The Zorch Nation hits 300 Citizens

I was checking my mail and received this screen cap from Nyx. Thought I would share the moment. You can click on it to make it bigger.

A good weekend for growth

There is a part of me that expects to plateau shortly. How long can an endeavor maintain growth? Especially one whose singular resource is the hard work of the people involved?

Well I’m please to announce January continues the trend towards growth.

Group membership in The Zorch Nation hit 285 yesterday, and that is an improvement over 250. We even managed to add ten new members in one show, also an improvement over the last single show record.

Downloads show 1.48 gigs worth of MP3 files have found their way to a new home in January. This is a vast improvement over the 638 megs downloaded in December.

As of the morning of January 26th, we show 139 unique visitors to the web site. That is one more then the very high 138 unique visitors we had in December, and there are still a few days left in the month.

Now, as to the matter of unique visitors, I feel I should point out this number does not reflect the total traffic to the page. It simply refers to IP addresses that have never logged on to the site since we’ve been keeping stats.

Amount of time spent view the site is up as well. The stats indicate 16 visitors spending between 30 minuets to one hour viewing the site. I would imagine this reflects people checking out the music section.

84 visitors out of 139 added the site to their favorites list (60.4%).

While we did have a new collection release this month, every collection in the catalog has been downloaded at least three times in January. Considering we do have a “Hit list” collection this would indicate to me I’ve got a pretty strong catalog.

Just about any indicator I look at present’s data reflecting growth. Of course there are plans in the works to keep things moving forward, but it’s good to know the current plan is bearing fruit.

Howard Roark and me

When people ask me what my favorite book is I say, “1984 by George Orwell”. When they ask what my favorite movie is, I say “The Fountainhead with Gary Cooper”. I feel I should point out, if there were no “1984”, “The Fountainhead” would be my favorite book hands down.

More poignant still, my favorite fictional character is without a doubt Howard Roark.

Howard is the protagonist of the book, an architect, and a genius of modern design.

The antagonist is a architecture critic at a newspaper who sees Howard’s designs and realizes Howard is a freaking genius… however, to this critic, this is a very bad thing indeed. You see, the critic gets his Jollies making sure every building is a shrine to mediocrity. The critic sees it as his duty to make sure Howard is destroyed because if unchecked, people might come to the realization that everything doesn’t have to suck.

Machiavellian schemes are hatched and put into motion. Howard’s integrity is tested over and over. Howard refuses to compromise.

I recommend the book, and even the movie at this point. Yes it’s fair to call the story both massively melodramatic, and pure objectivist propaganda, and while not put in a fantastic setting (no elves or fairies), it does push the limits of your willing suspension of disbelief. But even still, the story is compelling and to me quite inspirational.

At one point in the movie (this is one part the movie seems to work better at conveying), Howard is looking at a building project going up he wanted to design very badly, but didn’t get. The critic decides this would be a great time to unveil himself, make his evil machinations clear to Howard and crush his sprits forever.

The critic gets Howard’s attention and tells him all the things he’s done to actively destroy him. The critic makes it clear he recognizes Howard’s genius, but then drones on about how every building should be a shire to mediocrity. After a few dozen Mwha ha ha’s, the critic ends with the question, “So… what do you think of me Mr. Roark”?

Howard answers, “I don’t think of you” and walks off.

I gotta tell you seeing that scene really gave me goose bumps. It was almost like “Pardon me I wasn’t really listening to all that shit you said, but I really have to go now”.

Howard in the end wins. He prevails, and he never wavers, never compromises. He stoically remains true to his vision, and even goes to elaborate lengths to make sure no one imposes their ideas on his own designs.

Gary Cooper played many characters in his career. His least popular character was Howard Roark. Howard was viewed as an arrogant egomaniac, not a team player and frankly selfish. I however see the character differently. I see him as a man of integrity, and an artist of uncompromising vision.

Some view me as an arrogant egomaniac, not a team player and frankly a bit selfish. I view myself more of a man of integrity, and an artist of uncompromising vision.

See the trouble reading causes?

As to my critics, what do I think of you? I don’t think of you.

