Category: busking

busking, music, street life

Rain stops play!

louisehartcom

An interesting day in town today busking. There were lots of buskers out which is weird as Saturday and Sunday there was hardly anyone. Anyway, the buskers at Russell and Bromley and The Face were having a ‘who has the loudest amp’ competition…. look if one turns up to 11 so does everyone else and it’s just a big ear-splitting mush. Just Stop!

Anyway, I set up after my husband and decided to give it a go. Kept to my usual volume but the quiet, gentle songs I usually start with were no good on a day like today, so straight in with the upbeat stuff, the low songs were transposed up a tone (hurrah for the capo!) and the Christmas songs (I only have 3) came out for an airing. I had 3 year olds dancing with old men, people singing along quietly to themselves as they passed by, people crossing the street to listen, kids waving at me from passing buses, ladies complimenting my skirt (gets more attention that me somedays!) and lots of serendipitous connections between strangers.

That’s what busking is about, that’s why I love it. And then it rained, and did it rain but I was in the middle of ‘I will survive’ and it seemed rude to stop mid song. By the end I had the taste of hairspray and stinging eyes but no Alice Cooper eye – Hurrah for waterproof make up. So I packed up and came home, still smiling from ear to ear. I love what I do!

busking, street life

Busking is being criminalised.

louisehartcom

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea use a PSPO (Public Space Protection Order) to prohibit busking in much of their borough. In doing so they have criminalised busking with fines of up to £1000. They’re seeking to extend the areas it covers. Once a PSPO is in place you have just 6 weeks to launch an appeal and it gets renewed every 3 years without any further consultation.

Their initial consultation for the PSPO was based on 413 responses to an online survey – that’s less than 0.2% of the population of the Borough. They made no attempt to consult with the wider public e.g. the people who listen to and enjoy the performers, nor the performers themselves.

If you like listening to street music, please make your thoughts known.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/environment/environmental-health/noise-and-nuisance/busking-consultations?fbclid=IwAR0K61OOTHGgKZCWn7d6whMq02v9E_BKgUKGFb_6D7Vg8CR4nONFpe3Q1rM

busking, guitar, learning, music, street life

Don’t wait ’til you’re ready

louisehartcom

Ive been busking today in the glorious sunshine. I’ve been out a few times since the shops opened it’s still a bit quiet but the overall response has been positive. Locals have been coming up and saying it’s nice to hear ne again so that’s encouraging.

I’ve tried out my lockdown arrangements. I’m enjoying playing Death on Two Legs, Only You and 9-5.. Famous Last Words is in the wrong key for the High st as the lower vocals get lost in the general rumblings and noise of the street so I’ll have to revisit that one… not giving up on it yet. The Pretender, I’ve done once or twice but I’m not that comfortable yet and I’ve not yet played Rio on the street.

Then, at the end of lockdown I thought I’d have a go at The Greatest Show. It’s such a big song so I didn’t take it very seriously, just fiddled around with it. Then it started taking shape and I decided this week I’d go for it. I sang it today for the first time. It was a bit ragged if I’m honest, there’s a lot of words and the energy of the song just drags you along but I did it and I loved playing it.

The thing is, I never feel ready to play a new song , it’s always a leap of faith. Sometimes it works , sometimes not so much… I’m pleased with how today went.

So anyway I’m back home having a cup of tea… mmmmmm tea….

busking, guitar, music, Uncategorized

The weekend we should’ve been at Glastonbury

louisehartcom

Well this weekend we hoped to be playing at Glastonbury at Crooners Corner. That was before lockdown. So here are some clips of me, standing on the tail lift of our converted truck, singing some of the songs I would have sung….

Fingers crossed for next year and hoping there still is a ‘Creative industry’ following lockdown….. 😘

busking, learning, music, WIP

Work in progress – Famous Last Words

louisehartcom

I’ve got to be honest, when ever I take on a version of a song like this, Doris from Gavin and Stacey comes to mind singing Girlfriend in a coma…🤣😂. I wonder if I’ll play this on the street, if we ever get to play on the street again!

I think I’ll enjoy performing it., even if I do look like some old lady singing with a guitar!

So anyway, this is my work in progress, recorded flat in our horse truck.