Hi there everyone.  Sometimes I have wondered about this writing gig in Second Life, especially when I have multiple deadlines all looming at once, then an interview such as the one that follows comes along and I remember why I do it!!  Second Life at its very best giving someone the opportunity to be who they trully want to be.

If ever the quote “if music be the food of love, play on” from William Shakespeare rings true, it is when listening to this talented singer, with a voice and an energy that will undoubtedly make you feel the love…  Well I mean how it could not, he is Puerto Rican and the Latino lover in him is very obvious.

I met up with Kaleb and his girlfriend at their home for a chat, and this awesome singer gave me my very own private show!!!  To say I was blown away by his singing and his energy and passion for singing would be an understatement and so without any further ado, let me introduce to you Kaleb Avedon.

Kaleb what brought you to SL?

LOVE LOL... I was trying to salvage a 4 year relationship, but it didn't work out, but I think I got a lot more out of it than a break up. *smiles*  I got to know myself more and find things within myself that I never knew existed, good things.  Things that have helped me grow as an individual and as a person.

What have you been doing in the time you have been here?

I have been on SL for 3 years now, and I was just in here to meet people and be Kaleb.  I always fantasized of singing in RL so when I saw and heard my first live performer in here I went crazy and wanted to do it too.  But it wasn't till this last summer that I finally found the courage to do it.  I have been singing in SL for 6 months now and I love it!  It feels like I have accomplished something I have always wanted to do and I was always meant to do.  In a very weird but good way I feel complete.”

Kaleb is now resident on our stunning estate. What are your impressions of the Costa Rica Sims and our community?

“Costa Rica Sims have always had a very special place in my heart.  I have been in an SL relationship now for two years and Costa Rica was the place where we had our first Valentine's Day, which was shortly after meeting her.  By then Costa Rica had the resort and we stayed there a week. It was the most amazing Valentine's Day either of us had had in RL or SL.  So this place holds one of my most precious memories. I have never seen anything like Costa Rica in SL.  Its waters, its flora, its settings are by far the best I have seen.  There is so much attention to detail in everything created here, which only shows that this place has been made with a lot of love and dedication.

Where do you perform in SL?

I perform at this great and friendly club called The Kicking Club every Friday night at 8 pm SLT. I also play at the one and only Frank's Elite Jazz Club on Saturday's at 8pm SLT. I have been also recently contracted by The Greek Gold Lesbian Resort to play every last Sunday of each month from 2pm-4pm. These places are very special to me because they believed in me.  They were the ones to give me my first shot and they always treat me like family when I go there and now Giancarlo has given me the opportunity to perform here regularly too.

What is your musical background?

Well, I have a minor in Music (voice) from the University of Puerto Rico.  And the reason for that is because music has always been a big part of my life.  It's funny because I am not a big concert goer kind of a person.  I hardly hear others sing, but I like singing and I like writing songs.  It has helped me heal in so many instances of my life.  I like doing music, being involved in it, not lay back and listen to it. There are very few that I stop and listen to.

I have always liked singing, ever since I was kid. LOL In the classroom I was the one who lead the songs, then as I got older my parents had me take music classes, first piano, then saxophone and then finally guitar!  I loved the guitar because I could play and sing along and it was not so complicated like the other two.  Then I discovered I could write songs!  I have been writing songs since I was 14 years old.  It is the greatest gift God gave me because it cleanses me so much.

Who are your musical influences?

As a singer/songwriter I respect and love Jewel Kilcher.  No one can deliver a message of truth to humanity like Jewel.  She has the power to shock you with her words and to sooth your soul.  Not to mention the fact that she has an amazingly versatile voice.  She can change the way she is singing to adjust to the mood of the song.  It is penetrating and impressive.

As I singer I have never had anyone touch my soul like the Puerto Rican singer Ednita Nazario. The first time I heard that woman sing in concert I felt her voice literally touched my spirit. She moved me and brought tears to my eyes and I said to myself, "I want to do that!" Well, I am not saying that I do LOL, but I try to put all of me in every song that I sing.  She takes her singing seriously, and I want to do that to. That is the only way to sing because that is how you communicate and touch your audience, and so many people need that today.  They need that connection and that experience of closeness. Like I said, I am not saying I do that like her, but I try.

When I was growing up the voice that got you to places and got you to win in contests were the soprano voices. I am not a soprano.  My voice is low and has a vibrato in it that in those days was unusual until Shakira Melbarak came along and broke every scheme LOL. Then my voice was "appreciated" if you could say that LOL. Not to mention the fact that she is an amazing song writer.  My favourite is her earlier work.  That had heart in it! It was poetry!

You can catch Kaleb Avedon at our monthly Welcome Home Party at La Cantina this Saturday 7th January @ 3pm SLT.  Put on your sexy beachwear and come and meet ‘n greet new members of our community.

The next opportunity to hear the love and passion that resonates from Kaleb will be at the “Latin Romance” event which will be held on the third Saturday afternoon @ 12pm SLT of every month.

Till the next time, live, laugh, love with the Costa Rica Sims!

Lacy Muircastle

Estate Blogger