Observations

I spend a lot of my time just trying to figure things out in Second Life. I feel most people don’t really observe what is happening and then react to it. They seem to have a hypothesis and just pretend it’s real.

Let’s ask some questions and then I’ll share what I’ve observed.

Why do venues pay fees?

I’ve play a lot of show for tips only. There was a time when I said I would not seek or accept a fee, but after someone insisted I do so… it’s kind of hard to turn you back on money.

I’m sure some venues pay fees just because they respect the fact the artist deserves to be compensated for their time. That seems reasonable enough. But if it were just a matter of fair compensation, why would there be different fees?

Why are some artist worth 3k L$ per hour and others worth 6K L$ per hours? Are the 6K artists twice as good? Not from what I’ve observed.

In most cases the higher fee is paid to the artist that has the biggest draw. The venue owners are buying visitors. Note, not customers, but visitors. While the more visitors a venue has the more likely it is to receive tips, the fact remains that in 99.99999999% of the time, these tips the venue collects doesn’t even cover the fee they pay the artist that draws the crowd.

Since there is no sound commercial sense to paying a huge fee, I have to conclude the reasons are more abstract then profit motivations. If there are 100 fee-paying venues, they probably have 100 different reasons they pay fees.

What conclusion is safe to arrive at with this observation? Well, don’t sweat the fees. They only amount to a few dollars either way. If a good venue offers you a “tips only” show and some strip club offers you 4K for an hour of your time, I would recommend the good venue (if it was an “either or” situation). People go to a music venue because they are interested in music. People go to a strip club because… well your guess is as good as mine, but I think they are less interested in music. Your support group has more long-term value then some fee will ever provide.

Music Management in Second Life?

Yes, that is a question. For those of you paying attention, I’ve had some dealing with being “Represented” and at this point I can claim some informed opinions about the experience, base of course on my observations.

I’m not a Rockstar in real life, and if I were… that would be my little secret in Second Life. In reality, the Rockstar bar is set pretty low in Second Life. What passes for Karaoke in real life passes as entertainment in Second life. Now there are some people with actual talent in Second Life, but it would be far simpler to list the acts that suck then the act that are amazing.

While you need almost no talent to become a performer, there are still people that lack the most rudimentary talent to make the leap into Second life rockstardom. Those talent less few take up Second life careers in music management.

When you combine insecure, and questionable talent with the utterly talent less brood of music management types, making all kinds of promises, you have a volatile mix.

Now if it seems as if I’m painting all management types with the same brush, perhaps I am. There are probably a few management types that are simply helping out artists they really believe in.

I can only speak with any authority about my specific situation during my short association with “Mars needs Puppies”, or “Many nobodies pretending”, or “ Moody needs Prozac”, whatever MNP really stands for.

I gave it a try… it didn’t work. Should I say more? Probably not, but if you know me at all you must know I am going to say more.

I’m often accused of being arrogant. I don’t see myself that way at all, and frankly those that point a finger and angrily grunt out “ARROGANT” confuse me. I see myself more as very secure about my music. You either like it or you don’t. If you like it, I think you have remarkable musical taste and if you don’t like it…well, you probably enjoy your gold medals from the Special Olympics. Different people like different things. I like my music; I listen to it all the time.

From the “Get go” I met the Queen of MNP and she gave me a laundry list of things to do, and if of course didn’t do any of them. We should have both parted ways shortly after that first meeting. But we didn’t. I think we were both trying to give each other a fair shake.

I know by the end of December I was trying to figure out a polite way to end the…relationship. I feel Moody was probably doing the same. I was not going to be one of her submissive “Do what I say” type artist, and if you wonder why I was so resistant to her suggestions, well frankly, they all sounded stupid. Perhaps that is how I earned my arrogant tag, questioning Moody.

But this is not about my checkered past, but rather the value of management in Second Life.

Most venue owners are easy to get along with. Communication is pretty simple in Second Life. I seem to keep my calendar full without representation. I’m pretty sure most artists could do as well without representation.

I think when I agreed to work with MNP I was expecting some kind of comprehensive plan to help me attain my goals. That is what management does in real life. I didn’t get that. What I did get was a few gigs that paid a fee (last one being in a strip club…good going Moody), and being followed around by MNP Pod People.

