When I first started the journey into blogging the live music industry in SL I quickly became aware of two major management companies who were then representing some of the biggest names in SL music. One of the companies was Bad Management, owned by the bad one himself Bad Setner. Bad has since retired from the management game but can still often be seen at venues around the grid supporting artists (he must leave home in a hurry though because he often forgets his shirt). When Bad isnt at live music gigs he can be seen on FB backspacing like crazy after a random comment. I recently had the pleasure of talking to Bad about SL music and life in general. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I do. Love Harlow
Harlow: How did you get to be in this amazing world and after 11 years what significant changes have you seen, both good and bad?
Bad: I used to be in chatrooms, I knew a girl from there that after a few years of her trying to get me in SL, I finally decided to try it, lol took me like a week to figure out how to log in. My first day inworld she took me to a Anj Gufstason concert, I had no clue what I was doing, but from that time on, I loved the live music scene, it was like having a concert in my living room.
The good thing about SL is that it gives everyone some type of entertainment, whether they are disabled and homebound, stuck home with kids, or just lonely - they can all find something they enjoy. Everyone has their own reason for being in SL.
The bad part is the people who have nothing better to do than try to make others miserable.
Harlow: Bad, you had one of the most successful live music management businesses in SL, how did you stumble across the live music scene in sl and what made you decide to create Bad Management?
Bad: Like I said in the opening question, a friend from another chat platform brought me in and introduced me to live music. After two weeks of being in SL by myself, I found out how to get to live music and after 3 months I was working as a host for Spiritfire Entertainment when the owner, Sher Salmson, brought me on. After 2 1/2 years with her, I swore I would never manage or host again. While I was working at Spiritfire, I would go to some Camme Carver (CC) shows and I would help her when I wasn't busy with Spiritfire. After I stopped working for Spiritfire, I would go to other shows and give tips to a few singers and decided - after some arm twisting and begging from a singer to manage them - Bad Management was born.
Harlow: Off the top of my head I can name a few artists that you managed, Aaron Cabot-Jones, Fly Kugin, Savannah Rain, how did you come to believe in these artists so much that it made you want to manage them?
Bad: I started out managing CC because, like I said , I was a fan of hers on my off times while working for Spiritfire. Then I picked up Mavenn , Jaq Luik, Savannah Rain, and AleyKat - and they became the "Bad Girls" - a name that they came up with. Later down the line, I had up to 11 artists at one time - lol, I'm crazy I know - and the line up changed over time, I picked up more, dropped some, and some quit. But the main reason I liked managing was because I enjoyed helping the artists achieve their vision of performing in SL.
Harlow: What was the day of the life of a music manager like? Tantrums and tiaras, chaos and conflict or smooth sailing?
Bad: LOL, it was like herding cats at times, but mostly smooth sailing, I always loved music, I'm from a musical family, but I was more mechanical lol so I made a better roadie. I used to go to my brothers shows at bars etc. But I always had music playing somewhere - from a boombox while riding my bike, to the best car stereo and the best home entertainment system.
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Harlow: You "retired" from the management business earlier nearly 2 years agor. What made you decide to get off the merry-go-round and do you have any regrets about closing up shop?
Bad: After 10 years it was just time, I was spending most of my days and nights in SL. I'd get up in the mornings make posters , make sure everyone was posted in events correctly, post the current day's roster, and individual posters, share the posters to all the groups on FB and inworld, then host shows till late at night then do it all over again. I had some people help me host shows when I had shows at the same time or just needed a breather.
As far as regrets, I do miss it, I love helping people , I love music and having fun but my real life got busy and sometimes I think, if I could just manage a few artists... lol then I think, nah, I'm enjoying my free time now and not being stuck at my computer all day.
Harlow: You have a few bromances going on, the love often evident in FB posts. How important is friendship amongst men to you?
Bad: It's just my personality, I like making people laugh whether male or female.
Harlow: You are more often than not seen out and about in Sl shirtless. Is life so bad now that you have stopped Bad Management that you cant afford to buy new clothes or are you just not a fan of laundry?.
Bad: LOL, I never liked shirts. it started way back when clothes wouldn't fit right. especially shirts. so it was just easier to go shirtless, BUT, I do change clothes. and I do get dressed up when its appropriate.
Harlow: I am a sucker for SL true love stories and you have one in your partner Maribeth. How did you meet and what makes her stick around with you...kidding!!
Bad: I'd met MariBeth way back when I worked for Spiritfire, she and her best friend Meridith used to come to a few shows I was hosting. I always thought she was out of my league, but turns out, she was my soulmate. We've been together off and on (but mostly on) for almost 8 years now. I have no clue how she puts up with me at times lol.
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Harlow: What is it about the live music scene in Sl that you admire the most and are there things that you would like to see changed?
Bad: I love how everyone comes together for a cause, nothing better than being able to help someone as a community.
Harlow: I asked this question in a previous interview and I loved the answers...If you could sit down at the dinner table with 3 RL artists, dead or alive who would they be and why?
Bad: I never gave any thought to this, I've never idolized an artist, they are just like us only their thing is being able to play instrument or use their voice whereas other people have their thing, whether it's mechanics, education, sports, etc.
Harlow: Following on from that, if you could sit at the dinner table with 3 SL artists who would they be and why?
Bad: I'd definitley want to sit with Savannah Rain, Camme Carver (CC), and Aaron Cabott Jones just because they are really down to earth and fun to be around. I know they were all my performers, and I'm probably biased, so someone I'd like to sit down with that wasn't one of my performers would be Agatha Nowles for the same reasons above.
Harlow: What are some of the strengths and weaknesses in your opinion in the SL live music scene?
Bad: The strength is when it comes together as a community for a common purpose. The weakness would be that they (performers/artists) don't support each other. Back when I was with Spiritfire, a lot of artists were at each other shows, not so much anymore.
Harlow: What advice would you offer to people starting out?
Bad: RUNNNN lol, no just kidding. My advice would be to keep learning new songs, because, if you want someone to come to your shows 3 to 4 times a week, they want to hear something new not the same songs over and over. I would also advise them to always engage with your audience. People love to be a part of the show.
Harlow: What is it that you are passionate about as a person, not just in SL
Bad: I'm passionate about my family. I raised two daughters on my own and they mean the world to me.
Harlow: If you could change anything about your SL past and present would you or do you think that its all been a journey to get you to where you now are?
Bad: I don't think there's anything I would change, I believe that everything happens for a reason and brings us to the place where we are meant to be.
Harlow: You have recently become a grandfather...congratulations,. What is it like having a new life to love and what was it like to see and hold her for the first time?
Bad: There is only one word to describe it: Awesome! There are times when I still can't quite believe that I'm a grandpa.