Djai is a piano singer/songwriter. He writes simple, timeless, classic songs accessible to all.
Djai's shows consist of all original material played and sung totally live. Whether you want to rock or be mellow you will come away from his shows singing the songs to yourself.
He also wrote the original song "Get It Together" and completed the project to see it collaboratively recorded by 13 SL musicians. The track is available freely all over Second Life as a way to raise the profile of live music in SL. The musicians who collaborated on this project are: Djai Skjellerup, Toby Lancaster, BabbleGrabble Swindlehurst, Kim Seifert, Mimi Carpenter, The Professor, Rich Desoto, Jambalaya Fonck, Zak Claxton, Norris Shepherd, Jean Munro, Freestar Tammas and Lyn Carlberg.
Here below some questions I posed to Djai and his answers, all about Second Life live music.
Do you want me to use your real name?
No...please use my SL name
Where are you from?
I live in the south west of England near the city of Bath.
How long have you been playing music?
I had violin lessons when I was 7 and I was supremely bad but it did at least teach me to read music. I then went on to play the organ which is where it started to fall into place for me.
What instruments do you play?
I concentrate on piano now but I can turn my hand to all keyboard instruments
How did you discover SL?
I first heard about SL from a magazine article in the UK and immediately connected with it's promised ability to provide a platform for musicians to be heard.
What has influenced you to get your to where you are today musically?
It's been a long road for me in alot of different genres. Once I started playing the organ I was playing theatre, church and electronic organ and I soon began playing gigs in my teens. I played for weddings, birthdays, recitals; just about anything I could. I had a wide range of musical styles from classical to swing and jazz standards. While studying for a music qualification I began composing at around the age of 15. By the time I was 17 I had realised that some music was perceived as cool and some not so cool and I got into writing songs and being in bands. I had a variety of roles in a few bands all of which nearly did something but ended up gloriously unsuccessful. Gradually the shadow of responsibility meant that music took a back seat to career and family and although I was always still involved in music it was only with SL that it became thoroughly reinvigorated.
Do you think SL can be a valid showcase for your RL works? -
Indeed, I am dedicated SL as it is the perfect medium for someone in my position. I do not see myself as someone who is simply using SL to further a RL career but rather that everything I do now musically is steeped in using SL as an outlet.
How would you describe your style?
I am a melody junky. I write Melodic songs with thoughtful lyrics on piano and vocal. For my shows it's just me and a piano. I try to engage the audience in my shows and make every one as filled with energy, enthusiasm, wit and discovery as I can.
Which are the sources of your inspiration?
There are many melodic pop and rock acts that have inspired me musically but mostly these days it is everyday occurances and events that inspire me more.
Do you use other kind of digital promotions?
I have a website: http://www.djaiskjellerup.com
A myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/djaiskjellerup1
and a 61 page: http://www.thesixtyone.com/djaiskjellerup
Check Djai out at..
www.djaiskjellerup.com
www.myspace.com/djaiskjellerup1
www.thesixtyone.com/djaiskjellerup
