Recently releasing his new single 'Muse', Melbourne-based indie musician Jacob Fitzgerald follows up with the song's music video.
With a mix of VHS and digital footage, the vision featured in the clip was originally filmed during the pre-production of 'Muse'.Never intended to be used for a music video (even to be seen publicly), after receiving the final cut of the song, Jacob's childhood friend Cameron discovered the vision synced seamlessly as an apt visual accompaniment and edited the final version of the clip.
With more new music live shows in the works and fresh from a six-date tour supporting Selfish Sons, here Jacob dispenses some advice from his own experiences for busking musicians.
1: Have a non-stop set
I was busking close to five days a week a few years back. Each day was a new audience and a new opportunity to win some ears over. In Melbourne, there are two types of busking permits: General Area and Premium (operating the Bourke Street Mall).I loved doing both, but you couldn't play all day. The GA spots had a two-hour limit, and the Premium was half an hour on and half an hour off. As someone that plays a lot, that ain't much time.
I discovered early that every second counts. Don't dawdle and learn how to multitask. Introduce your song and reiterate your name in your 16-bar intro or say a quick spiel while retuning or changing instruments.
I found silence was a killer and it counts to make a set flow effortlessly. After all, busking is competitive and there are a lot of 'em. If listeners find an out, they'll take it. Having your tunes back one another or engaging in the right spots pays off in the long run.
I found it made the breaks more special and open for people to come and chat with me. Win them over musically and the rest follows.
2: Someone else's name will help solidify your own name
For original artists, this one helps backup my first point. You'd be surprised how common it is for Bourke Street buskers to repeat the same 30-minute set 3 or 4 times that day.Trust me, learn a few extra tracks adjacent to yours. Add your twist on covers and disperse them throughout your songs to make a cohesive set. Watch the people flock your way. I often phrase it like this: "Covers hook new listeners in, and your songs make them stay."
It's much easier to enjoy a song you know than the one you don't; it's pretty simple when you see it like that. I often used to play a very original version of 'Down Under' by Men At Work and then ramp into one of my songs 'Him' immediately afterwards.
People would always come and compliment the version of 'Down Under' and mention they also saved my track on their streaming platform. It's an ideal one-two combo to grace new fans. I'd almost call it foolproof!
3: Learn the crowd and adapt
After a while of playing, you kind of 'just know' what kind of music people like based on their overall vibe. Which is a weird one because we're told not to stereotype people our whole lives. However, in the entertainment industry, you can let it slide just once.This is where having versatile covers can come in handy. Take a stab at what you think they'll like and mix it with your stuff. Adapt, improvise and ALWAYS SAY YOUR NAME!
Let me give you a scenario: State Library of Victoria. Lunchtime. Perfect sunny day. Uni students EVERYWHERE! They're young and trendy, I'll give them a Top 40 pop hit and see if they bite. CHOMP! They enjoyed the twisted cover I did of a 5SOS song. However, they weren't hooked by my slow ballad 'November'. No biggie, move on.
They love my rendition of 'Dancing In The Dark' by The Boss. I know they're gonna vibe my song 'Lonely'. Play them back-to-back and finish with: "If you've only recently joined us, my name'S Jacob Fitzgerald and that was one of my ones called 'Lonely'; give it a spin for me." Watch them grab their phones. You sold them the track.
4: Be nice and network
Buskers are everywhere man! It's an awesome way to gig and gets your name out there. Lots of people know that, so by technicality, it's a competitive game.However, that doesn't mean you are against the others out there. Be nice. It's unfortunately uncommon in some of the busking communities. It costs you nothing and will pay off in the long run.
I've met some of my best industry mates within the busking scene. All it started with was a chat and an overall appreciation of the hustle. I catch these same people at respective shows, or sometimes even on the streets. Chuck 'em a smile, lend 'em a cable, be a friend. We're all in it together.
5: Time your toilet breaks
Slightly different tone to my last four tips, but boy I needed this one in here.Regardless of whether you're anything like me and sing within your act, you still need water to survive a set! After all, hydration is key. And last I checked, drinking water usually leads most of us to have to take a leak at some stage.
When you're on the street for three/ four hours by yourself with all your music gear, leaving it can be hard. It's a tricky situation and there were many times when I was convinced I was going to piss myself (gross but unfortunately true). Simple tip, time the breaks. Can't stress it enough. Go before you start and look after yourself. Do stay hydrated and fed, it'll help the set, but just be smart with it.
Better yet, this is where networking can be a very handy tool. Ask a busking mate to guard your stuff for five minutes while you rush off! Do the same for them. They need it and will 100 per cent know what you're going through. It might just save ya!
