Rob Falsini
“Standout moments for me are when a strong connection with the audience is built. When that happens, busking is pure magic!”
Rob Falsini
At Busker What’s Your Story? we’re thrilled that acclaimed London busker Rob Falsini accepted our invitation to the blog to tell us a little more of his story. As well as those videos we’ve featured here, you’ll find loads more on YouTube of this amazing and versatile Covent Garden standout.
Tell us a little about your music career?
I moved to London from Rome in 2003 with the aim of becoming a professional musician. After just a few months, I was approached by Cirque du Soleil composer Benoit Jutras to be the lead singer in a massive show in Las Vegas called Le Reve by Franco Dragone, a gig I performed until 2008.
During that period I did more than 1000 shows and had the chance to sing for Sting, Celine Dion, Anastacia and many others.
I came back to London in 2008 to pursue a solo career, and (thanks to a viral video taken by a tourist in 2014) I was able to build a up a strong presence online and earned the opportunity to play gigs in Uk, Ireland, Canada, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Morocco, Norway and Barhain.
I currently play gigs and busk regularly in Covent Garden in London. You’ll find me on social media as Robcoventgarden.
What do you love about busking and what do you dislike about it?
Standout moments are when a strong connection with the audience is built, when that happens, busking is pure magic!
I like the idea that I have to start from zero, every single day.
The downside is certainly playing in bad weather conditions and occasionally dealing with annoying people.
If you could choose a lyric that sums up life for you, what would it be?
I honestly don’t know how to answer this one. I don’t think busking can be summed up by a lyric… Even though it seems to be the same activity, it does change every single time.
Do you think busking can survive an increasingly cashless society?
It is gonna be tough! Unless a truly efficient card reader is made available, that is super fast and easy. But also, the mentality of the audience must change, they have to understand that if they don’t have cash, they can still donate. It is possible, but it’s not gonna be easy.
If you could change something on the streets, what would it be?
I would go back when the society wasn’t becoming cashless…
What’s next for Rob Falsini?
Who knows? LOL – that’s the beauty of this profession, anything can happen! I found most of my gigs through busking and the Chasing Cars video that went viral was only shot by a tourist, so you never know what to expect.
Have you ever busked in Australia?
No, unfortunately, never – (Well we’re waiting Rob!)
Rob is also an accomplished singer/songwriter. Here he is performing a soulful original called Christmas Lullaby that he wrote for his children.
https://www.facebook.com/Robcoventgarden-344397872309300/
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/rob-falsini/id839167918
Leanne Ortiz 