ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

In this month’s “Artist Highlight,” Anne Daumig shines the spotlight on Amberle with her article “Finding A Musical Center.”

We have all entered the virtual world of Second Life for one reason or another. Some out of curiosity. Some to create. Some just to have fun. And then we leave, for one reason or another. Real life is too hectic. We get bored and move on to a new hobby or pastime. Or maybe a bad experience drove us away.

It is our good fortune that friends of AmberleJanniah Resident did not allow her to stay away for long. While talking on Paltalk, a video chat app, Amberle was encouraged to return to Second Life to perform her music.

Understandably, Amberle was a bit tentative, but overcame her qualms and returned to the virtual world once again. A humble beginning at a venue called Lyrics, with a few songs over an open microphone, was the start of a new inworld path for Amberle.

When Mace Paul asked if a friend could hear her perform a song, Amberle happily accommodated the request. Brindimere Laroway arrived and, as Amberle explained, “the rest was history.”

Now, with the help of Amaya Mavinelli, Rhia Janick and Luis Lockjaw, who Amberle touts as “a team that makes sure I am able to perform and also take care of myself in the process,” her return to Second Life and performing has been an exciting and phenomenal success.

“I appreciated different genres of music early on,” Amberle explains, “with my family’s deep ties to structured church music, to my mom’s pop/power ballad techniques and my dad’s more playful rock/jazz approach to performances.” Only an exceptionally talented artist can use her life’s experiences and influences to create a unique and haunting sound all her own.

However, the acoustic sets tend to be Amberle’s favorites. “I relate well to singing raw, stripped down versions of songs that probably change meaning depending on who is listening.”

As with all things in life, performing has its challenges and troubles, but music has always been a part of Amberle’s life. “Music is something that I will pursue, because it is one of the few things in life that makes sense to me and it makes me happy.”

Add to that, a love of ice cream and an infamous ‘Capo Thief’ puppy named Colby, are what Julie Andrews refers to as just a few of Amberle’s favorite things. Like many artists, Amberle found another outlet for her creative writing skills through Second Life roleplay. Character histories, planned storylines and impromptu roleplay help stretch the imagination and are, well, just plain fun!

Along with mainstream songs from a variety of musical genres like pop, top 40 and inspirational, just to name a few, Amberle is also a talented writer of original pieces. Similar to all dedicated artists, much of her self and experiences is poured into her music. When a performer opens their heart and soul for the world to see, either through writing or performing, it is an emotional experience. And that experience is felt by the audience.

Amberle related a recent experience where she performed ‘Hope Ur Ok’ by Olivia Rodrigo, specifically for an event. Once the song finish, the audience was stunned into silence. “What made it so meaningful were the gratitude filled messages that I received for learning and performing that song, of how a few minutes made an impact in their lives. It honestly made me cry.”

Music can provoke powerful feelings and memories in all of us. When Amberle’s fans request a specific song, especially if it’s a dedication, she invites the audience to share the emotions the music summons. In those special moments, time can stand still.

While the world struggled with a global health crisis, Second Life provided Amberle a stage to perform on when our homes were the borders of a new, restricted world. Nothing can “take away from the euphoria of performing in a LIVE venue,” as Amberle commented. Second Life offers her a larger audience, in all time zones and countries, far more than a local venue could provide.

Not only has Amberle shared with us fortunate enough to hear her sing, but she also offered sage advice to those looking to start a career in Second Life music. “I’ve learned a lot of things through the course of performing in SL, but the main realization I’d like to share as advice would be to do YOU. Perform songs and genres that make you happy, and persevere, because that love and passion that you feel while you’re on stream? It shines through, and apart from the music, I believe that’s what hooks people into listening to a performer.”

Words that not only apply to the Second Life music business, but life as a whole. Find your passion. Find what makes you whole. When you discover that, you will have discovered your center. For AmberleJanniah Resident, that center is her music. And one she generously shares with the Second Life community.

If Amberle had not returned to Second Life, we would be deprived of a truly amazing entertainer. A voice and an experience you do not want to miss.