My experience with management in Second Life indicates to me it’s pretty much pointless. At least in my case it is. What I want is pretty simple. Play my music and try to find people that want to listen to it. I don’t really need representation to prop up my ego, because believe it or not, it’s not about my ego. It’s about my music.

Warning: we are at CODE RED!!! (What a menacing title for such a happy entry)

Yesterday Barack Obama was inaugurated as president of the United States, and The Sound of RED was released as well (BONUS).

The release party was a blast. Once again Harrie bedeck the Jester Inn with appropriate décor. Red balloons all over the place and a plethora of Sound of RED flags. Great Job Harrie, You flat out RAWK!!!

Hempgrl also provided some free The Sound of RED t-shirts for the event as well. Thanks Hemp.

The party was well attended; I really don’t have a number. But the place was hopping for sure.

As tradition dictates, I gave away two free copies of the new release, and the winners were JoBeth and Lundy. Jo Beth was also a winner at “The Hit List 2008” party. Way to go girl.

Nyx was in constant motion, as always, and four new members where added to the Zorch Nation.

How did the new collection sell? Well, 13 archives were downloaded last night. This brings the over all total of downloads for the month to well over one gig of files. This means in less then a month into the New Year, we’ve downloaded 36% of the total for last year. In other word, downloading MP3s is catching on.

The pixilated air of Second Life seems rife with the sweet smell of success. Wasn’t it less then a week ago somebody told me I would never find success? The best revenge is to live well.

Thanks to all in attendance and all supporters in general. I’ll continue to write, record and perform the best music I can.

The view from here: Turning a corner?

Something has changed and things seem to be getting better. The attendance seems to be solid, and even at night I’m seeing a marked improvement.

MP3 downloads have really moved to the next level. I no longer bother to count the individual downloads, but rather, tabulate the amount of bandwidth used. If the trend continues, I’ll have over one Gig of downloads in the first month of the year. The release of “The Sound of RED” almost guarantees it.

Unique visits on the web site have always been an indicator of growth to me. In the first 15 days of the month, the web site found 91 new visitors. While this is notable, the over all traffic to the site is up as well. Way up. As normal, the most visited section of the site is the calendar page, and that is a very good thing indeed.

Another good sign is the freebie download MP3 at the site is getting a good deal of attention. While some might see that as a bad thing (because I’m not making any money on a fee download), I see it as quite an accomplishment. There are millions of free downloads at MySpace that never get downloaded. People equate free with worthless. However, if say… Metalica were to host a free download, millions would be grabbing a fistful o’ files. People are not downloading because it’s free; they are downloading because they are interested.

If I had to point to one factor in the forward movement, I would only need three letters to mark it down. N-Y-X. While I do supply the music, Nyx is for the most part the wind beneath my wings. She does all the things Moody’s pod people use to do, but does it about ten fold better. Why? Because when all is said and done, she is a fan of the music. She knows the lyrics, what songs are on what collection, what is going on at the web site, and the events to mention during the show. She is a virtual Swiss army knife of music promotion. I’ve offered many times to pay her, but she refuses. She is just supporting the music she loves.

Booyah Nyx, you full on RAWK!!!

Of course I can’t mention Nyx without mentioning Nya. While she is far less vocal, her support is very real indeed. I’ve booked a few shows simply because she gave me a recommendation, and when things go horribly wrong, Nya has Plan “B” covered.

While I have been removed from the “Mars Need Puppies” (or whatever MNP really stands for) roster, things are going very well indeed. The biggest reason for this, is the many Venue operators that have been long standing supporters. Harrie, Jackie, Lucincia, Bubbles, Sternchen, Cerowain, Shilow, Kalita, Hempgrl, Ab, Lundy, and Drusilla. The list goes on and I’m sorry if I’ve forgotten anybody. But these good people are the people that allow me to do my job, no fuss no muss, just plug in and play.

