The Adventures of Dolmere Talamasca

Dolmere: How do you describe your music to someone who has not heard it?
Mel Cheeky: Original, acoustic folk I think describes my music best.

Dolmere: Tell me about your websites please. You have one at http://www.melcheeky.com - anything else? What do you use your websites to accomplish?
Mel Cheeky: My main website is www.melaniefudge.com = my real life name. I made the www.melcheeky.com one to incoporate SL into my music.
Mel Cheeky: I like to have my websites so people can learn who I am, maybe get underneath the avatar, person. I also use my websites to sell my music.
Dolmere: How have the online sales been?
Mel Cheeky: They have been amazing since joining SL, but more-so, since I made everything downloadable, things have improved vastly. My next venture is to have people able to pay in L's for a RL mp3 / cd.
Dolmere: I've heard that somewhere before...
Dolmere: but I digress...

Dolmere: Have you seen any kind of trends with online sales? Are there any in-world activities that lend themselves to selling CDs over others?
Mel Cheeky: Usually when I play new places, for new people. The sales increase a lot then.
Dolmere: You have an in-world store located in Music City. Can you tell me a bit about the store? (Here)
Mel Cheeky: I have a vending machine over at Music city where people can purchase music boxes of my songs that work in SL.
Dolmere: 10 second clips, or full songs?
Mel Cheeky: full songs - but they all had to be uploaded in multiple 10 second files.
Dolmere: I see

Dolmere: Do you rehearse/practice offline or mostly keep your "chops" up from in-world and live performances? How much do you practice during a given week?
Mel Cheeky: I don't practice, when I play it's usually on second life. The only other time I play is if I am writing a song, or I may play some on a chat programme.
Mel Cheeky: I don't have any set time to practice...I'm not good with structure lol.
Dolmere: Speaking of writing songs... What inspires you musically and lyrically? When does the muse speak to you the most?
Mel Cheeky: Sadly, it's usually when someone hurts me.
Dolmere: :(
Dolmere Talamasca puts the hammer down
Mel Cheeky: I have a great muse too though, my whole reason for beginning to write in the first place.
Dolmere: Are you going to leave that teaser dangling for my reader or expand on your muse?
Mel Cheeky: My ex boyfriend - the one who inspired me to play too. He's a musician also - one of the best. He's such an amazing person who taught me to love me for me, and not worry about what anyone else thinks.
Dolmere: great answer, thanks
Dolmere: Have you been playing out in local clubs in real life?
Mel Cheeky: Not yet. I'm currently learning to drive, so then I will be able to. Being a single mom that can't drive causes all kinds of problems lol.
Dolmere: I'll bet!

Dolmere: When do you actually SLEEP? You're seemingly always in SL and attend or play shows at all hours of the night. You'll be playing our Shelter in Exile show at 5pm this Wednesday - that's about 3 or 4am your time, no?
Mel Cheeky: 5pm SLT = 1am my time, so it's not that bad.
Mel Cheeky: Sometimes, I do stay up way too late, but I love the live music in SL, and sadly, it's all late late late.
Mel Cheeky: I'll just sleep the next day when my son is in school.
Dolmere: ah, that's the trick!
Dolmere: You're Welsh and speak the Welsh language. I'm afraid I'm a stupid American. Can you learn me some about your cultural background? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_language)
Mel Cheeky: I live in Wales, in the UK. We have our own language (Welsh - a celtic language). Not many people use it though. it's widely used in the North of Wales. I did my whole education through the Welsh medium. I'm so glad that my English didn't suffer!
Dolmere: So then is Welsh your primary/first language or English?
Mel Cheeky: English, but I am fluent in Welsh also -so I could use it as a first language.
Dolmere: Do you speak any other languages?
Mel Cheeky: No. I understand a little of this and a little of that. I understand more than I could say.
Dolmere: Do you feel any sort of culture hurdle when trying to write songs? Do you attempt to target your songs for a particual audience?
Mel Cheeky: No, not at all. I just write from the heart - which is probably why most are sad ballads hehe!

