Busker What’s Your Story? Cainan Russell

Cainan Russell

“I’ve had plenty of amazing experiences while busking. There’s been a few instances when people have donated upwards of $120. I’ve had people propose to their girlfriend while I was playing. After one of my sets, I had some guy pay me $100 to play one song on the beach while he proposed to his girlfriend.

Unfortunately there’s a few bad experiences too. Drunk girls try to kiss me, because the lyrics of the song say: “darling kiss me.” I’ve had death threats because some drug addict didn’t like Ed Sheeran and drunk people falling on me and knocking everything over.” 

Cainan Russell

Twenty-one year old Gold Coast busker Cainan Russell was 8 when he moved to Australia with his family from his birth nation of South Africa.

After seeing a few videos of Cainan busking and playing gigs on the Gold Coast we invited him to Busker What’s Your Story? to find out more about this young acousic/pop/alternative artist.

How competitive is the busking scene on the Gold Coast? Is it difficult to book a spot in Cavill Mall? Is there an audition process?

It’s not too competitive; everyone is friendly and you get to know all the other buskers. You do however have to audition to receive a permit.

 Where do you busk apart from Cavill Mall?

I busk in Brisbane (South Bank), Broadbeach and at Pacific fair shopping centre as well as surfers paradise of course.

What are some memorable experiences you’ve had while busking?

I’ve had plenty of amazing experiences while busking, every time you go out you never know what to expect.

People are so generous sometimes. There’s been a few instances where people have donated upwards of $120.

I’ve had people propose to their girlfriends while I was playing. After one of my sets, I had some guy pay me $100 to play one song on the beach while he proposed to his girlfriend.

Unfortunately there’s a few bad experience too. I’ve had drunk girls try to kiss me, because the lyrics of the song were “darling kiss me.” I’ve had death threats because some drug addict didn’t like Ed Sheeran. I’ve had drunk people falling on me and knocking everything over (mic stand and guitar case.)

Recently I was busking in Cavill Mall and I had about $100 in notes in a jar (I keep all the notes in a jar so they don’t blow away in the wind). Mid-song, I had some random homeless guy run up and steel it. My dad tried to catch him but he was too fast; we reported it to the police and they caught him a few days later but unfortunately I never got the money back. 

If you could choose a lyric from any song that means something special to you, what would that lyric be, and why? 

“When I’m away, I will remember how you kissed me,
Under the lamp post, back on Sixth street,
Hearing you whisper through the phone,
“Wait for me to come home”

They’re from Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Photograph,’ I like them because they’re so relatable. Everyone experiences distance in a relationship and as long as you remember the special moments that made you fall in love, then you will always find your way home. 

What’s a great piece of advice you’ve been given?

As time goes on, the more you practice you can only get better. If you’re not happy where you are now, just keep going. You will get better.

You’re a singer/songwriter, what can you tell us about your own material? 

I’m constantly writing new songs and coming up with ideas for songs. Currently I’m working on a 5 track EP and I hope to have it out near the end of the year.

What’s something interesting or unusual about Cainan Russell?

I’m not sure, but I only started singing and playing guitar 3 years ago, in my last year of school (2016) I didn’t even know that I could sing!

Here’s a video recorded in 2018 by Cainan that gives an excellent insight into a day in the life of a Gold Coast busker.

In this video you’ll follow Cainan for a day of busking (including the girl who takes his lyrics a little too literally). You’ll also hear some more of Cainan’s great vocals and acoustic guitar.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cainanrussell/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cainanrussell/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnn3JX2tbHlXnuUriFutxxA

Busker What’s Your Story? Doc J. Feelgood

Doc J. Feelgood

“Music is not a job, it’s a passion. But you have to work at it. It’s 10% talent and 90% practice.”

Doc J. Feelgood

Doc J. Feelgood sings a great cover of Tennessee Whiskey

Doc J. Feelgood grew up in Tokoroa in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. His people were originally from the Miti Miti Ngatuna area in Northland, a remote and beautiful region near the Hokianga Harbour.

Doc has been entertaining tourists on the Gold Coast for decades with his smooth blues/country/jazz/rock easy listening style.

We only spent a few mintues with Doc on a busy night on the Gold Coast, but we had to share his talent here on Busker What’s Your Story?

Our video shows Doc J. playing and singing a version of Tennesee Whiskey that gives us a glimpse of a sweet Māori  soul.

Doc told us he gigs in bars and surf life saving clubs all over the coast, but busking is by far his biggest earner! We’re not surprised, we couldn’t walk by without tossing a note in his case.

If you’re holidaying in Surfers Paradise, take a stroll down Cavill Avenue around 7 or 8pm and you might be lucky enough to catch a set from Doc J. – we promise you’ll leave feeling good!

Busker What’s Your Story? David Mogg

David Mogg

“At 81, I must be the oldest busker in the paddock! Maybe I can inspire other oldies to get up there and just do it.
Why do I busk? The extra money keeps my wife in the manner she is becoming used to. Hopefully we will be able to go on a cruise soon, as this will be her last hurrah. She’s not travelling too well any more.”

David Mogg

David Mogg busks on Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

What drew you to music?

“I started to learn the Violin at age 7 . Don’t know why, but I had a very good old lady to teach me. One day when I was about 15 she said: you are a very natural violinist and gifted musician, but I suggest you get a day job to earn a living.” 

“Her next words have never left me: your gift of music is not yours, but for other people to enjoy.”

“So I went to the shipyard and became a Shipwright. Left England at the age of 32 and arrived in Sydney (this was 1968). This was the best thing I ever did. We have had a wonderful life here.”

What can you tell us about your instrument?

“My violin at home is a 250-year-old German Mitnvald but it doesn’t like being miked up, so I’ve recently bought a Yamaha electric one with a battery amp. The sound is great.”

How long have you been busking and why do you busk?

“I only started busking a couple of years ago. Why do I busk? The extra money keeps my wife in the manner she is becoming used to. Hopefully we will be able to go on a cruise soon, as this will be her last hurrah. She’s not travelling too well any more.”

What’s your favourite piece of music?

“My most liked piece of music is: This is a lovely way to spend an evening, by Ella Fitzgerald.”

What advice would you offer aspiring buskers?

“When they think the audience is not listening, most players will turn up the volume. WRONG, WRONG WRONG. You just need to play better! Even turn down the volume.”

“I learned this a long time ago. I was at a market where an old Aboriginal master storyteller was holding his audience in raptures. It was a simple story, but the way he told it was fascinating. Raising his voice, speeding up, slowing down – his pauses had people hanging on to every word.”

“Playing a piece of music is the same as telling a story. No matter how good the melody is, if you just play the notes, it’s just a piece of music. But if you tell the story, it will come to life, then people will start to listen. Once you have them, the rest is easy, and the donations will flow into your hat.”