Winter Is For Lovers

This bit of snow graffiti suggests a fine title for a love song, but the weather militates against getting out there and playing.

Since most street instruments – string, wind, percussion, key – demand dextrous finger-play, winter weather presents a serious challenge to the busker. Perhaps it’s best to abandon the streets to the carollers who are about to descend.

I’m busy drawing up a quote to provide street music at a Shropshire garden event next summer. Ah a warm garden in August, the sounds of the birds, the bees and the blues.  

Christmas on the streets

Street musicians  in Germany, photographed by Roger Rossing in 1948 (and borrowed from Wikipedia's admirable entry on the art). In times of trouble and strife musicians tend to pick up their instruments and take to the streets. Is that why Christmas brings more music into the public arena? Or are we just out to share a bit of Santa-style bonhommie?

Keep it simple

How much kit do you need to busk? The more you have, the more there is to forget. I’ve had to abandon play after forgetting my iPod with backing track. Another time I played on for an hour after leaving the neck strap at home. Gave me a sore shoulder for three months.

So I have huge respect for the one-man or one-woman bands.

The Juste Pour Rire Orchestra in Montreal resolve the problem by piling it all on board an old Citroen H Van. Thanks for the link, Krushke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvpkBNPnXXE&feature=em-share_video_user

 

Chanteurs de Rue

Great to hear so much live street music during Flavours of Herefordshire.
For anyone with Total Commitment to busking it's time to head off to Australia (Busking By the Bay,  Redland Bay), New Zealand (Big Busker Fest in Christchurch this January) or France (Chanteurs de Rue, Quintin).Anyone try Cambridge's street music festial this year? No, me neither - they cancelled it. Shame.

For a  full list try www.buskercentral.com/calendar.php

Flavours of Herefordshire

It's bright and clear and the Flavours of Herefordshire fest has taken to the city streets. The Festival's Liz Hill emails to remind me this is their 7th event and that they're out to showcase all the county talent . . . including those of its street musicians.
I'm already warming up my keys (right) and may even have a little practise in the ASDA underpass, a bit of a glue-sniffers' venue, but blessed with great accoustics.

Flavours of Herefordshire Festival

I know, I know, doing a half hour (half hour! What can you earn in that time?) spot at a county food festival is hardly the cutting edge of street music, but needs must. October 27 and 28 is Herefordshire's version of a food fest, centered round the cathedral, with street musicians in attendance.
Flavours of Herefordshire comes about ten years after everyone else jumped on the foodie band wagon (they should see what Ludlow does!),  but better late than never.
I'll be racing back from West Wales, sax in hand, for a stint in the Cathedral Garden. (3.00 p.m. don't be late) on the Saturday. And Karlin and I will attempt a duo street act the following day, Sunday, around 1.00. We may bill ourselves as Dubious Morality (which has a certain ring to it). Or not.