Demi God

Buskers - What do we really know about them? What are their stories?
Our team hit the streets of Melbourne to talk to those who fill them with music. We hope to find out what it means to be a busker in one of the world's most competitive cities.

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Demi Louise

Demi Louise started busking two years ago, she began playing her music in Melbourne but then had the exciting opportunity to go to Europe and busk, playing her music to people in small taverns and various venues. Demi has also traveled to South Korea and the USA to perform her music.

“I’ve been lucky that I have been able to support myself and travel and I just feel really lucky.”

She has been playing her guitar and singing for more than four years and has also now begun song writing. Demi recently wrote the song ‘Rivers Run To Red’ which was released by German ‘The Voice’ winner Charley Ann on her debut album.

With a background degree in science, Demi had hit a fork in the road and was deciding whether to continue and study a Masters in Physiology or pursue her life long passion of being a musician. In the end she decided to defer her masters and continued on her musical career at least for now.

“I don’t think busking will ever get old, I think for me busking is better than performing at a live show, sometimes people make such a big deal about playing to numbers and people and they look down on busking in a way. It’s those seeds of familiarity that you plant in people and I think it’s great for that”

The future is looking bright for Demi Louise who has written a few of her own songs such as “How We Do” and “Sweet Kind”. Demi says she is very happy with where she is at the moment in her life. “I have a Bachelor back up if it’s not for me, it’s not a hard decision to just do it.”

You can find Demi Louise on her very own website or on her Facebook page. If you want to see Demi performing in person you can always head down to Bourke Street or check her social media to see where she's next playing. And if you want to  receive updates or see unreleased photos and other behind the scene action check out our Facebook page.

Written by Katherine Allen

Edited by Kimberly Grima
Photography by Kate Katrina

Bourke Street Boys

Buskers - What do we really know about them? What are their stories?
Our team hit the streets of Melbourne to talk to those who fill them with music. We hope to find out what it means to be a busker in one of the world's most competitive cities.

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Robbie Elliott, James Howlett, and Max Missingham

The band The Elliots have been together for around five years now. They started busking after deciding that they were sick of rehearsing at various locations where they would earn little to no money. They realised if they practiced out on the street they would be given money creating a win-win situation for all; this is how it started for them, they have now been playing on Burke Street for six months.

They discovered that Bourke Street in Melbourne was the “Crown jewel” of busking, classing it as one of the best, if not the best, in the world. It is here where meetings held every week to keep all the buskers organized which is run by the council.

All buskers have to comply with a roster, playing for 4 hours each session with half an hour on than half an hour off. There are never more than four acts at once on Burke Street though The Elliotts tend to try and stick to their favourite spot. The Elliotts have played on Bourke Street with the likes of the Pierce brothers and Demi Louise.

The money the band accumulates from busking goes towards funding their travels to places overseas such as Europe so they can promote their music to others, they do this hoping people will enjoy what they hear and the band can get their names out there.

“It’s much better playing on the street as a lot of venues I think are exploiting and I guess you can’t really get the exposure and that’s why we love coming out here” Says Robbie.

“You might go to a venue and pay $10 to get in and then you might not even like the bands”. The Elliot’s play for the people on the street and say that from experience patrons will generally have no expectations “if they really like what they hear then the people will buy a CD.”

The band feels that busking is the ultimate way to put your music out there “It’s much better practice then in the lounge room”.

When asked about the future of busking, Robbie says he feels that it “really rests with the generosity of the people”. He likes to think the future for busking is bright, but is aware that a lot of businesses are making it difficult for individuals, even remarking that a lot of places in Europe have made busking extinct. The music flows within them and is a part of their lives, as musicians he says "it’s really sad as people should have an appreciation for the music out there."

“The future is hopefully solid and this is one of the best spots in Australia, there is more competition, if you are good it’s easy to stand out.”

For more information on The Elliot’s, please check out their Instagram and Facebook.

To receive updates or see unreleased photos and other behind the scene action check out our Facebook page! And as always leave a comment telling us what you think, we'd love to hear what you think of our site!

Written by Katherine Allen

Edited by Kimberly Grima
Photography by Kate Katrina

Swanson Street Sweet-Harp

Buskers - What do we really know about them? What are their stories?
Our team hit the streets of Melbourne to talk to those who fill them with music. We hope to find out what it means to be a busker in one of the world's most competitive cities.

*       *      *

Amadou Suso

Amadou is 28 year old and was born in Africa, he's been playing the kora for 22 years since he was six years old. The kora is the instrument that he plays and it is quite special as it has been in his family for generations and is passed down from father to son.

Amadou traveled to Melbourne approximately six months ago, but has been to Australia before. He has travelled the world playing at various festivals in many different countries. Amadou’s reasoning for busking on the streets in Melbourne is quite different from what you would think, it’s not about earning money, that’s a bonus, it’s because he finds being at home distracting so instead he comes to practice out on the street. On the streets is where the atmosphere and vibes push him on and his love for performing is clear in the way he interacts with the people gathering to watch.

“Its not about the money its about just getting out and practicing here, if I’m going to practice at home I’m going to disturb the neighbors which is really bad haha.” For Amadou, music is in his blood.

Over all Amadou is excited about the future of busking, he is really happy with where his music is taking him at the moment and is booked in for five gigs a week playing the kora, including places like the Melbourne International Festival, Melbourne Arts Centre and Port Ferry next year.

“I think it’s great practice for buskers, it’s good money and it’s better than being on the street and stealing from people, which can be really bad.”

 If you want to see Amadou playing his kora in person you can find him on Swanston Street, don't forget to also visit his Facebook Page.

Ps. All feedback is welcome so drop us a comment to tell us what you think! Or if you really liked it head over to Facebook and give us a like to receive updates!

Written by Katherine Allen

Edited by Kimberly Grima

Photography by Kate Katrina