By Netera Landar
What can I say about Twin Ghost that will help you understand the depth of his music? That when you’re in a virtual room with him, you have an instant connection. That he reaches your very soul.
I think the first time I heard him sing was in Key West’s outdoor venue. That was a long time ago. The song I loved to hear was “Live Again.” The wolves howl in unison. Twin plays the guitar. He is pure magic. I write paranormal fiction in real life, and that always inspired me.
“Once upon a time….
You came to me in a dream
I knew you were… the one
I’ve lived a thousand lives a million times…”
Buy the digital album here (https://twinghost.bandcamp.com/album/live-again). Support Twin and enter his world. You will not be disappointed.
Twin agreed to an interview, which blew me away. When any musician can make time for you, it’s like your birthday and New Year’s wrapped up with a red bow.
Of course, I had to ask him what was the first song that he heard that made him think that’s a hell of a song?
“‘Rubber Band Man’ by the Spinners!” he admitted right away. “I don’t know if 7-year-old me would’ve said, ‘That’s a hell of a song.’ But I did wear out that 45 record! It certainly had an effect on young, Twin! ‘Love’s In Need Of Love Today’ by Stevie Wonder – That’s a hell of a song.”
Then I slipped in, "What is it about music that makes you want to devote your life to it?”
“Because it’s magic! Creating joy out of thin air is something I will never take for granted,” he said. “When I’m performing, and that energy comes back at me. Man, that’s it! That’s where the magic is!”
Twin added that performing in Second Life is very powerful in that way. That the connection is instant and that this form of energy fuels him in a very positive way while he's playing.
I then asked him about his past. I wanted to know when he learned to play the guitar. If he took lessons or if he was self-taught.
I learned that Twin’s father bought him a small acoustic guitar when he was 7 or 8 years old. He tried to teach Twin the three chords he knew.
“The word ‘f*ck’ was definitely expressed several times as I failed to make the chords correctly. (laughter),” he told me. “The end result was the guitar collecting dust. When I was around 14 or 15, I bought a bass and an electric guitar and simultaneously formed two bands with two groups of friends. The kids from my neighborhood and the kids from school.”
Twin was a rebel in high school, and he was fortunate to have an important friend during those years. Gary owned a Les Paul Electric Guitar and a guitar amp with distortion.
“We’re talkin’ life-changing moment here!” Twin admitted. “The first time he handed it to me, it felt like I was being handed the holy grail! I knew my life would be changed forever. Gary was a Rock Star!”
Twin learned a lot from the “cats” he played with over the years. When he turned 17, he signed with Warner Records, released a few albums, and toured the U.S. He was in a hardcore punk band with friends he grew up with. His connection with them continued into his 20s. His life was filled with music, day and night, when he lived with talented artists and musicians.
“It was a very creative time in my life,” he stated. “Living together as a band, practicing all the time, and playing gigs. Some great nights where the band would play for hours, constantly reaching…for what? Who knows! (laughter). But we were all in and fully devoted to the cause. I learned a lot from those kinds of experiences. Good and bad.”
I asked Twin, as a songwriter, which song he is most proud of and what its message is.
“I think the song most people respond to is ‘Pieces of My Life.” It’s a song about the effectiveness of listening. And perhaps sometimes just being an ear for someone is more fulfilling and useful than words or advice. But really, it’s just a love song.”
Twin admitted that he learned the most about his art during the years he performed in Second Life. Those were his best shows, his fondest memories, and personal musical achievements. He believes that this specific virtual world is where singers and musicians can enjoy live music, develop as artists, and craft their sound and performance. It’s the perfect learning ground because of audience feedback and support.
I asked him what brought him back to Second Life. He’d been gone for a while.
“Gone, but hopefully not forgotten! (laughter). I certainly did not forget SL. Thought about it nearly every day. Missed it greatly. In short, life happened. But the good news is music heals. What brought me back? Music is meant to be shared (and it was painful keeping it inside). For me, live music is therapy! It has the power to heal both parties when we’re in it together. And that’s what it feels like when I play in SL, like we’re all in it together.”
Twin is booking in Second Life exclusively these days. You can find him on the grid all summer. Join his group to stay informed about his gigs, and head over to his website to purchase an album or two.
He’s on YouTube and Bandcamp, and you can stream his music on all platforms:
https://www.youtube.com/user/twinghostfilms
https://twinghost.bandcamp.com/
The link to his calendar:
https://tinyurl.com/3xaenmha
Netera Landar
What can I say about Twin Ghost that will help you understand the depth of his music? That when you’re in a virtual room with him, you have an instant connection. That he reaches your very soul.
