Original Busking - A window into the reality of singing on the street - Kieran Le Cam
136
Published 2024-03-03
So I kept this video barely edited, chopped the beginning a bit, but you see the issues a busker can have, the wind, and the amp ringing with weird feedback, cause it's not perfectly placed.
On top of it, I perform original songs. Most buskers, street performers do so for the money, so they play covers. Most people only stop for covers. I won't lie, I personally don't get it. I've heard hallelujah so many times, I really don't want to hear it again, unless it's an extraordinary rendition. But for some reason people drop a coin if you do. I think this cycle is really unhealthy for an original artist. You get stuck doing what you hate, instead of chasing your dreams. But it makes money. I don't need the money from busking anymore, so I just go out and sing my actual heart out. I was once told by another busker that everyone puts up a front when they're busking, and even when I busked for money, and so played covers, I never did that. I have things to say, and I have no time to waste being what other people expect me to be. And if no one tells the truth, and speaks up, who will other than you? At what point will we start expressing our actual needs and desires, instead of tend towards the norm all the time? If you're upset at people for passing you by without giving you a chance, make a joke about it, challenge them! They need to know they're ignoring you, and that they could do better next time, with the next busker after they've gotten over their little inner tantrum at having been called out. Honesty is part of life, as long as you have love in your heart when you say what you say. This is the reality of my busking. Challenging. Honesty. Plagued with the desires of the mass that you hope will appreciate you enough. It is the truth.
I played four songs:
0:32 Facing The Sun
5:31 One Foot In Front Of The Other
10:26 Stupid Planet
15:36 My Only Sad Song
20:44 Bonus tune
I'd never have written these if I didn't let my dreams live inside me, and go against money making. Not done covers. Insisted on being who I am. It comes with its own struggles. Aren't you tired of doing "what works"? If you hate it? Just do you. We need more of that. That's the one thing I learned about busking. Successful buskers... all care only about money. They do not believe in the power of music. I doubt they understand it. I wonder if they will realize one day. Or if it will never matter to them. Money money money right?
Much Love. Find balance. No speech without love. No honesty without humor. No money making without a purpose for it. Ya dicks. Be yourselves.
Help me change the world!
If you want to help build a community, help me on PATREON: www.patreon.com/KieranLeCam?ty=h
If you want to offer a ONE TIME helping hand, donate at: revolut.me/kieranlecam
Follow me on social media!
ALL MY LINKS (MUSIC AND COMMENTARY): linktr.ee/kieranlecam
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/kieranlecam/
LYRICS:
I'll post only the lyrics to Stupid Planet as I don't have enough room for all of them! I may put the rest in a pinned comment.
STUPID PLANET:
I had a dream
I couldn't sing
Are they too dumb to know
What they’re hearing?
Don’t let them speak
It goes in circles
Don't let them vote
I will be king
What are the odds
That I could be
Touched by the Gods
I'm
On
A
Stupid Planet
Ooh ohh
It's a Stupid Planet
I'm not relatable
Cause I don't fuck
I'm unemotional
Cause I can't love
I hate what's on
The radio
It talks about
What I don't know
What are the chances
Of new romances
On this Earth
I'm
On
A
Stupid Planet
Ooh ooh
They're a Stupid Planet
You've been down this road before
And you knock on every door
It's too bad I can’t ignore
This Stupid Planet
I'm
On
A
Stupid Planet
Ooh ohh
It's a Stupid Planet
Ooh ooh
You're a Stupid Planet
All Comments (3)
-
A few typos in there but you get my point. Buskers are marketing themselves. People like music but they have the radio and streaming for that. The busker has to figure out how he/she can add value to a few minutes of a pedestrian's life. Songs they know and have an emotional attachment to is one way and making as pleasing a presentation as you can is another. Once you get them stopping, then add in thought provoking originals when they are receptive to consider the message and prompt a response to them by people who have time and are in a mood to discuss.
-
You cut off your YouTube audience after only 21 minutes? What did we do wrong?🤔😇😎 A few thoughts about pedestrians. Car traffic was cut off for them, the street belongs to them and they don't need a license to use the street, buskers do. Public policy encourages people to walk on the street and each step taken supports the environment, air quality and so on. If a pedestrian walks past a busker but lingers to admire an item in a shop window a few doors down, that's just as positive as walking past the shop windows but stopping to listen to music. It's the beauty of a free society. Other buskers who sing covers can reach a plane of connection with fans that can be equally positive as when a fan listens to an original and has an "aha" moment from a lyric. As an example, Jacob posted a cover of "Imagine" today. While listening I immediately remembered when the song was released in 1971, my good friend Frank, who was both a huge Beatles fan and a strong anti (Vietnam) war activist was over the moon with joy. I could see his youthful face in front of me as I listened and smiled. So originals can reach people but covers can touch their hearts also. It's all good! Keep up the quality work.
