26/02/2009 / WORLD
Dub FX in Bristol. Image posted on Flickr by "Swishrelic".
I started playing on the street to support myself back in 1999, mostly out of necessity. As an unknown, and still relatively new to making music, the first few years were difficult, even with making good money in the summer. Now, after 10 years and busking in about 20 countries, I'm ready to graduate to more paid gigs and hopefully making music for films. I think that being successful on the street definitely entails a set of skills that is not normal for stage musicians.
Buskers find fame online
From the Bristol "beatboxer" to the Indian percussionist family, here's our selection of the best buskers from around the world, now available off the streets and online...
The explosion of video-sharing websites and blogs has propelled some street musicians to stardom on the internet. Thanks to short videos filmed on mobiles and cameras by passers-by, some buskers have even been invited to perform at concerts and to make records. Street artists explain, however, that while fame is now a possibility, street performing remains an underground discipline that provides a unique interaction with people.
"I’m recording a studio album"
Dub FX is a British "beatboxer" and busker who has
performed in the streets all over Europe for
nearly three years.
I always loved street performers growing up and wanted
to be one. In 2006, I started travelling through Europe
and busking along the way to gain experience and make money. During the trip I
realised that the crowds were much more impressed by what I did with my loopstation (a device which allows
you to sample and overlay elements) than with my guitar on backing tracks.
Since then I've tried to emulate styles of music as best as I can, using my
mouth, an effects pedal and the loopstation. At the moment I live in Bristol and I'm recording
a studio album which should be ready in April. I still busk in the street, you
could say it's my 9 to 5."
I always loved street performers growing up and wanted
to be one. In 2006, I started travelling through Europe
and busking along the way to gain experience and make money. During the trip I
realised that the crowds were much more impressed by what I did with my loopstation (a device which allows
you to sample and overlay elements) than with my guitar on backing tracks.
Since then I've tried to emulate styles of music as best as I can, using my
mouth, an effects pedal and the loopstation. At the moment I live in Bristol and I'm recording
a studio album which should be ready in April. I still busk in the street, you
could say it's my 9 to 5."
Video posted by "dowdenboy".
"You can make $100 to $300 an hour"
"Christopher of the Wolves" is an American street performer who plays what he calls "acoustic trance - a hypnotic blend of instruments from several countries played simultaneously".
I started playing on the street to support myself back in 1999, mostly out of necessity. As an unknown, and still relatively new to making music, the first few years were difficult, even with making good money in the summer. Now, after 10 years and busking in about 20 countries, I'm ready to graduate to more paid gigs and hopefully making music for films. I think that being successful on the street definitely entails a set of skills that is not normal for stage musicians. A heckler at a concert has to be pretty determined to get to me. Over the years on the street I've been spat at, had things thrown at me, threatened with bodily harm, sworn at up close etc. Nonetheless, I've met many interesting and very kind people and had some of the best times of my life. Besides, if you have something unique to offer, and you work hard, you can make from $100 to $300 [€80 - €200] an hour including CD sales."
Video posted by "staceybocie".
Barcelona: ... and a strange instrument
Posted by"memikeg".
Beijing: the Chinese Web's favourite
Posted by "chinaSMACK".
Washington DC: "awesome" street drummer
Posted by "bucketbeats".
London: guitar played like a piano
Posted by "LuLLoMo".
India: a family affair
Posted by "pkastan".
Beethoven by wine glass
Posted by "adamrcath".
»
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Comments
Great collection of buskers
Submitted by Michelle (not verified) on Fri, 27/02/2009 - 22:03.Great collection of buskers videos! I would add the 'Saw Lady' - famous busker in New York city. She keeps a blog of what happens when she plays in the subway: http://www.sawlady.com/blog
Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjBRR4esvzY
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