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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

ANGELS ON EARTH: SELENE SKYFALL, SL ENQUIRER OPEN MIC WINNER FOR JANUARY 2025: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING


In keeping with our reputation as a showcase for some of SLs Finest Vocal Talents, SL Enquirer continues to sponsor a monthly Open Mic Competition for Singers and Songwriters.  Many of our winners play both in SL and in a variety of RL Venues.  While the competition here has always been especially keen, this month’s winner is Selene Skyfall.  Pleasant memories of her lovely voice will stay with you, long after the concert has ended, the lights have been turned out, and the guests and performers have all gone. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Selene a few days after her win, and asked her a few questions about her experiences as a performer and her passion for music.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):     So Selene,  Congratulations on your win.  It was well deserved.   Thanks you for agreeing to chat with me.  To begin with, how long have you been performing your music, and at what sorts of venues?

Selene Skyfall (SS):     I've been performing in Second Life over the last year and a half, although I used to perform years ago under the name Willow Hillburton, but didn't get too active before my computer at the time died out. But now, I've done shows at Amusement Parks, Clubs, of the spicy and non-spicy nature, Motorcycle sims, Seasonal festivals, Charity events, Acoustic joints, and more!

JB:     Who were your music idols, and those who most influenced your musical style?

SS:     Elvis was a big influence in my love for music as I grew up watching him with my dad. It's hard to pick only a few influences because my love for music spans across multiple genres and decades. Ones that come to mind, but may not if you asked me in a month, are Julie London, Monica, Adele, Kings of Leon, and Muse. A bit of an eclectic group and I'll kick myself tomorrow when I think of others.

JB:     What was the inspiration for the song you sang at the contest, and why did you choose that particular song?

SS:     For my original song I sang one that I wrote about 3 weeks ago called "Bittersweet". It's about knowing you shouldn't be with someone and ultimately deciding not to be, but mourning the loss of the ideas you had about what your life would be like. I chose to sing it because I felt that it was something that people can relate to and the feelings I had while writing it were still fresh on my mind. Sometimes that raw emotion makes for the best performance.

JB:     How would you describe the brand that you now represent? To really stand out in the SL Music scene, you have to have something special about your performances. How do you define your music style? 

SS:     That's a hard one to describe to be honest. I like so many genres and write all kinds of music. Currently, the genres I cover include, but aren't limited to: Alt. Rock, Blues, Country, Folk, Indie Rock, Jazz, Pop, Rock, & R&B. It allows me to be super flexible to the type of show a venue or I want to put on. In February I'm doing an all Jazz set. I've done sets that were more on the seductive side, 90s (I love the 90s) focused sets, all acoustic sets, etc.  Maybe my brand is that I'm flexible? Oo la la!

JB:     What are your landmark performances?  Best Memories performing both in RL and in SL?

SS:     In real life, I've done some contests, sang in front of a few hundred people for some of them, did the American Idol and Voice thing a few times, but nothing stands out to me as much as playing Sister Hubert in the comedy musical "Nunsense" in High School and singing this boisterous solo "Holier Than Though". I received a standing ovation from my peers and then again from their parents and friends at the public showing and it really gave me the confidence boost I needed to start focusing more on singing and writing.

In Second Life, it's a tie between performing at Pixel Live's Autumn Fest as a fill in. It came out of nowhere and the vibe was just great and I remember really feeling like, "Wow, that was awesome, I feel excited about that performance." And then the first set I did at Boogeyman's really stands out to me. Grace Loudon had more faith in me than I did. About a month before my set, she basically said, "Hey, I like your voice, do you play instruments?" At that time I hadn't played in 2 years, I was only using tracks for sets. She told me I had a month to prepare. Haha. She really motivated me and I play a lot of guitar and Ukulele now at my sets thanks to Grace!

JB:     How did you take the news when they first announced your name as the winner?

SS:     I was super jazzed! I've heard so many great singers in Second Life and I was honored that I was chosen that day. I encourage others to check out the coming months' contests. Kaysie, Ninja, and Wolfie are so kind and encouraging and we all had such a fun time!

JB:     What does it take to be a successful musician these days?

SS:     *Points to myself, then looks behind me to see if you're talking to someone else* "Who? Me?"

In all seriousness, I don't know how one should measure success and I try not to dwell on it. I just like singing and playing music. That's why I do it. Maybe that's what it takes. Not losing the joy you have for it.

JB:     What advice could you give to someone who wants to be a songwriter?

SS:     You're going to write songs that in the moment feel like the greatest thing you've ever written and then you'll play them one day and feel like it's not very good or like it's "generic". Sometimes that happens. other times you'll have a song that you are proud of and each time you sing it you feel like you're breathing new life into it. I think the most important part about songwriting is just to do it. You won't always feel like you're even writing something worthwhile, but you're writing. You're keeping that practice. It helps you learn so much. Sometimes I keep with writing something terrible just to know what I *don't* like.

JB:     Do you have any social media sites that folks can visit to see more of you and your work?

SS:     Yes, I have a few:

JB:     Do you post your performance schedule for anyone who wants to catch one or more of your gigs?

SS:     Yes, besides posting my shows in my Discord and the other links above, I have a google Calendar that displays them:

·         https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=7fa688572214fd199de6952918617252be3c23158b9371232697fec9d9a02dbb%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FNew_York

For any bookings, please reach out to BĄĐ  SƐƬȠƐŔ (badone).

JB:     Is there anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?

SS:     I am a fiend for new music and take requests. So. if you ever have a song that isn't on my list and you'd like to hear it at a future show, please let me know. Or even if you just have an artist you think I'd like. I'm a sucker for perving profiles for music links. Haha I want *ALL* the music!

Currently, these are the songs I have prepared, but I'm always updating:

·         https://www.streamersonglist.com/t/seleneskyfall/songs

So, there you have it Folks.  Direct from the source.  Let me encourage each of you next time this lovely lady performs…Take a break from your shopping….Take a break from your building…Take a break from entertaining your Shoogah Boogah …or whatever other reason you reside here and come see Selene Skyfall, Live and in Concert.   You can even bring your Shoogah Boogah with you.  They will thank you for it.  And when you do, tell ‘em Josh sent ya.

You’ll be glad ya did.

Be there!  Aloha!!

JB

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