village, NYC of the '70s. The build features several great designer stores and a club based on the famous CBGB where the punk movement began.
Brandy's Attic will feature designs from :  DeeTalez, Cynful, Sassy!, La Flat, Angelwings, Mashooka, 1 Hundred, Callie Cline, 24 Shoo Shoes, Paris Metro, Vanity Hair, Azoury. Lou Lou & Co, Siss Boom, Evale, Sakide, Snowpaws and The Jewllery Exchange

Join us for the launch by clicking HERE!

Queens, Grannies And Other Interesting SL Residents

 This will be an ongoing blog series about people in Second Life that add interest to our SL experience and overall enhance the general landscape of Second Life.

The very first interesting Second Life resident that I am have chosen to interview is Bob McBoint. I met Bob a few months ago in SL at a live music concert. Where right away I noticed what a charming woman she is.

She quickly became one of my favorite concert goers! She has a charm and whit that is matched by none and an amazing sense of style. Bob is a true lady who handles herself with class and decorum. Okay, maybe not so much decorum.

I sat down this evening to interview Bob about her experience in SL. I must say, Bob's experiences in Second Life have been very unique if not scandalous! You can check out Bob's Blog HERE.

I teleported Bob over to skybox that I use as a workspace above the club that Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan and I own. After the initial pleasantries we got right into the interview....


Brandy: I guess the best place to start is how you came to know about SL and why you joined?
You are still a spring chick by your rez date.

Bob: I don't entirely remember... It was something I'd known about for a year or more and had always vaguely thought I'd look into one day. Then eventually that one day arrived!

Brandy: How did your avie evolve... did you start out young and gradually age ?

Bob: I seem to remember someone had told me you could float around being a bubble, and initially my intention was to float around as a bubble called Bob, but then I couldn't find the bubble; however, when I discovered a skin that would allow my inner being to shine, I became Old Lady Bob instead. I do have three or four other avatars, but none human.

Brandy: How "old" is old lady Bob?

Bob: I suspect one may be a Time Lord and thus technically older than me at over 700 years old, but, oh, I'm getting off track aren't I? What an indelicate question! blushes

Brandy: Well, they might get less delicate :P

Bob: But a true lady never reveals her age! My oh my, the values they teach you youngsters. I think I am approximately 70, but I may have lost or gained some birthdays here and there. Sustained space travel will do that to you.

Brandy (kalli.birman): I did meet you at a live music event and have gotten to know you, so I know that you are a music lover.... what other sort of activities keep you occupied in SL?

Bob: Hmm, well, mostly just Bobbling around the place.I am insatiably curious and I like looking at people's profiles.

Brandy: Me too..big time profile perv.

Bob: I have joined some bizarre and peculiar groups and visited some bizarre and peculiar places as a result of profile perving.

Brandy: Could you tell me about some of your more interesting adventures?

Bob : Probably the most interesting involves Nazis and sexual assault. Are you sure you want to hear about the depravaties I have witnessed in my brave and soulsearching search of SL's underground horrors?

Brandy: Well, lets assume we are talking about non- X rated adventures.

Bob: Well they weren't really X-Rated, as the Nazi in question remained fully clothed. I was simply investigating a fascinating fellow I came across at a live music event, and rather than judging, decided to go along and see what these rape fantasy sims were all about. After chasing a handsome young chap around the sim for some minutes, I ran across a griefer in a Nazi uniform, shouting anti-Semitic insults at people.

Brandy: oh no :(

Bob: So I alerted the admins and thus am loved wherever I go. Even as an old lady chasing young men around pervy sex sims.

Brandy: Would you say you are generally loved or do you have a few Bob Haters out there?

Bob: My other most interesting adventures have involved mud-wrestling, but you already know all about those. ( She is referring to the mud wrestling last night at the birth/rez day party of FunkyFreddy Republic at Solace Beach)

Brandy: Ido.

Bob: I am generally loved and adored, tolerated, or ignored. Only people with intense personality disorders dislike me.I know this for a fact, as my psychoastrologist told me.

Brandy: well, I would be in the Love and Adore catergory myself

Bob: Excuse me one moment, BRB

Brandy (kalli.birman): okay

Bob: I have returned. I think I was thinking something about paint brushes on my way back, but what it was has now entirely slipped my mind.

