inV Daily Exclusive Interview with Jax Streeter

Last Saturday, I mentioned and promoted an alternative night of entertainment here at the Daily in the form of an event with a complete lineup of virtual recording artists and singers as opposed to having any DJ’s. Headlining the card and leading the way for virtual recording artists on the Internet is Second Life superstar, Jax Streeter! Yes he’s stunningly sexy and has the vocals to match. I stopped by at the event on Saturday to check out Jax Streeter in action and what a massive crowd he managed to attract.

I was however, notably impressed by the diverse range of music that he exhibits during his live events. This ain’t your nonchalant one genre of music wonder rock star. Oh no! Jax Streeter exhibits elements of rock, pop and completely originally created lyrics. I managed to sit down with Jax to discuss his music, his admirers and he also reveals in an inV Daily scoop that the movie he wrote a screenplay for last year is now currently in production and he will be a star of the movie in his first RL on screen acting role. Read on and welcome to the world of Jax Streeter exclusively on the inV Daily.

Jax Streeter Up Close in Concert

inV: Hi Jax. Thanks for sitting down with me. On your website at www.jaxstreeter.com – you are described as the World’s first virtual recording artist with your stage being the world wide web. What made you decide to focus on doing your gigs in the virtual world and online as opposed to say your local or at a bar or club?

Jax Streeter: I spent some time in the 90's as a dance/club record producer and enjoyed working behind the scenes very much. Studio work is a passion for me. So when I discovered that artists were performing live on the internet it made perfect sense to me that a new artists could build a career strictly over the internet quickly and efficiently to an audience around the world right from a studio. Performing live over the internet is exciting in its own right. It is in essence a live podcast much like a radio program. There is not only an audience listening in real time but with the magic of Second Life, audiences and artists interact visually at the same time. It is very unique. The result for me has been thousands of fans in 28 countries.

inV: Do you get a bigger thrill knowing that so many around the world from such a vast array of countries are listening to you and your gigs?

Jax Streeter: Learning that I was building a fan base from around the world was more than I expected. I not only get input from my shows but I can track the countries from which people are visiting from when they go to my website. So yes, it is truly motivating me to continue to build my music and now film career now knowing the audience is global.

InV: What would you say best describes the genre of music that you primarily play at your gigs?

Jax Streeter: I try my hardest not to write and produce any one particular genre. After work for record labels in the past, the biggest thrill in writing music as in independent is creating a variety of music. So it is unheard of for most artists to put out an album with rock, dance, pop and even jazz on one cd like I have with my Dos Vidas Album. In fact I decided to create my own genre. Rock and Groove : ) I guess you can basically call my music Pop.

inV: Do you have a particular favourite genre of music that you personally like best?

Jax Streeter: Personally all music with an up temp and catchy melodies grab me. My collection of music is eclectic. From baroque to bluegrass, to jazz to metal, pop to techno. I am a big fan of rock bands with good beats and and melodies like Incubus, Linkin Park, 3 days grace.

Huge Crowd on hand to watch Jax Streeter in Concert

inV: I’ve heard other publications and people label you as Second Life’s newest superstar and that you have created the footprint that other artists now want to follow. How does all that media buzz about you make you feel?

Jax Streeter: I have truly enjoyed thinking of ways to make as enjoyable an experience as possible for audiences both on and off the virtual stage. There are so many fantastic artists using the internet for their exposure I feel we are all pioneers. Anything I can do to draw attention to it I am happy to do. When I hear stories or when new artists personally tell me they appreciate what I'm doing, that makes me feel great and motivates me to do more. I am a big fan too and people always catch me sneaking into live shows : )

inV: How long have you been performing as a virtual recording artist online?

Jax Streeter: My first live show was in September of 2007. I really didnt get the concept I wanted ironed out and a good show set built til December of 2007. From then on it has exploded.

InV: Are there any artists, bands or groups that have had an influence on your life?

Jax Streeter: I consider myself a renaissance man. So I appreciate artists that can create a variety of projects and succeed like Mark Walburg. From pop rap in the 90's to acting now producing the hit show Entourage proves that if you create a good product, you can succeed at multiple types of mediums. I wrote my first screenplay in 2008 called Real Men Of Genius. You can download the screenplay from my websites. Jaxstreeter.com and Streeternation.com I am in production now. The movie is being shot in High Definition and will be my first real life acting role. I plan to score the movie using compositions I've written along with music from Second Life Artists and hope to premier the film in Second Life in the Summer of 2009.

inV: You’re a very attractive guy and I’m sure you have many admirers of both gender; male and female. How do you handle the adulation from them and have you ever received any embarrassing gifts from your fans?

Jax Streeter: LOL interesting question. Let's just say people have a great time especially during a live show and can get quite creative on expressing their excitment. Second Life offers the opportunity to throw all sorts of things at me but most of all it allows people to send me pictures that would make anyone say "oh my, nice to meet you too". LOL

Jax Streeter pumping up the crowd in concert

inV: (laughs) Where would you like to see yourself progress to in 2009 and what would you like to have achieved by year’s end?

Jax Streeter: My goal in 2009 is to take the next step as an internet performer by performing in other virtual worlds. Jax Streeter is my official and trademarked stage name and it is registered in every virtual world currently online. I am in talks with three major virtual worlds right now. One is even enhancing their platform to accommodate live music. I hope to officially announce that by spring. I would also like to release the movie at the same.

inV: How frequently do you perform and are you still taking on gigs and do you have any personal preferences as to the types of events that you like to perform at?

Jax Streeter: RL commitments, recording my new album Virtual and filming the movie limit my performances. I tend to do full concerts for large well promoted events like fund raisers, festivals or corporate events. I am in the process of launching a new Second Life tour promoting both my projects and a new photo contest. The tour will be a Jax Streeter Universtity Tour of virtual college campuses in Second Life beginning with Penn State University on Jan, 29th 7pm slt. We have several colleges lined up and will announce the schedule soon. People can check it out on my sites or contact Sadie Pippita at Sand Castle studios.

inV: What advice would you offer to any other budding or aspiring virtual recording artist who are still trying to climb the ladder and would like to follow in your footsteps?

Jax Streeter: My biggest advice and encouragement is to stick with originals. If they decide to do cover songs, remake them into your own version to showcase your creativity. Audiences do appreciate hearing brand new music and knowing they are hearing it in a new and unique way. I also advise them to put the effort into their shows as entertainers and interact with their audience and find creative ways to use the tools on hand.

inV: Do you write all your own lyrics?

Jax Streeter: Yes, all the lyrics are written by me and the music and all the music in my productions are arranged and created by me.

inV: Can any of your music be bought anywhere online?

Jax Streeter: My websites all have individual tracks as well as the complete album for sale. There are also free songs for downloading as well. I am pushing close to 50,000 downloads since spring of 2008.

Jax trax can be found at jaxstreeter.com

inV: Do you believe that there is a bright future for virtual recording artists online and are we likely to see an influx of new artists similar to yourself who will opt to go the virtual route?

Jax Streeter: I do believe there is bright future and I have spoken to major label executives personally that are trying to figure out how to position themselves. To reach an audience around the world in real time is powerful. There has been a great deal of new artists performing online but I don't believe we will see artist sticking with the "virtual only " route because as the internet performing platform becomes more widely known, the novelty may continue to decrease in appeal. For me Jax Streeter is not only the first Virtual Recording Artist but will be the First Virtual Artist to cross over into Real Life.

inV: Jax Streeter, thank you so much and the very best of luck to you in 2009.