And while I’m handing out “Mad Props”, I would be quite remiss if I didn’t mention the good citizens of the Zorch Nation. With out them I would be playing to empty venues, and Nyx and Nya would just be chatting back and forth. You good people make the wheels on the bus go round and round. Thanks you all for your support.

I’ve just come to a realization, and permit me to share it with you.

Many of the self-proclaimed experts insist you must immerse yourself in the “Second Life Music community” to get ahead. Say everybody that fires up a stream is brilliant, and praise even the most suspect venue. But this is a load of shit and I’ll tell you why. Whatever comes from this paradigm is an artificial by product of community first thinking. This is why the music community is so freaking stagnant. Nobody outside of the community cares about the community.

I have developed a community of core supporters, venues and listeners that support my music because they like my music. Of course this community does reach out to embrace other artist that present good original music, and this makes sense because good music is good music and if community is music oriented it’s going to encompass artist of worth.. Almost everybody likes music of some sort. When things revolve around music, there is room to grow.

Things seem to be growing.

Get ready for RED week begins

Exciting times my dear reader. Get ready for RED week is in motion. Please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times… unless you don’t want to.

We kicked off the week with a new release of old material, “Hit List 2008”. I’ve been asked if the Hit List 2008 collection indicates that I’m retiring the older collections, and the answer to that is “NO”. The reason behind the Hit List 2008 is to give newer fans a chance to catch up. Once upon a time there was one collection to consider, as it stands now there are 5, and one greatest hits of 2008 collection. If you are starting from Square one, Hit list 2008 is a great buy.

The kick off event was held at Melodies, and many thanks go out to Hempgrl and her staff. About 20 minutes into the show we started to crash the Sim, the stream dropped and Hemp started pulling some of the more scripted objects to make the Sim more secure. If you are wondering how many attended the event, the official number is a ba-zillion. Not quite the Ka-jillion I was hoping for… but a good start.

Speaking of getting ready for RED, lets not forget the release we are getting ready for, “The Sound of RED”. It’s currently, “in the can” and just going through the critical listening portion of the process. This is when I take the primary mixes and listen to them over and over to see what annoys the crap out of me and change it before I unleash it on the public.

What can you expect from “The Sound of RED”? Well, while it may sound cliché, you can expect the unexpected. “Songs in the key of Green” was very tightly themed, but this collection wants to take you for a ride where you are never sure what is around the next bend. If I had to pick a classic album to compare it to, I would have to point at Queen’s Night at the Opera (but nothing on “The Sound of RED” is remotely like Bohemian Rhapsody).

Other events planned for the upcoming week include a songwriter’s summit with POL Arida, Blindboy Gumbo and myself. This should prove to be interesting. We are doing three songs and passing the stream but taking a moment to talk about the act and art of song writing between each song. The round robin nature of this even might really bring out some interesting points.

I’m also considering having a listening party at my pirate shack the Monday afternoon before the actual release of the collection. This would not be a public event, but a Zorch Nation only party.

Time to get excited good reader, time to get ready for RED.

Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding

While I am an arrogant bastard, I do my best to be fair. The other day Suka from Cuddler’s cove contacted me, told me she really did think I was only booked for December and then offered me another show at Cuddler’s cove.

I think she was honestly dealing in good faith at the time, and of course I told her thanks for the offer, but no thanks.

Perhaps the notice of the show cancellation on January 3rd was just an oversight, and I’ve read entirely too much into the situation.

Perhaps I’m getting paranoid.

But just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean people aren’t out to get you.

I’m inclined to think because she made an attempt to clear things up, she really intended no harm. When people fuck you over, they do their mischief and then sit back and smirk to themselves. They don’t attempt to clear things up.

There is no way I can ever know her true motivations, but her actions suggest I accused her unfairly. If that is the case, I’m deeply sorry.

Now in an attempt on my part to clear things up, allow me to explain my somewhat venomous post of the last few days.

I had a story to tell and I tried my best to tell it fairly, and interestingly. If I did copy and paste their comments (and I didn’t because that would be a violation of the Second Life terms of service), it would have been in an attempt to let the speaker stand and or fall by their own words.

