Brothers Who Sing Together Stick Together

Josef and Jan Prasil

Amistat are a German duo consisting of twin brothers named Jan and Josef Prasil.

These super talented twins can sing, play guitar and play piano and together Jan and Josef have been busking for the past four years on the streets of Melbourne while also traveling around the world. Jan has been using his musical gifts for around 14 years while Josef started playing a few years later. 

The pair grew up in Germany but found that busking there was not as nice as it is here in Australia. In Germany they have laws similar to here, where buskers need to get a permit to perform but in Germany the general public find busking to be a nuisance and buskers are frowned upon by business owners. The attitude towards busking in Germany is clearly different to the kind of attitude that the majority of people in Australia have, where it is welcomed and adored by many.

It was because of this they chose to make the massive move to Australia and partake in the great busking culture that we have here. This decision was not made lightly but has benefited their music greatly as they are now able to play to hundreds of people each day on Bourke Street.

“Back home, it’s not like it is here, you don’t see it that much, but its great here.” 

Jan believes that the competition out on the streets is growing and that busking is becoming more popular.

“I cannot say where busking is heading because I do not know. But we will continue coming out here.”

Regardless of busking’s future Amistat will continue performing in hopes of spreading their music as it’s a good way to be noticed. Unfortunately, as you could expect, they’ve had their fair share of weirdos that can cause trouble, but they say that their experience has been mostly great and that they want to continue busking.

“Sometimes strange things can happen, and you know sometimes things can be a bit dangerous but it’s not all bad. We wouldn’t have it any other way haha.”

Amistat performs all their own original songs and are currently selling their EP 'Somewhere Sometime' which features all their own music. They are also using Crowdfunding Pozible to try and raise money so they can record and release their first full-length album, which they are very excited about.

Busking must be working well for them because this duo is on the steady incline and are traveling the world, having recently returned from performing overseas in Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland with new material you can expect great things from these guys!

See more on our Facebook page where you can find these two brothers, a whole bunch of behind the scenes photos, and heaps more!

Feedback is also always welcome so please leave a comment below telling us what you think, what you'd like to see more of and of any great buskers you'd like to see on here.

Written by Kimberly Grima

Edited by Katherine Allen

Photography by Kate Katrina