Dolmere: Where did you get your avatar? Accessories?
Mel Cheeky: I love the nomine skins, nyte and day clothes, and anything else is just random.
Dolmere: What other activities do you like to do in Second Life besides play wonderful acoustic folk music?
Mel Cheeky: I like to cause trouble haha! Seriously, I have a mischevious side. I've been known for 'flooding' a friends SL house, burning it on fire, boarding the whole place up.
Dolmere: wow
Mel Cheeky: Other than that, I love to support the other live musicians that are here, and finding new talent all the time.
Dolmere: is this before or after the rejection that lead to a new song? :)
Mel Cheeky: Hahahaha nothing to do with it. Usually, they're all played on my friend, Charles Coleman.
Mel Cheeky: He started a little trickery with my SL house, I just had to get him back - that part hasn't stopped yet hahahaha!
Dolmere: You don't date in-world, do you? What are your thoughts in SL dating?
Mel Cheeky: I'm not sure if I can use this language, but it's pretty screwed up.
Dolmere: you can use any language you want on my blog and in my interviews.
Dolmere: What is screwed up Mel? The act of dating or the people who try to date you?
Mel Cheeky: I don't understand how someone that's married in reality, will marry someone in SL, and claim that this is the BEST day of their lives.
Mel Cheeky: People don't try to date me lol, I usually shoot them down. Unless they are single, hell, send all the single men to me.
Dolmere: hahaa

Dolmere: Who are your favorite Second Life musicians?
Mel Cheeky: I don't even have to think about that question!! Frogg and Jay!!!!
Dolmere: :)
Dolmere: What is your favorite venue to play in Second Life?
Mel Cheeky: I absolutely love The RoC! Xea Maradona (the owner) is like a sister to me. She let's me do whatever I please, and play anytime I like.
Dolmere: That's wonderful - I've not heard anyone with such a passionate response to that question yet :)
Dolmere: I've seen quite a few wonderful shows at the RoC
Mel Cheeky: We're a family there :)
Dolmere: What are your thoughts on the current state of live music in Second Life?
Mel Cheeky: I think there's a nice balance here now, an array of musicians, a wonderful variety for the listeners.
Dolmere: How do you decide on specific cover songs?
Mel Cheeky: I haven't learnt a cover in the longest time. In my two and a half years of playing, I still only know 8 covers. I guess they just have to be what I consider a beautiful song.
Dolmere: :)

Dolmere: What covers do you play then? You can name 8!
Dolmere: am I lagged or did you decide not to answer that?
Mel Cheeky: Hands, Jetplane, Lovers lullaby, Brown eyed girl, both sides now, October, little did she know and everybody hurts.
Dolmere: there it is!
Mel Cheeky: haha
Dolmere: great songs
Dolmere: What are your personal favorite songs from your set?
Mel Cheeky: I love playing 'never good enough'.
Mel Cheeky: I just love the rhythm of the song.
Dolmere: That's one of your songs that has been covered by other SL musicians. Can you tell me about that?
Mel Cheeky: Charles Coleman, and Nikko Petty have both covered it. It's amazing how they both do it - they sound like new songs! It's so wonderful to have someone play something that you wrote.
Dolmere: When did you first hear them play it? Did they alert you that they were working on it?
Mel Cheeky: I knew Charles was. I kept annoying him that I wanted to hear it, lol!! Nikko Petty just announced that he had played it at a RL show, lol!
Dolmere: What artists would you say your original sound is most influenced by?
Mel Cheeky: I grew up loving the Carpenters. Karen had the most amazing voice, and Richard's music and harmonies are just mezmorising.

