Whilst I was in Memphis I became a reporter for The Daily Helmsman newspaper for one semester. The University print newspaper had daily editions in both digital and print formats distributed across the city.
The Daily Helmsman
The Daily Helmsman
Busking: The hidden talents revitalising music
By Luke Chapman
Whether you’re a builder, postman, promotor or just going to the shops, there aren’t many people who enjoy walking around whilst its tipping it down with rain. But if you do decide to venture outside , you will more than likely encounter one dedicated soul with his guitar strenuously ruining an Amy Winehouse song, and its kinda nice. Music may not be everyones bag, but it does bring a smile to a lot of peoples faces. I’ve previously covered music’s impacts on our emotions, and statistically you are more likely to encounter music in an event you aren’t specifically trying too, and 55% of these times, it will alter your emotions in some way. Are buskers the community’s secret heroes bringing joy to our faces? They are harmless, some of them are out for money, but rarely do I personally feel pressured to give them some, only if I want too, and this is the kicker, its free music in a world where nothing is free. Free music, free joy and free smiles. Thats the power that buskers can have.
The unrivalled dedication of the woman with a small speaker is heart warming, and its increasingly becoming one way to either self promote, or even get noticed. Back in the day buskers were just playing songs for a couple of quid, it hardly makes millions and most are there purely because they enjoy it, or want to help others smile. In this Brexit ridden world, there isn’t enough people out there that are willing to do that. However, more recently we’re seeing people with banners, placards, or even cardboard signs with social media tags and CD cases. This approach can be quite clever, see someone you like on the street, remember their name, follow them on social media, if you achieve this a few days a week you could easily be racking up hundreds of followers. Not only this, but it publicises your music to hundreds of passers by, and is considerably easier then getting a play on the radio. Its the new version of posting mix tapes, and its working. Most people are probably disinterested in your music, but considering the footfall on your city’s high street, you’re exposing yourself to A LOT of people, and for a musician, this process really is becoming harder by the day in this homogenised market.
“There may be 100 people in a room, and it only takes one of them to believe in you”. The meme and quote we’ve all heard Gaga blasting out over the past few months in relation to “A star is born”, but it also applies here. Imagine you’re busking on Oxford street in London, thousands of people, most couldn’t give a flying fuck about you singing your original music they’ve never heard of, but then one person with the right job is attracted to your talents. This can seem like a dream situation and highly unlikely, but it really can happen, and you never know what can happen from there. The music industry is nigh on impossible nowadays, with social media creating and eradicating barriers on the reg, could these secret geniuses on the streets be doing better then most people realise.
When you next see a 16 year old guy on the street with his guitar, take note of his dedication, hard work and determination. They’re probably earning pittance, but are spending hours and hours just trying to achieve something. Personally I admire them all and think we should be thanking them.
Previous article
Blog Home
Next article
Walking up the high street in Canterbury you are inundated with buskers all over the place, young, old, talented and shit, they’re all there. This is generally the same in cities all over the world, even if you’re crossing from the Piccadilly to Victoria lines, you’re bound to come across someone playing Celine Dion on the panpipes. Little do we realise the extent to which buskers can change your day, and how they’re giving life back to music, and in some sense, taking a new stance in approaching the industry.