The SL Enquirer sat down with one of the more famous musical artists in Second Life. Seth Regan aka "Mankind Tracer". He quickly became a fan favorite, Seth rose to be one of the top rock artists and maintains that status today, among the now hundreds of performers in SL. Many of the millions of global members have become familiar with Seth's music and brand. During his time performing in Second Life, Seth has been the recipient of the most prestigious awards including "Best Live Performer", "Best Singer-Songwriter", "Listener's Choice Award" and the "2011 Best of SL Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Second Life".
Orion Baral (OB): Seth, thank you for finally sitting down with us, it has been a long time coming. And to start off I would like to preemptively apologize for Lanai, she is in one of her irresponsible moods. With that being said, a lot of people don't know that you and I have known each other for over a decade in Second Life and in real life. We have a long history, but a good friendship has stayed true. I took a long break from Second Life and you finally talked me into coming to your comeback show on March 29th, 2020. There were over 300 people at that show for World Health Organization (WHO). That raised a lot of money and was sponsored by Linden Labs and Firestorm. Can you tell me what that means to you for one, the accolades from those two companies and the ability to perform in front of 300 people and doing it all for charity?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: It's great that we can keep our friendships going, starting in SL and moving to RL, either way, I'm thankful to have you both as my friends for so long. The Return Show in March was wonderful. I took a few years off and was truly floored by such an incredibly heartwarming "welcome home"! Linden Labs and Firestorm were both very generous in sponsoring the event. LL provided the 4 sims and FS matched all donations. After all, was said and done, we raised over $2500 USD in 90 minutes! As my first show back, it really was incredible to have 300 people attend. As always, I think about half of them crashed the stage, after I invited people up towards the end of the show as I often do but WOW... you all almost knocked me off the stage. Actually, now that I think about it YOU were there Orion.... I think YOU were the one who almost knocked me off!!!
Honestly, all I can say is that it's a very humbling experience, to receive such support, such kindness, and love, after being gone for a while. Really, it still warms my heart when I think about it.
Lanai: As much as I make fun of you behind your back. I think you are a cool dude.
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: Well thank you very much. What would the family be without a little sibling funnery!
OB: Ok you two, and BTW Seth I wasn't even that close to you and I didn’t even push you. A stern shove sure but not much. Anyway enough blame being thrown about let's get back to the interview. So, I will ask the normal questions like who inspired you to make music? This I ask every musician I interview because it is enlightening to see the responses and learning more about what makes them tick.
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: HA! It's ok... as I'm fond of saying, my "family" in SL gets a pass MOST of the time so she's safe for now! As for the music, I'd have to credit my mother for always singing around the house even when I was very small. There was always music around. I did end up taking some piano lessons at around 9 years old, but I found I was able to pick out tunes by ear, more than I had the patience for the "right" way to learn piano. Later on, in my early teens, I found that a new high school friend (after I had switched schools) was studying guitar. When I'd hang at his house he would show me a few things here and there and I just kinda picked it up, started playing by ear like I did on piano, and it just took off from there.
OB: Well as you can see she started in already. So what brought you into Second Life back in 2006? And how did you originally hear about Second Life?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: I originally found SL after seeing an ad mid-2006 on Yahoo. It was the second ad I saw that prompted me to check out this new thing called a "virtual world". Being in the design space (website design mostly back then) I was up on tech and found the whole notion of a virtual world intriguing. It was only after joining that I immediately put the pieces together and started planning how to perform my live shows in there, only to find I was not the only one to have thought about this very novel idea!
Lanai: Are you sure you didn’t read about it in The SL Enquirer?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: HA! Could be :-P
OB: So with you being in Second Life for such a long time, what would you change about the industry, pertaining to Second Life obviously, what would it be?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: Not a thing! SL has evolved as it has because of the many users globally. It's a community more than anything and the community itself is what I believe has caused its inevitable evolution. So all things considered, I wouldn't change a thing. SL has been amazing to me for over 14 years. I have a very large family, built over time and always growing. It is an incredibly supportive community full of love and more heart than I think people realize. I am friends with a lot of other musicians in SL who have secured a stable career in SL so I don't think they'd change a thing either. If there was one single thing, it would be allowing for more people to fit on one sim!