Brandy: Welcome Back :)

Bob: Thank you. I am a little hypnotized by the discovery of prim nails.

Brandy: My blog is going to feature some interesting people around SL... people who might otherwise might not show up in popular publications. I was wondering... what interesting characters have you met and enjoyed the company of?

Bob: That sounds perfect, and something I've meant to do more of, but I'm very bad at putting my brain together enough to write things.I have met YOU, Kalli!

Brandy: :D Thank you Bob.

Bob McBoint (bobmcboint): I have even met Mankind Tracer. I hear he's famous.

Brandy: Oh...yes... he is quite the charmer I hear.

Bob: Ayesha Lytton. I hear she likes watching women mud wrestle.

Brandy: That is a well populated rumor.

Bob: I hope again to run into a Mr Stephen Frypan, who was a small and extremely hilarious green alien I met at a concert.FunkyFreddy Republic, who has a crush on me.QuentinCrispy, Second Life's 2nd most fashionable man.The Infamous Sundai Devinna and her kinky boyfriend Lucas Black! GWAMPA. The genuinely inspirational Bowie Zeplin.

Brandy (kalli.birman): Well, sounds like you meet a lot of people.

Bob: Yesterday I met The Batman, as a matter of fact. He didn't say a great deal however. Shy type.

Brandy: He seems like the strong silent sort. So, Bob, if you could give the general SL population some advice... what would it be?

Bob: I am also most fond of the Hobo crowd, who gave me this haggis hat, which allows me to tell people's fortunes (or so I have recently been caused to discover). That was not an answer to the last question, about which I am pondering. I would tell them that it is extremely important to take a moment to stand up from the computer and stretch their arms, circle their shoulders, and inhale deeply on their bongs. If you want to sing out, sing out! You can be anything you want to be, so why on earth would you waste your time being a stuck up asshole? I would tell them to set free the birds, and leave the sheep unmolested, for we aand nature are one. Ban the bomb, I would cry to them!

Brandy: That is very sage advice and to end any confusion... is Bob short for something?

Bob: I would also have a word or two to them about their socks. But that would be taking the conversation in an entirely wrong direction. Bob is short for many things! In this particular case however, it is short for Roberta. In my day, to take a "male" short form was a feminist statement.

Brandy: I think we need to start a movement to get you on the cover of BOSL Magazine.

Bob: In my past life I was a suffragette, and its influence still holds dear. This is why I sometimes wear stilettos. They're so good for stamping on pesky men's feet with.Oh! What a terrifyingly tingly thought!

Brandy (kalli.birman): How is it terrifying.

Bob: I am merely shivering in anticipation of the fame and fortune and endless attention from men wishing to peel grapes for me that must follow. Sometimes, all I want is a room somewhere. Far away from the cold night air.

Brandy: Speaking of men... do you have many suitors?

Bob McBoint: I have had one or two offers, but on the whole I feel I should stay true to you and to Bowie. I know this is hard for Freddy to take, but it's the way it is.

Brandy: We would appreciate that.

Bob: I will confess that I have, once or twice, propositioned men on kinky sex sims, but for some reason they always leave.

Brandy: Imagine that? A lady of your beauty and they leave.

Bob: However there is one man who I'm holding out for, who, should he cast his roving eye in my direction, should he give me that blessed chance, I would, alas, dump you for... I'm sure you can guess who that is.

Brandy: Lucas?

Bob: Good lord what no. Hahaha you are a bad girl!Gwampa!

Brandy: Oh yes... Gwampa... You would make a great couple I'm sure.

Bob: I have had my eye on him from the moment I first heard the magic of his name. One drunken night, we danced together and he humped me, and my heart has never recovered.

Brandy: oh Bob... I might be a bit jealous.

Bob: I am so terribly sorry. What a slut I am! It's just, something in the way he moves, it attracts me like no other lover.

Brandy: well, I think that about concludes the questions I have... Do you have any final thoughts you would like to leave me with?

Bob: One should never have a final thought on anything. Thoughts, like good bacon sandwiches, should evolve and flow and follow their stream, meandering wither they float and whether they may, drifting like airships unto the yonder. That is my final thought on the matter.