However, I realized if I had, in an attempt to be fair, violated the Terms of Service, one of Moody’s goons would threaten to report the violation. She might say something like, “If you are going to play the game you better know the rules” (Quotation marks used in abstraction because I’m guessing what some imaginary MNP Goon might say).

This realization upset me. I hate to be threatened and bullied, even if it’s just by considering the outcome of events.

So realizing the option to be fair was not really an option, I decided to be truthful instead. While I’ll claim nothing I said was factual (as in I did not quote anybody), my paraphrases were representative of the truth. Some found the remarks funny (because they were true) and some felt my remarks were a bit much, but still funny. As a matter of fact, the only people I can imagine finding the remarks not funny, are the parties involved and people that don’t know the parties involved and are unaware how truly pathetic they are.

This being said, the war is over. I’m sure “Mars Needs Puppies” or whatever MNP really stands for will continue to try and harass me, but I’m over it. I’m sure Ch-arm will talk as much shit about me as she can, but I don’t care.

The reality of it all is I’m involved with Second life to play my music for the people that want to hear it. I’ll play the venues that love to have me come play. I’ll continue to write, perform and record the best music I can. I don’t really need representation. I’m actually good at what I do.

A tale to tell, draw your own conclusions

Today I logged on for my show at Cuddler’s Cove. I was a bit taken back by the fact my slot was listed as being played by another performer. I ask Suka about it.

*Editor’s note, it has been brought to my attention that copying and pasting private conversations in Second Life is a violation of the Terms of Service. With this in mind, I shall simply paraphrase what was said. Of course I may err of the side of truth *

Zorch Boomhauer: Have I been canceled?

Suka Nishi: when I booked with my good and dear friend Charm it was only thru Dec. Or at least that was the lame ass excuse she gave me to tell you.

Suka Nishi: and I sent you a note, really… no kidding but you didn't answer so assumed you wanted to stop because you were too busy being an arrogant bastard.

Zorch Boomhauer: that is not what I was told but whatever

Suka Nishi: sorry (tee-hee)

*Editor’s note, that was a paraphrase….really, no kidding *



If this were true, it would not really be much of a story. But lets see what the facts reveal.

Last Saturday, January 3rd, they canceled the Saturday morning show. How do I know this? Because Suka sent me a note card explaining there were real life issues and they would not be able to host the event.

If she didn’t expect me to be performing in January, why did she notify me? It seems to me the notice implies she expected me to show up in January.

I’m not going to presume to tell you what to think. But I’ll gladly tell you what I think *smiles *.

I think some venues book talent based on music, and some venues are social /political entities that really cripple the music scene in Second life. Frankly, if it’s not about music I don’t want to be involved with it. I have mentioned I don’t wish to “play along to get along”.

As for “Music Not Politics”, I’m imagining at this point the name is meant to be ironic.

And for the record, don’t think I’m whining because life is not fair. I’m well aware it’s not. But I’m more then willing to point at the people that act morally superior when they are being utterly childish.

Who’s arrogant?

Today had much suckage about it. A while back, while mentioning out much I enjoyed Blindboy Gumbo’s music, I mentioned I played a show after him at bay vista, and the only reason I played it was so I would be sure to see his show at least once a week.

This was intended to be kudos for Blindboy, but it seems not everybody saw it that way.

I got this in a note card today when I logged in.

*Editor’s note, it has been brought to my attention that copying and pasting private conversations in Second Life is a violation of the Terms of Service. With this in mind, I shall simply paraphrase what was said. Of course I may err of the side of truth *

I was recently made aware of a statement you made in your blog. Yes, it seems I do know some people that can read above a 3rd grade level.

From this statement it is obvious that you have no appreciation of the tremendous sacrifice I make allowing you to play, and encouraging people to donate to my venue to help defray the cost of operation. You arrogant prick… you die, you die and go to hell.

(I actually have a long-standing show following Blindboy at Bay Vista. If Blindboy ever drops that gig, I won’t be showing my face at Bay Vista again. Dropping in early to catch his show is my prime motivation.)

the feeling is mutantal I assure you. Please don't bother coming back. I will be telling all my friends what a big poopoo head you are. you have become much to arrogant to be a vital part of the live music scene. You don't belong here.

