Images provided by ~ Bundy Xue
The Music Never Stops
For nearly two decades, Maximillion Kleene has been a familiar name across Second Life’s live music scene. With multiple performances every day, an incredible catalog of songs, and a loyal audience that continues to grow, he’s become one of the community’s most recognizable entertainers. But behind every show is a musician whose journey began long before virtual worlds existed.
From playing in real-life bands around Niagara Falls to carrying the Olympic Torch and eventually finding an entirely new stage inside Second Life, Maximillion’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a genuine love for sharing music. We sat down with him to talk about where it all began, what keeps him performing after all these years, and why every show still feels special.
Background & Real Life
You perform live in Second Life from Niagara Falls—how did your real-life music journey begin?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I played in bands in the region in my 20’s and 30’s.”
Every musician has a starting point, and for Maximillion, it was years of performing with live bands before virtual stages were even an option. That experience still shines through in every performance today.
What came first for you: performing live music, or discovering virtual worlds like Second Life?
Maximillion Kleene:
“Performing with live bands.”
That foundation is part of what gives his performances such a natural, comfortable feel. Second Life may have introduced him to a new audience, but music had already been part of his life for years.
There’s a rumor you carried the Olympic Torch—true story or SL legend that got out of hand?
Maximillion Kleene:
“It’s true, I ran with the Olympic Torch for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.”
It’s one of those stories that sounds almost too incredible to be true—but in Maximillion’s case, it’s a genuine piece of personal history that few performers can claim.
Finding a Home in Second Life
What pulled you into performing in Second Life instead of sticking strictly to real-world stages?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I saw an article about Second Life in Rolling Stone Magazine’s Aug 2006 issue.”
Sometimes a single article can change the direction of your life. What began as curiosity eventually became one of the longest-running live music careers in Second Life.
You perform 7 days a week, multiple sets a day, for years now—how do you sustain that level of energy and consistency?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I simply enjoy music, singing, playing, sharing songs we love and the listeners/friends who listen, engage and have fun, relaxing, grooving to songs. It’s that whole ‘thing’ we share when it comes to making and listening to music for that moment. That’s what keeps me going.”
That answer says everything about why audiences continue to return. For Maximillion, performing isn’t just about playing music—it’s about creating an experience that performer and audience enjoy together.
How would you describe your performance style to someone who’s never seen you live?
Maximillion Kleene:
“Live Acoustic Rock and Pop favourites, hits and”
Even in just a few words, it’s clear what audiences can expect—well-loved songs delivered in an acoustic style that invites listeners to sing along and become part of the experience.
You’re known for having a massive repertoire—how do you decide what makes it into a set?
Maximillion Kleene:
“It’s always varied from just picking song to song, going with a flow of how the show feels, how the listeners feel… to themes, moods, 3 play of certain artist, to sometimes coming up with a setlist that is a fun ride of tunes in different styles.”
That flexibility is one of the reasons no two Maximillion shows feel exactly alike. Rather than following a rigid formula, he lets each audience help shape the direction of the performance.
Performance & Audience
You do multiple sets a day, and no two feel the same—even back-to-back. How do you shape the vibe of each set in the moment?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I almost never make a setlist… I try and pick songs as we go depending on the mood.”
It’s an approach that keeps every performance fresh—not only for the audience, but for Maximillion himself.
Your shows can get highly interactive (especially Pink Pony Club)—how important is audience participation to your experience?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I enjoy audience participation. Knowing that listeners are into it and enjoying helps with performing.”
For many performers, audience energy fuels the show. In Second Life, that enthusiasm comes through local chat, reactions, requests, and conversations that make every performance feel personal.
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What’s one moment during a live SL performance that completely caught you off guard but turned into something unforgettable?
Maximillion Kleene:
“One time Phillip Linden showed up to a show. He let us know that they were playing the stream in the offices.”
Moments like that remind performers just how far their music can reach. It’s not every day you discover your show is being enjoyed inside Linden Lab itself.
You connect with your audience constantly—does an SL crowd feel different from a real-life crowd, or is that connection universal for you?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I enjoy the text during songs, it’s nice to see and know they’re having fun.”
Virtual performances may replace applause with text chat, but the connection is every bit as real.
After all this time performing, what still gives you that adrenaline rush right before you go live?
Maximillion Kleene:
“It’s that thing of ‘being in the songs.'”
Even after years of performing, the music itself continues to be what draws him in.
Do you ever feed off specific people in the crowd during a set?
Maximillion Kleene:
“Yes, my friends. People that have made requests.”
Regular listeners become part of the experience, helping shape the atmosphere that has kept audiences coming back for years.
Music & Influences
You have a unique way of making any song your own—does that come naturally, or is it something you consciously develop as you learn a song?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I always try a capture all the elements of the song that i really enjoy, like a groove, a beat, or certain melodies.”
Rather than simply covering a song, Maximillion looks for the elements that resonate with him most and brings those to the forefront during his performances.
Which artists or genres have influenced your sound the most?
Maximillion Kleene:
“Jason Mraz, The Barenaked Ladies, The Beatles, Ed Sheeran, Pearl Jam, Train, The FOO Fighters, Sam Roberts.”
It’s a diverse lineup of influences, reflecting the broad musical range audiences hear throughout his shows.
What’s the one song that always hits a little more personal when you perform it?
Maximillion Kleene:
“I have an attachment to Vincent Starry Night by Don MacLean, Everlong by The FOO Fighters, Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours.”
Some songs simply stay with us throughout our lives, and these are clearly among the performances that hold special meaning for Maximillion.
I’ve heard you have at least one original song you rarely perform—what’s the story behind that?
Maximillion Kleene:
“Never Despair is the name of the song. A friend gave me a flower and called it Never Despair.”
It’s a reminder that inspiration often comes from life’s simplest moments, eventually finding its way into original music.
You’ve collaborated with a huge number of SL performers—what makes a collaboration really work in a virtual setting?
Maximillion Kleene:
“We don’t actually play together.. we play in RELAY and it’s still fun even though it’s not totally live.”
Technology may introduce limitations, but it also creates opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Those collaborations remain a favorite part of Second Life’s live music community.
Personal & Fun
If you could design your perfect Second Life show—no limits, any setting—what does it look like?
Maximillion Kleene:
“A Party barge floating down a river through different sims, the scenery changing as the hour goes, That would be fun.”
Only in Second Life could a dream concert literally travel through multiple regions while the scenery transforms around the audience. It’s exactly the kind of creative idea that captures the limitless possibilities of virtual entertainment.
Closing Thoughts
For Maximillion Kleene, music has always been about more than simply performing songs. Whether he was playing with bands in Niagara Falls, carrying the Olympic Torch through his hometown, or entertaining audiences across Second Life, one theme runs through every chapter of his journey: creating moments that people remember.
Thousands of performances later, his enthusiasm hasn’t faded. Every audience is different, every show takes on its own personality, and every performance offers another opportunity to share the music he loves with friends both old and new. In a virtual world filled with talented musicians, Maximillion continues to prove that genuine passion and authentic connection never go out of style.
Schedule…https://tinyurl.com/4ab7n48x
Songlist… https://tinyurl.com/37htvcnr
LIVE Youtube Channel… http://youtube.com/@MaxKEd
LIVE TWITCH Channel… http://twitch.tv/maxKEd11
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