Dolmere: How would you characterize yourself?
Mel Cheeky: Goofball? Oh you mean musically *wink*. Original, acoustic folk.
Dolmere: Goofball is more like what I was looking for - but I try to leave room for interpretation
Mel Cheeky: Hahahahaha.
Dolmere: You have a son named Thomas who is about 9 years old now, right? I've heard him address a crowd gathered at some of your past performances, including an infatuation he had with someone named Cookie. Can you tell me a bit about the family?
Mel Cheeky: Thomas is 9, he has Aspergers syndrome, and doesn't understand many social issues. I was playing at Muse that one night, and Martha Cookie was there. He just found it hilarious that someone's name was Cookie.
Dolmere: I also believe he was expecting to GET a cookie since he saw Martha :)
Mel Cheeky: It's just Thomas and I in our home.
Mel Cheeky: I have 2 sisters, 3 brothers and 2 nephews!!!!
Dolmere: Thomas sounds adorable and of course looks adorable in the pictures you have posted of him.
Mel Cheeky: He may look it........ hahahaha! Thomas is a whole load of fun for sure! He loves his mum very much, even though he's prone to calling me stupid and an idiot. :)
Dolmere: I have several friends who are parents of children with Aspergers. Can you share any details that might help someone understand the challenges and rewards that come with it?
Dolmere: I suppose being called names could fit into that category - but I think most kids get precocious enough from time to time in that sense.
Mel Cheeky: Each child is different.....Thomas is very advanced with mathematics - his understanding of numbers is just amazing. He can read as well as a 15 year old. He lacks social understanding. So he could get on a bus and tell some stranger that he loves
Mel Cheeky: them, or he could just try and slap them!
Mel Cheeky: The name calling is somewhat different to how other children would do it. To Thomas, it's like a word he doesn't even know he is saying.
Dolmere: I see
Mel Cheeky: PATIENCE and eyes in the back of your head help!!!!
Dolmere: I also understand he loves robots and can talk one's ear off for hours on end regarding their names and roles. :)
Mel Cheeky: Obsessive talking is another trait for sure......
Mel Cheeky: He won't let me get a word in!
Dolmere: haha
Dolmere: Back to the mom person though...

Dolmere: What are your strongest traits?
Mel Cheeky: My strongest trait I think is empathy.
Mel Cheeky: I'm also a realist and very honest - which usually lands me in the hot water!
Dolmere: haha, ok, moved on too quickly I guess to catch that.
Dolmere: What are your long term goals?
Mel Cheeky: I would like to be in a situation where I could provide a good life for my son. I'm not being greedy. Just as long as he is healthy, fed, clothed and warm, that's all I care about.
Mel Cheeky: Things are good now, but we would all like a little improvement I think.
Dolmere: if I had a heart you'd have just heard it bleed a bit
Dolmere: that's sweet, Mel, very sweet
Mel Cheeky: No heart? Did u eat it hahahaha
Dolmere: I gave it away - wasn't using it.
Dolmere: Playing music in general can be a fun thing to do. What event in-world and out-world would you say you had the most fun at?
Mel Cheeky: I don't really do much in SL aside from the whole music side of things (and the pranks hehe).
Mel Cheeky: Outside SL, I'm a little addicted to everquest 2 right now (Thanks Billy hahahaha!).
Mel Cheeky: I'm a huge tv- aholic too!!
Dolmere: haha
Dolmere: OK, fair enough
Dolmere: Get technical - what does your setup look like to allow you to stream into Second Life?
Mel Cheeky: I have a pc, a soundblasterlive 7.1 soundcard, a behringer eurorak mixer, a shurepg58 mic on a stand and my Takamine guitar (my baby - which Thomas has decorated with butterflies)
Dolmere: You answered my next question already! Meanie.
Dolmere: What kind of guitar do you play? Any story behind it?
Mel Cheeky: My first guitar was a Yamaha. It was big and bulky - I have no idea how I managed to play it! My best friend (Russell Eponym) advised me to get a Takamine! He's always right and wise, so I did! I love it!
Mel Cheeky: (I only use Elixir strings)
Dolmere: Are you endorsed or just in love with the product?
Mel Cheeky: I just love what I use. I wish I was endorsed - maybe I could get free stuff that way hahahaha

Dolmere: Have you participated in any relaycast events?
Mel Cheeky: Oh yeah, Astrin did that with me!!!
Mel Cheeky: I've done it a few times with some others.
Dolmere: What was that like then?
Mel Cheeky: Well yeah, it's easy to do.
Mel Cheeky: Astrin Few!!! Sl's live music daddy!!
Mel Cheeky: I am so honoured - I even remember the date: July 21st 2006 (hahaha)
Dolmere: haha
Mel Cheeky: Astrin is an Icon - in my eyes anyway.
Dolmere: I'm looking forward to the show this Wednesday - it'll be a blast
Dolmere: Thanks so much for your time in this interview and in your late night gig here @ Exile.
Dolmere: Anything else you would like to share with the 2 people who read my blog?
Mel Cheeky: Hahahahahaha!
Mel Cheeky: Yes, let's all have a party!
Dolmere: The four of us will party down and groove to the folkie musics!
Mel Cheeky: One thing I would like to say.
Mel Cheeky: People tend to be afraid to talk to me. Please don't be. I am just a person, and probably way more weird hehe!