I made you and I can break you too. I banish thee, one, two, threeeeee.

Ch-arm March

*Editor’s note, that was a paraphrase….really, no kidding *


I don’t see anything arrogant on my part. But I see something incredibly arrogant on Ms. March’s part (I refuse to call her Charm at this point, it just doesn’t fit).

Please note, “you have become much to arrogant to be a vital part of the live music scene. You don't belong here”. Noooo, I’m not talking about the typos or grammatical errors. I’m talking about the arrogance Ms March shows in assuming to speak for live music scene in Second life.

She has banished me from the live music scene, yet I’ve played two show today after my banishment. How is this possible? Didn’t the venue owners get the memo from the desk of Ch-arm March?

Let’s put Bay Vista in perspective. The venue is as popular as the acts that play there make it. I have seen it all but empty when people that don’t have a draw play there, and I’ve seen it hopping when Uber popular people are playing there. Ms March is not the tastemaker she seems to think she is. As a matter of fact, both the show I played today were well attended.

I actually found Ms March’s comments so ludicrous that I referenced them in my notice for my next show. I said, “come on down and get and earful from the man deemed too arrogant to be a vital part of the Live music Scene in Second life”.

This offhanded comment incited a reaction from one of Moody’s MNP Pod People.

*Editor’s note, it has been brought to my attention that copying and pasting private conversations in Second Life is a violation of the Terms of Service. With this in mind, I shall simply paraphrase what was said. Of course I may err of the side of truth *

Totally interchangeable MNP Pod person: The SKyline gets ZORCHED 10 AM SLT Thu Jan 08 23:08:20 2009

Come on down and listen to the man dubbed to arrogant to be part of the vital music scene in SL *smirks*

Totally interchangeable MNP Pod person: Is that kind of blatant mockery of Ch-arms over inflated scene of worth necessary? Really?(I meant to use 2 questions marks there to underline my shock) Do you think it makes you some kind of Mr. Funny pants???(Notice my ever growing level of shock by the number of questions marks I use) or, wacky?(okay now the shock is wearing off a bit) All it does is…. Well I forget what it does; I’ll ask Ch-arm and get back to you.

And by the way, we Pod People are not interchangeable; I have kitty ears and a tail, because I’m a cat (Meow, meow).

Zorch Boomhauer: you don't like the notice leave the group

Totally interchangeable MNP Pod person with Kitty ears and a tail (Meow,meow): too slow grandpa, I’m already a dot on the horizon… I wonder what that actually means?. however your notices are a reflection on “Music NOT Potato Salad”.. wait, that is not what it stands for… um… MNP. And we insist our artistises conform lock step to whatever Moody or any of her trusted Non-interchangeable Pod people (because I have kitty cat ears and a tail) say.

It’s our God given duty to play on people insecurities, and make outlandish promises we can’t keep. We do this all because we are shameless and empty people looking for respect we simply don’t deserve. When one of our kli-ents gets new people in their group, it’s not because they played good music that people wanted to hear more of, but because we emoted our fingers to the bone begging people to join. And if by some fluke we don’t completely derail our Kli-ents efforts and he or she achieves some measure of success, we claim it as our own.

Your arrogant mindset indicates you are not insecure enough to do whatever we tell you without question. And while we don’t deserve respect… we demand it.

As to your music, well it’s good I guess. Or at least Moody thinks it’s good. But it’s probably not good now because you are arrogant.

Zorch Boomhauer: and what the fuck makes you an expert on music?

Totally interchangeable MNP Pod person with Kitty ears and a tail (Meow,meow): And as of now you are no longer represented by MNP. One,two,three I banish thee.

So I take great pleasure in telling you (because my life is an empty meaningless sock puppet show and the oddest things give me pleasure) good luck in finding someone else to try and find the insecurities lurking deep inside you, and exploit you for their own glory.

Zorch Boomhauer: Good

Totally interchangeable MNP Pod person with Kitty ears and a tail (Meow,meow): an expert on music? I’m not claiming to be an expert on anything more the towing the Music NOT Puppies line.