I think the first time I heard him sing was in Key West’s outdoor venue. That was a long time ago. The song I loved to hear was “Live Again.” The wolves howl in unison. Twin plays the guitar. He is pure magic. I write paranormal fiction in real life, and that always inspired me.
“Once upon a time….
You came to me in a dream
I knew you were… the one
I’ve lived a thousand lives a million times…”
Buy the digital album here (https://twinghost.bandcamp.com/album/live-again). Support Twin and enter his world. You will not be disappointed.
Twin agreed to an interview, which blew me away. When any musician can make time for you, it’s like your birthday and New Year’s wrapped up with a red bow.
Of course, I had to ask him what was the first song that he heard that made him think that’s a hell of a song?
“‘Rubber Band Man’ by the Spinners!” he admitted right away. “I don’t know if 7-year-old me would’ve said, ‘That’s a hell of a song.’ But I did wear out that 45 record! It certainly had an effect on young, Twin! ‘Love’s In Need Of Love Today’ by Stevie Wonder – That’s a hell of a song.”
Then I slipped in, "What is it about music that makes you want to devote your life to it?”
“Because it’s magic! Creating joy out of thin air is something I will never take for granted,” he said. “When I’m performing, and that energy comes back at me. Man, that’s it! That’s where the magic is!”
Twin added that performing in Second Life is very powerful in that way. That the connection is instant and that this form of energy fuels him in a very positive way while he's playing.
I then asked him about his past. I wanted to know when he learned to play the guitar. If he took lessons or if he was self-taught.
I learned that Twin’s father bought him a small acoustic guitar when he was 7 or 8 years old. He tried to teach Twin the three chords he knew.
“The word ‘f*ck’ was definitely expressed several times as I failed to make the chords correctly. (laughter),” he told me. “The end result was the guitar collecting dust. When I was around 14 or 15, I bought a bass and an electric guitar and simultaneously formed two bands with two groups of friends. The kids from my neighborhood and the kids from school.”
Twin was a rebel in high school, and he was fortunate to have an important friend during those years. Gary owned a Les Paul Electric Guitar and a guitar amp with distortion.
“We’re talkin’ life-changing moment here!” Twin admitted. “The first time he handed it to me, it felt like I was being handed the holy grail! I knew my life would be changed forever. Gary was a Rock Star!”
Twin learned a lot from the “cats” he played with over the years. When he turned 17, he signed with Warner Records, released a few albums, and toured the U.S. He was in a hardcore punk band with friends he grew up with. His connection with them continued into his 20s. His life was filled with music, day and night, when he lived with talented artists and musicians.
“It was a very creative time in my life,” he stated. “Living together as a band, practicing all the time, and playing gigs. Some great nights where the band would play for hours, constantly reaching…for what? Who knows! (laughter). But we were all in and fully devoted to the cause. I learned a lot from those kinds of experiences. Good and bad.”
I asked Twin, as a songwriter, which song he is most proud of and what its message is.
“I think the song most people respond to is ‘Pieces of My Life.” It’s a song about the effectiveness of listening. And perhaps sometimes just being an ear for someone is more fulfilling and useful than words or advice. But really, it’s just a love song.”
Twin admitted that he learned the most about his art during the years he performed in Second Life. Those were his best shows, his fondest memories, and personal musical achievements. He believes that this specific virtual world is where singers and musicians can enjoy live music, develop as artists, and craft their sound and performance. It’s the perfect learning ground because of audience feedback and support.
I asked him what brought him back to Second Life. He’d been gone for a while.
“Gone, but hopefully not forgotten! (laughter). I certainly did not forget SL. Thought about it nearly every day. Missed it greatly. In short, life happened. But the good news is music heals. What brought me back? Music is meant to be shared (and it was painful keeping it inside). For me, live music is therapy! It has the power to heal both parties when we’re in it together. And that’s what it feels like when I play in SL, like we’re all in it together.”
Twin is booking in Second Life exclusively these days. You can find him on the grid all summer. Join his group to stay informed about his gigs, and head over to his website to purchase an album or two.
He’s on YouTube and Bandcamp, and you can stream his music on all platforms:
https://www.youtube.com/user/twinghostfilms
https://twinghost.bandcamp.com/
The link to his calendar:
https://tinyurl.com/3xaenmha
Netera Landar
