computer busking, wot you think???

[edu2eccg]

hello, i'm a student in music technology and we are currently doing a project on the impacts of digital technology in the Leeds area. we have decided to do our bit about busking, and are attempting to gage the publics reactions to electronic busking, i.e with a laptop, speakers, etc... i would be very grateful if anybody has any opinions to offer as to how they feel about this. i'm aware that if this sort of thing became common, it would ikely be a contensious issue. how would the regular guitar busker make themselves heard over the funk glitch house beats of the computer busker just down the road? is it inherently wrong for busking to involve very expensive flashy technology? well, i dunno? wot do you think? sorry for raising such a controversial and fascinating topic. i would really appreciate some feedback, please, thanks for reading

[Daniel Craig]

Using electronics in outdoor shows is now practically a given-- There are some places where you can't, and we always adjust, but for the most part... I'd say to do the big shows, and musicians do just as big shows with amps and boards, etc...

I'd say it looks good. People pay for quality, and that's reflected in the equipment you use.

[edu2eccg]

i was thinking more in terms of the fact that they are computer generated beats. you can make alot more and a lot nastier noises with this software than live performances. plus all the music comes out sounding electronicy, and in my opinion less accesable to your average middle of the road bloggs buisnessman.
a) is it a winner?
b) would it bother you if it took off and everyone started doing it?
thanks for reading

[gav]

I've used some high tech sample gear and triggers in a show in the past, and I found that unless you really explain and convince the audience that you are actually the one making these machines create music, then they just think your playing a cd whilst pressing a few buttons.
It's all in the presentation I guess.
I don't think it's about to revolutionise the world of busking, so no worries there.
You'd have to choose the right place and time for that kind of music too. I would suggest around the night club areas of cities late at night, when all the youngin have popped their party pills and are very happy to part with their money for a few blips beats n bleeps.

[edu2eccg]

cheers gav, yeah i'd agree with that for sure. in fact, in our test run the laptop ran out of battery and we had to just play beats from an mp3 and pretend. just seems like your trying to get on peoples nerves with overly loud and offensive music. wow, you lot are an open minded bunch. i was half expecting some kinda traditional buskers lynch mob damning the idea of cables and sockets, to be honest, it wou;ld be more useful for my project if you were, i should stop being so closed minded, thanks again

[gav]

most of us aren't musos, and rely heavily on mp3 players, ipods, remoye controls, wireless microphones, and portable sound
systems. I also know a few acts who use vocal effects and loop stations. You'll aslo find jugglers that use samplers and trigger modules to play tunes when bounce juggling balls.
I personaly would love to see a one man band that is all elctronic intruments. It's about time we have a modern twist on these things.
If it helps at all, I could compile a list of music buskers that use a lot of technology

[scot]

I've seen djs in the subway of New York City. They do fine and it's nice to here that music in amongst the grafitti, rats and bums. It feels like I'm really in New York.

[malkav powermann]

i feel you should create it live in a way that every one can tell it is live

sure use a base beet and make sounds on top but if you create it all at home and stand next to your are it makes it a lot less personal for onlookers {crowd or passers}

[Mr Qwirk]

I saw someone mixing/making music with a laptop (on the street) about 5 years ago in San Francisco. ive also seen a duo down on circular quay using a laptop and dijeridoo toether.

[edu2eccg]

thanks alot everyone, really appreciate the comments and feedback. gav, sorry i'm late in replying but that would be possibly the most useful thing i can think of for this project. i would really like that. if you cant be bothered is it possible to let me know the whereabouts of resources to compile such a list.
thanks a lot

[Peter Voice]

Hey Guys, remember?

It's about the show, not the tools, props or volume.

[jayrodin]

Saw someone mentioned something about an electronic one man band. I used to do that. Drum triggers, electric guitar, synths, vocodors, keyboards, along with some acoustic stuff. It was a hassle, big hassle. It was alot easier to just go out with my acoustic set up. The accoustic thing was very loud, and I have a very loud voice, and we could be heard from very very far away and I wouldn't get any trouble from the cops but having the amps at the same volume or even a lesser volume I'd get busted. Plus there is the battery issue, cords, power, to much of a hassle. I make more money with the accoustic set as well. You can do some kool stuff with electronics but street performing is about the charm not the gear. Acoustic is just better in my situation.