But i know what it is to have a HUMANE quality to any situation. I’m so very HUMANE, that is why I really enjoyed giving you the sack, you are evil, and it’s HUMANE to do bad things to people that are evil… oh yes, and arrogant. I use all CAPITAL letter when I type HUMANE to show just how HUMANE I really am.

Zorch Boomhauer: thank for sharing

*Editor’s note, that was a paraphrase….really, no kidding *


Now keep in mind I sent out a notice, so I’m getting ready for a show. The Pod Person should have figured this out, but it was beyond her pea brain to grasp. Frankly this blathering is astoundingly pointless. What does HUMANE (all caps) have to do with my questionable sense of irony? It’s not like I’m holding people without due process and forcing them to read my notices.

Just between you and I, I’m quite glad to be un-represent-able again (probably not a word but that isn’t stopping anybody else). I book most of my shows by myself and ever since Nyx has been “Assisting me”, group membership and web site hits are though the roof. As a matter of fact, I’ve had one show played recently that included the questionable assistance of Moody’s Pod people, and NOBODY came to that show. Well that is not entirely true, there were people working the venue… dancers there. And some of them joined the Zorch Nation, and I saw a couple at my early morning show today, of course that is probably Nyx’s doing as well.

Now I don’t think I’ve been particularly arrogant lately. But if I am, I am, I can live with that. I write the songs, perform the songs, play a crazy schedule, and do it all to get my music out. I work hard for whatever success I have, and maybe I should not be so quick to allow hangers-on to share in it.

I’ve never wanted to “Play along to get along”, and if people don’t want the music, they really don’t want anything I’m offering.

So to sum it up, my name is Zorch, I’m an arrogant bastard and I write some of the best music you’ll ever hear. And if that is not enough for you… fuck off.

The view from here, looking back at 2008

Well this is the first Blog of 2009, so it’s only fitting I take a look back at my first calendar year in Second Life. This won’t be so much antidotal but rather sticking to the cold hard unfeeling numbers.

But before I get all-statistical I feel I should mention there is a pre-history to all these events. Back in the day when I was blundering about looking for gigs and trying to figure out how to explain what I do to anybody that would listen. I don’t have any data for this time. Only the cave drawings of my past remain, there meaning lost to me as time dragged on. I mention all of this only to say there was once a Cro-Magnon Zorch.

In April of 2008, Harrie showed me how to use Google calendar to keep track of shows, and these nascent dates represent the emergence of Zorch proper. Please note, that there were some dates played before the 26th of April 2008, but between the 26th of April and the 31st of December there are some 341 shows documented.

On May 8th of 2008, the Zorch Boomhauer MySpace page was posted. In the intervening months some 2,498 people have viewed my humble initial web presence. There are also 1,356 plays on the music posted to MySpace.

On July 7th 2008, I established the ZorchBoom.com web site. This is currently my primary web presence. During it’s six month run, ZorchBoom has logged in 340 unique visitors, but more important that just the bulk number is the growth it represents. It breaks down as follows.

Jul 14 Unique visitors
Aug 22 Unique visitors
Sep 37 Unique visitors
Oct 52 Unique visitors
Nov 77 Unique visitors
Dec 138 Unique visitors

Significant growth in December, but most important is every month show an increase over the last.

ZorchBoom.com is also the server from which I host my MP3 downloads. The year total is 2.39 GB of files downloaded. That is a lot of MP3s.

As a footnote, all expenses in promoting Zorch Boomhauer have been covered by monies made in Second Life. The web site/file host is paid for in full by profits from performance and sales of MP3s. So when looking back at 2008, we see not only growth, but profit.

2008 also saw the release of 5 music collections.

Songs in the Key of Green.
White and Black.
Black and White.
Get Zorched.
Love songs, hate song, in-between.

The first collection of 2009 is already in the works and slated for release on January 20th, 2009.

Finally, our group, The Zorch Nation started December with 180 members. I commented I wanted 250 members as my Christmas gift. On December 23, we hit the 250 mark.

Looking back at 2008, I see a year of hard work and much growth. I do intend to keep working hard and as an optimist I’m expecting growth to continue. Much thanks to all the people that made it happen.