OB: The limitation of people on a sim can be a downfall I fully understand that. What was your impression of this or any virtual world now? We have noticed a decline in subscriptions here in Second Life, has that hindered your shows any?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: It's an interesting question. But I'll be perfectly honest, I gave up on gauging my shows or even my SL career as a whole by any sort of unit of measure. Some shows have a lot of people, some shows are more intimate. I just love being able to bring my music to so many people around the world. If one line of one of my songs reaches one person's heart, then it's a good day for me. I'm fond of saying, "I've reached more people globally through SL that I had through 20 years of touring"... I believe this still holds true. There are so many talented new artists that have entered SL since Covid started. Many RL venues have sadly been forced to close, so artists have had to find other means of expression and also other means of supporting themselves. There are also so many shows to go to now at any given time. It does affect attendance, especially for the newer artists but as the saying goes, the cream will always rise to the top. So I do believe the community will do as they always have and that is, they will go to the shows they feel the most connection to. I think there's plenty of room in SL for as many artists who want to try their hand at it, and many can be successful, if they have the chops, if they're good and if they understand the business side of the business they're in. Many don't, and that hurts more than being out of tune occasionally, but that doesn't mean they can't learn the business side of things. I am always happy to help as I can when artists reach out.
OB: Seth you got a toe in everything. From logo designs to your rock-inspired gear for men and women. Can you tell us more about what you do outside of music?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: I have been a professional graphic/web designer and marketer for many years. I've been fortunate enough to have done work for the likes of Paramount, Warner Bros., Disney, The US Army, CNBS. Burger King, Pizza Hut, NEC, W Hotels, Wired Magazine, Conde Naste, among others. I also like to help my fellow SL'ers. For example, I get pinged fairly often with requests for me to design a professional logo for venues or other SL businesses, to help build their brand identity. I'm always happy to help my fellow SL'ers as I can and of course, I do offer everything at a steep discount. I also have a lighting company, we design and manufacture a pretty large line of completely custom, handcrafted antique style lighting fixtures. We've done lighting for movies like The Last Samurai, Jesse James, Benjamin Buttons, The US Capital, USPS, hotels, Celebrity homes, etc. It's another creative outlet for me which I really enjoy. I do also enjoy making the SL clothing for R:O:K Store which Brandy and I worked on together. Although she's no longer with us, we have this as her legacy and a testament to her immense love for the SL community. After all, is said and done though, I wouldn't be "me" without my music. It is what defines me, it's what drives me. I am the happiest "me" when I'm in the throws of the emotion I get caught up in when playing/singing a tune.
Lanai: I'm diggin the gold chevron tie front crop top. Can I get a discount?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: NO!!!! 10 dollah for you!!!!
OB: That is great you gotten to work with many Fortune 500 and 100 companies. Has to feel good having your creative talents appreciated like that. So tell me, what are your favorite and least favorite venues? I know you used to play a venue back in 2006-2008 called TOM. Can you enlighten us about that venue owner and his inspiration to you and your music that made you who you are today?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: I have to say my favorite venue right now is the one I've poured my heart into the building, my own venue, The Sweet Sp*t, which will be officially launching Sunday, Jan 24th, 2PM SLT. As for The Temple of Mankind, well the venue owner was a douche, so I learned a lot about what NOT to be!
Lanai: Apparently the least is Club Lanai cause he hasn't done a charity show there yet...
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: Hmmmmm
Lanai: This wouldn't be the SL Enquirer if I didn't ask this irresponsible question. What do you say to all the haters out there that have a problem with you being such a badass in the SL Music scene?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: LOL! All I can say is that everyone is entitled to their opinion, provided it is an educated one. Hating for the sake of fitting in helps no one. You may think you know someone, but then you get to know who they are, as a person, as an individual, beyond what the "public" opinion is and all that changes. Take me for example... I'm truly an evil evil person and I deserve no remorse. So if you see me, get those rotten eggs ready!
OB: Well that was a bit rude about the venue owner of TOM... sigh, but is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Seth Regan / Mankind Tracer: Well I have this slice of pie I was gonna share with everyone... but I ate it all. Sorry :-( Seriously though, I would like to simply share that when you go to a show, well I can only speak for myself here, so when you come to my own shows, as much as I appreciate the tips, please make sure to tip the venues first. They are the ones paying for EVERYTHING! Please keep that in mind when you go to live music or any other events put on by an SL venue or business.
There you have it, folks, I hope you had a bit of fun as Lanai and I have interviewed Seth. Truth be told, Seth and I have known each other for over 14 years in Second Life and in real life. He truly is a very talented person and it is an honor to say he is my friend. So take the time and go listen to some of his covers and also a lot of his original songs and take the time to get to know the man. You will have a good time, I guarantee it!
Ciao,
Orion
Additional Information
Be sure to join thousands of other SL family members on the "Friends of Mankind" group in Second Life. For bookings & business matters, performances, design & marketing requests, send a notecard in worlds or email info@sethregan.com
Website: http://www.sethregan.com
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