Eugene Kurolap
“Sometimes music can seep into the soul. I’ve had people start crying after listening to a song. Busking in Australia, I finished ‘Goodbye my Lover’ by James Blunt and a guy came up to me and told me his wife died in his arms while they were listening to that song.”
Eugene Kurolap
After the collapse of communist Russia, Eugene Kurolap’s musical parents took he and his brother to Israel, and later on to Canada where he would spend the next 17 years.
In 2013, Eugene left Canada in a bid to see the world. After working a few different jobs Eugene met a young female busker in Tel Aviv in 2015, after this encounter he realised he could make more money doing what he loves than he was making in a routine sales job with a boss.
So Eugene decided he would travel the world supporting himself as a busker and singer/songwriter. You can find his original music in the links below.
In the video above you’ll see the moment when Eugene busked in Brooklyn outside the concert of his idol, coaxing UK singer/songwriter Mike Rosenberg (Passenger) out after his show to sing some tunes with him.
We’re thrilled Eugene accepted our invitation to Busker What’s Your Story? so we could find out a little more about this happy indie/folk musician.
What drew you to music and to busking?
“I met a girl who made more money busking that I did at my sales job and I’d rather sing than harass people.”
What are some really great moments you have had while busking?
“Sometimes music can seep into the soul. I’ve had people start crying after listening to a song. For example in Australia after I finished singing ‘Goodbye My Lover’ by James Blunt, a guy came up to me and said that his wife died in his arms while they were listening to this song.
Another memorable experience was in Morocco. This 20 something year old woman couldn’t hide her excitement; she heard me the year before that singing in Australia! The reason I was in Morocco was because a woman who heard me sing there, invited me to sing at her wedding in Paris and then they had a second wedding in Morocco since they are both French Moroccan.”
If you could choose a lyric from any song that is particularly special to you, what would that lyric be?
You got the kind of look in your eyes, as if noone knows anything but us –
“It’s from Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran.”
If you could change something you see on the streets, what would it be?
“Take the homeless off the streets, rehab them, give them purpose, teach responsibility etc…
Maybe one day I’ll have a hand in being part of the solution.”
Where can people see you busk/perform?
“Currently I’m in the States. I’ll be in Tel Aviv in May/June.”
https://www.facebook.com/pg/eugenekurolap/
Leanne Ortiz 