((To view the entire True Life episode, click here!))Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?Keiko: My rez-day is 12/13/2005. A friend showed me the link to the Second Life website and raved about it. Humble beginnings, indeed!
Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...Keiko: I am a live musician and part-time barista at Keiko's Cafe. Mostly a live musician.
Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Keiko: Ladies an gentlemen, take a seat and gather 'round for...
THE TALE OF KEIKO TAKAMURA
Keiko began as every other female resident avatar of Second Life starts out -- thin, with whoreish makeup and a lilac-colored top with L$200 to her name. Eventually, she got a makeover. After that mission was accomplished, she stumbled upon Multiverse Records where she saw a hefty, chainsmoking avatar named Derek Tones playing his guitar. She and the fat man became friends, and he showed her the ancient art of audio streaming.
She started playing regular shows, building up an in-world fanbase, and is currently immensely enjoying the positive reaction she gets from her crowds.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the screen was Amy Te, a native Californian who had a guitar in her hand and a song in her notebook for seven years. All she lacked was an audience. Now, with the support of her friends and family and other SL musicians, she plans on bringing her music to her real life (or "RL" as we refer to it in-game).
Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Keiko: If you want to be a live musician in SL, take advantages of the resources that are available now, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. There's got to be a passion for music.
If you want to be a live musician in RL, then *I* need advice as much as you do!
Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Keiko: This isn't a business. Music is LOVE. <3 style="font-weight: bold;">Chloe:
Tell us your favorite... * *
clothing designer/shop: *
Keiko: Amerie's Naughty and BP*
* *
hangout spot: *
Keiko: I'm usually hanging around at
Keiko's Cafe.
* *
place for skins: *
Keiko: ROSEMAR and Gigi Couture
* *
toy or gadget: *
Keiko: Kabuki Ewing makes these awesome animated freebies, like an animated broom or a tray of food that makes you trip and spill everything.
* *
coolest/prettiest sim: *
Keiko: Straylight... and I have to send a shout-out to Hathian. (Columtreal College REPRESENT! WUT WUT!)
* *
place for hair: *
Keiko: Gritty Kitty
* *
AO: *
Keiko: Happy Dispatch
* *
any other favorites you want to tell us about: *
Keiko: Insert Coin Arcade! They have all sorts of playable arcade games, and you can win tickets to redeem for prizes like... a SPIDER RING!
Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different?
Keiko: I've always tried to make my AV as much like the RL me as possible. Down to the glasses and rice-belly. The only thing I'm jealous about with my AV is that her hair never gets messed up and she never, ever sweats.
Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Keiko: I married the guy I met in SL. How's that for significant? I had MTV call him my "boyfriend" on the True Life episode, but that's because we eloped and I didn't want my extended family getting confused. My mom knows, though, and has given us her blessing.
Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Keiko: There was this one chick who wanted to steal my man... she was pretty looney. I ended up writing a song about it, so at least the whole ordeal was fodder for my creativity.
Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Keiko: I rent a house with my BFFles, Meesha and Unhe. We call it the Cougar Den, because we're always on the prowl.
Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on?
Keiko: Flotsam Beach, where it's ALL at!
Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Keiko: It's a Barnesworth Anubis prefab. Pretty swank. Three bedrooms upstairs, so we each get our own room.
Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Keiko:- The Princess Bride
- Galaxy Quest
- Edward Scissorhands (or possibly The Little Mermaid).
Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Keiko:- Yeah Yeah Yeahs - The Sweets
- K'Naan - In The Beginning (Harold & Kumar Soundtrack)
- Marakesh - Zhdat (from the GTA4 soundtrack)
Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Keiko: I was desperate one night to have a White Russian, but I was out of milk, so - and I am not proud of this - I mixed the Kaluha with Coffee-Mate and soy milk. And then I went back to my computer and told my friends, who were rightfully disgusted with me.
Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Keiko: Two noob lesbians who were most likely both men trying to figure out their sex poseballs.
Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Keiko: "hi c2c sexy chat plz"
Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that?
Keiko: I only mute a person if they're obviously a griefer/spammer or if they've horribly offended me in some way. Most times, I forget who I've muted and take them off my muted list.
Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tell us the URL here!
Keiko: I'm in San Francisco, so if you're in the Bay Area, make sure to friend me and let me know, so I can keep you up to date on the RL shows!
Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Keiko: Don't ever agree to do a reality show, for serious. It's a pain in the ass.
