No Money, No Music

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Did anyone else notice the non-busking busker at the Davis T this morning? I guess he decided to employ a new business model, because the sign in his guitar case said NO MONEY, NO MUSIC. Sure enough, his case was empty, and he was pacing and grumbling "f*ck, man, f*ck" and reading a newspaper, not playing at all. I saw him lash out his arm at an elderly person who stepped too close to his case.

I busked for a year with a folk trio, and I have to say, that's just not how it works. We sang and had a great time, and people gave us money if they enjoyed the music. Sometimes candy or T tokens too. Most Boston buskers do it in their spare time and don't attempt to make a full living at it, and it's more about getting exposure for their music or their CDs, and making a few bucks for sharing music.

All I can say is I hope this guy isn't planning to take up regular residence in that busking spot. Coming down the stairs I noticed the unusual absence of music, then this surly, swearing guy taking up a spot that another busker could have been using.

Comments

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Yes please.

[komos.livejournal.com]

Nah, too obvious.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

No please do tell, it's not obvious to me.

[mattlistener.livejournal.com]

I think it's the motorcycle -> noise link.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

That was my guess. Motorcycles with loud exhausts also piss me off, because similar to the subway performers, I find the noise obnoxiouisly inconsiderate. Unlike the people making noise in subway stations where I occasionally have to be, loud exhausts are illegal. Complain to the local police about them.

Here's my bike: http://www.chaosreigns.com/sv650/
With the nice quiet original and legal stock exhaust.
When I was shopping for it, I had a good opportunity to buy another at a good price, but didn't entirely because it had an aftermarket exhaust.

[komos.livejournal.com]

Yeah, not what I was thinking.

It's good that you have options, though.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

see, now I have also heard it said, and quite seriously, "Loud pipes save lives," as the operators of the 1/4+ ton vehicles never SEE motorcycles . . .

Didn't help the guy I knew who sent his ride back for louder pipes, but, then again, it won't do much dopplered in from in front of an exhausted 18 year old reaching for his cellphone in the passenger seat.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, those people are full of shit.

[darxus.livejournal.com]

http://www.virginiawind.com/byways/loud_pipes_save_lives.asp

There we go. I'd love to see statistics on the percentages of these people who are supposedly so safety conscious who have bothered to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class or wear a SNELL certified (full face) helmet.

Loud pipes don't help anybody, they just piss everyone else off, which is not good for your safety.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

hmm, while I agree on the premises of the article, I think saying that pissing off automobile drivers is unsafe says that those drivers are going to have less regard, based on anger.

It may be true.
It's just an ugly reflection of humanity.