Buskers are enjoying a renaissance in New York. In today's economy, everyone is looking for free or low-cost entertainment, and artists are vying for the most trafficked places to get noticed by passersby. And with “indie-" everything being so in vogue, you can't get much more indie than literally performing underground for people in transit.
To Cathy Grier, a singer-songwriter who has been performing in the streets and subway stations of New York for over ten years, this freedom is part of the beauty of street performance. “To many people, a street performer is a struggling artist, for me it's a moment without struggle," she says. “I bask in the void of promoters' rules, of complicated and heavy equipment, of the music industry's opinion, and a singer songwriter's freedom to do what I love to do."
We share Grier's opinion, and we've solicited few tips from some street performance veterans for those of you who want to perform in public.
Take it to the Street
There are countless performers scattered throughout the five boroughs, but around 350 are actually sanctioned by the city through the MTA's Music Under New York program. The permit gives you clearance to perform free of hassle from station attendants or other performers who might want your ideal setup spot.
However, obtaining a permit is not crucial; it's perfectly legal for you to perform almost anywhere within certain common-sense legal parameters. According to JC Cassis, a local performer of the dance/pop variety who doesn't perform in the subways, this is a good thing. “Getting a permit is a bitch," Cassis says, and getting someone from MUNY on the phone, in her experience, is pretty much impossible.
Cassis also warns against picking spots with too much foot traffic, saying it translates to “a lot of people not paying attention."
“Freelance" First
The fascinating and charming Natalia Paruz, known as “the Saw Lady," has been making music with the saw in the subways for 17 years. She used to “freelance"—busk without a permit—and though she now has one, she recommends emphatically that novice buskers freelance first. “See if it's right for you, so you don't spend the time and energy getting the permit and end up hating the subway experience," she says. “Just go and play!"
There are a few reasons why busking isn't for everybody. She says that in the busy subway stations, “a lot of people don't stop and listen, so don't take it personally." It's not exactly easy money either, and “any busker who is in it for money quickly disappears from the subway scene." The proximity to the audience and the fact that the audience is comprised of all kinds of people can be intimidating or even scary, “so you have to be outgoing and love interacting with all kinds of people." Even if you're not necessarily the bravest, most outgoing artist, she thinks busking is a great way to get practice, try out new material and get a tough skin.
Move Around
If you do decide to go the subway route, though, don't get too comfortable with any one location. Move around to expand your audience pool and get acquainted with the unique acoustics of different spots. Cady Finlayson, who plays “a spirited Irish fiddle with a Global twist," suggests choosing stations with fewer train lines. There will be fewer people, but there will also be fewer tracks, which means fewer trains pulling into the station interrupting your set. “To plot out your route, use Hopstop and think about whether or not there's too many stairs if you're going to be carrying any heavy equipment," she says.
Finlayson is so meticulous about planning the logistics of subway busking that she even has a thinly designed amp that fits through the subway turnstiles. She says it's not a bad idea to use an instrument and equipment you don't have to worry about—inclement weather, transit mishaps and theft are all things to be aware of.
Another reason to spread your love around: studies have shown that in areas where buskers regularly perform, crime rates tend to go down. Think of yourself as a crime fighter who's got to tackle different neighborhoods!
Lastly, join AudioMole! Create your multimedia profile and update your latest location, and give people one more shot at finding out who you are. A big part of being an independent musician or performer is self-promotion. In this industry full of people trying to make a name for themselves and get press and media attention, you not only need to put yourself in front of people, but also have a way for them to remember you, even if they don't buy a CD or sign up for your mailing list. AudioMole is going to be the busker-loving public's resource for finding when and where you'll be as well as all the other awesome things you stumble upon in NYC, from the random coffee house to the street corner, and from sculptors to jewelers to t-shirt makers. We're also going to provide any performer/musician/artist/goods purveyor with a business card template. All the information will be on the very funkily designed card, (group/business name, AudioMole web address) so people can just grab it on the go. No need to hire a designer or mess with that. It's a free service provided to everyone who signs up.
