I’ll be playing Balkan music tonight for my World Wednesdays show on Radio Riel. Come on over to Wyre or listen at http://music2.radioriel.org.
Introducing World Wednesdays
I’m happy (and somewhat daunted) to announce that the premiere episode of World Wednesdays, a new weekly one-hour show on Radio Riel, will be tomorrow, January 7, 2009, at 6 pm SLT in Wyre. The show will be broadcast on http://music2.radioriel.org. Please join us or listen as you are able. A program schedule will be publicized on the Radio Riel calendar.
For this first show, I will be playing a variety of Klezmer and Klezmer-inspired musicians.
Old-timey party for Eugenia Burton
It is my great pleasure and privilege to have been asked to DJ for a party in honor of Miss Eugenia Burton’s rez day. I’m assembling some great old bluegrass and country-western music, and you can expect some big band and modern interpretations as well. We’ll be dancing today, January 3, from 4 to 7 pm SLT at The Justice League Adventurers’ Club (SLurl). Please join us, but if you can’t make it, you can listen at http://music2.radioriel.org.
CaleCon interview
There’s a new Voices in the Machine episode up, recorded at CaleCon last summer. Soliel Snook and I are interviewed by Gabrielle Riel.
Bashful Peacock
I was privileged this evening to present music at the Bashful Peacock for Mr Rudolfo Woodget’s Palm Court Tea Dance series. This was my first time presenting for this event, and I had a wonderful time. I took as my goal to create a coherent playlist using only gay, lesbian, and bisexual performers. (I included groups when one or more members met the criteria.) Outmusic.com was invaluable in identifying some performers to round out musical styles.
The first section of the evening was traditional folk music. I leaned heavily upon Ashley MacIsaac, a Cape Breton fiddler, and The Klezmatics, from their Woody Guthrie album Wonder Wheel. The middle section was Bessie Smith, Noel Coward, and Cole Porter. I finished off with a set of contemporary music anchored by k.d. lang.
All in all, a wonderful event with congenial company. I look forward to my next engagement at Mr Woodget’s establishment.
Voices in the Machine
Check out the debut episode of Radio Riel’s new podcast, Voices in the Machine. As co-producer with Gabrielle Riel, I’m very excited about this new effort. Our format for the bi-weekly shows will include a guest interview, cast discussion of news and events of interest to Steampunks and neo-Victorians in virtual worlds, and viewer opinions.
The regular cast is Gabrielle Riel, Edward Pearse, Fuschia Begonia, and Nix Sands. In this first episode, they each spend a few minutes introducing themselves.Our first guest is her Lyonesse, Kamilah Hauptmann, Vicereine of the Independent State of Caledon, and the hot topic is open space sims.
You can listen to this episode or download a variety of formats at archive.org.
We welcome feedback and listener opinion pieces. Send us an email at podcast@radioriel.org, and we will arrange to record you reading your contribution, or a staff member can read it for you.
Steampunk Exploration, take 2
My Steampunk Exploration playlist last week for Radio Riel was over 24 hours long, so no one heard it all. And we still haven’t answered the question, “What exactly is Steampunk music?”
Performer self-identification? Minor key and moody vocals? Retro-futurism? Appropriation of historic styles? Subject matter? Fan appreciation? DJ whim? Unusual instrumentation? Eccentricity? Goth musicians looking for a niche? Do-it-yourselfism? All of the above? Other?
Perhaps it isn’t possible to say what exactly Steampunk music is. Today’s playlist has been changed slightly from last week, notably by the addition of Corvus Corax.
Have a listen today and create your own definition—and feel free to leave comments below or at the Radio Riel post with your opinions.
From the Library is produced by Radio Riel in conjunction with the Caledon Library in Second Life.
For more information on the Caledon Library, current exhibits and the work of Second Life reference libraries in general, please visit the Caledon Library Web site, or one of their locations in-world.
You can listen now at http://music.radioriel.org – the ideal URL for you to use in your home parcel media address in-world – or simply visit any Caledon Library branch in-world and press Play on your embedded music player.
Bluegrass at the Big Brass Ball
Please join me on Tuesday, 21 October, 7:30-9:30pm SLT, at the Big Brass Ball in Caledon Steam Sky City, Aft Commons. I’ll be playing both early and contemporary bluegrass on http://music2.radioriel.org.
Steampunk DJ set
Tonight I’ll be playing my most Steampunk DJ set for Radio Riel yet, in celebration of the first anniversary of the Europa Wulfenbach consulate in Steelhead. Castle Wulfenbach is making an appearance for the anniversary events this weekend. Come on down to Steelhead Boomtown from 7-9pm SLT or listen at http://music2.radioriel.org.
Radio Riel today
Today’s From the Library is drawn from the musical traditions of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Scotland.
The fiddle is the most common instrument used, but there are two regional variations you will hear: the nyckelharpa, a keyed fiddle from Sweden (left, photo by Olov Johansson); and the hardingfele, or Hardanger fiddle from Norway. Both the nyckelharpa and hardingfele have sympathetic strings, adding almost a drone to the music. The accordion, säckpipa or Swedish bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, and jaw harp make occasional appearances.
These instruments (and the composers of traditional tunes) have been placed at the service of dancers: vals, polska, hambo, schottis, polskamazurka, and marches. Whether 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4, the dominant style of scandinavian couple dances is smooth rotation. Dips, turns, and even walking are done with a lilting, controlled pulse. Sometimes known as “turning dances,” these dances often alternate a traveling portion done in an open or varsouvienne position and a turning portion done in a ballroom or barrel hold.
Radio Riel produces “From the Library” in conjunction with the Caledon Library in Second Life. Today’s music originates from the music library of Otenth Paderborn.
For more information on the Caledon Library, current exhibits and the work of Second Life reference libraries in general, please visit the Caledon Library Web site, or one of their locations in-world.
You can listen to the program at http://music.radioriel.org, or simply visit any Caledon Library branch in-world and press Play on your embedded music player.