Busker What’s Your Story? Sarah Johansen and Patrick Thomsen – Life of a Busker

Life of a Busker

“We meet so many people who don’t have time to listen to our music, but then they end up sitting through a 2 hour busking set. Often we end up having more than 100 people standing and listening to us playing and it gives us goosebumps to think that so many cared. Sometimes someone decides to dance to our songs and other times we get people to sing along. So we have a lot of memorable moments from this life.”

Sarah Johansen & Patrick Thomsen

Sarah Johansen and Patrick Thomsen are a duo called ‘Life of a Busker’.

Patrick, 24, grew up in the Denmark countryside close to the little town of Brenderup on the island Fyn. “Music was always around me, as my father played guitar and sang. I started playing and singing when I was 14 and then eventually joined my dad’s band when I was good enough,” he said. “Music was only ever a hobby, until I met Sarah and we found a way to make music a full time job.”

Sarah, 22, grew up in a small town in Denmark called Almind at Jytland. “Opposite Patrick, I didn’t grow up in a musical family, but my dad always listened to a lot of music. I’ve been singing in a church choir for nearly 10 years and then taught myself to play guitar, and that’s where my interest for music really started. Later, I learned to play piano and that became my preferred instrument.”

The young couple who love the travelling lifestyle came up with the idea to busk their way around the world and record their journey on Instagram and Facebook. They began their adventure in January of 2018, travelling across 20 states in the USA in their camper van and entertaining the masses with their formidable musical talents.

They have since busked extensively through Europe and the U.K. including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, The Nederlands, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, England and France, before Coronavirus cut their world tour short in Bali in early March.

The couple have returned home to Denmark. Busker What’s Your Story? caught up with ‘Life of a Busker’ during their busking hiatus, to find out a little more about this delightful duo.

Who are your musical influences and why?

We have both been inspired by a lot of different artists, both before and after we met each other. Patrick has always liked Ed Sheeran, John Mayer and Sarah has a soft spot for Adele, Halsey and Billie Eilish. But we also have artists we are equally inspired by, like Jason Mraz because of his vibe and incredible writing skills, Lewis Capaldi for his awe-inspiring voice.

What are some really memorable moments from busking?

A lot of stuff has happened the last two years and our contact book has seemed to fill up a great amount.

We have met a lot of buskers from a Swedish street magician in Portugal to a group of international buskers in Madrid. We even made a friend in the city of Aarhus where we lived who was willing to help us with our home page, YouTube etc.

We meet so many people who don’t have time to listen to our music, but then they end up sitting through a 2 hour busking set. Often we end up having more than 100 people standing and listening to us playing and it gives us goosebumps to think that so many cared. Sometimes someone decides to dance to our songs and other times we get people to sing along. So we have a lot of memorable moments from this life.

Any funny stories?

When we lived in Madrid a short while ago our tenant from Columbia told us his cousin and her husband were going to visit him, apparently they knew of us and wanted to meet us. We have a pretty decent Instagram account and a lot of people have seen us, but we have never considered ourselves famous in any way, so of course we didn’t believe that two middle-aged people from the other side of the world were our fans!

But suddenly our tenant called out of the blue and said they were outside our apartment and (rather unprepared) we invited these 3 people in, who didn’t speak a word of English. It wasn’t until the cousin came running up the stairs with her phone in hand, ready to take a picture and hug the hell out of us, that we realised they were in fact true fans and so were their daughters.

So we wrote a message to their daughters in a book, gave them an autograph and played a song for them. The cousin ended up crying and went on to invite us to Columbia. A pretty weird and very cool experience.

On your website on your ‘Advice for buskers’ page, you say you have learned what songs to play, and what not to play – can you give some examples?

There are songs that work better in the sense that they connect with more people. Like if a song is extremely popular, or if people have a special feeling towards a song. The songs that work for us are: ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran, ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen, ‘Shallow’ by Lady Gaga, ‘Someone like you’ by Adele and ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz.

Buskers play a lot of songs which are ‘timeless’. Do you think popular music of today will still be played in 30 years time or have we lost the art of timeless music?

Of course! At the current moment we can’t decide what will be timeless in 30 years, but there will always be new songs we will refer back to. People are already considering Backstreet Boys as timeless, next will probably be Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and so on. ‘Timeless’ is a concept that will forever be evolving, we just need to accept that classics are already in the making.

Do you have many arguments travelling the world together and spending so much time together performing?

We do have ‘discussions’ from time to time, because we are together more than the average couple and we are so extremely passionate about our music.

It’s taken us a long time to really learn who we are as a couple, but also as colleagues and we still have a lot to learn. There will always be something we need to discuss or talk about. but we are always willing to listen to each other and find solutions, because at the end of the day, we love what we do and we love each other.

 If you could choose a lyric from any song that sums up life for you, what would that lyric be?

Sarah – “We don’t need the map, we’ll just drive, drive, drive” – Jason Mraz, Lets see what the night can do.
Patrick – “May the road less paved be the one that you follow” by Jason Mraz, Have It All.

The elephant in everyone’s room at the moment – Coronavirus. How badly has your home nation of Denmark been effected?

 It is a weird situation. We were called back to Denmark from Bali, before it really took off.

Our country has taken great precautions and acted swiftly to make sure the spread doesn’t get any further. Even our Queen spoke up about the importance of staying inside and washing your hands frequently.

Now we are all waiting and we have had to stay at Patrick’s parent’s home to see what will happen. It means busking is not something we can do for the foreseeable future, but it means we get a lot more time to write songs and be creative.

Denmark is also a great country to live in, because there is so much help from the government so no-one will get fired or go broke in these challenging times. We are extremely hopeful and are quite happy to see how all of mankind seems to come together in getting through this. So, it’s not all bad.

Have you busked in Australia?

We have never busked in Australia, but it was definitely on our list. We even bought flight tickets to go there after Bali. So Australia wasn’t just on the list, it was next on the list! Now we will have to wait for the future. Hopefully we will get there soon.

We hope you do Sarah & Patrick!

In the meantime you can check out more from this fab duo ‘Life as a Busker’ on their socials:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeofabusker/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lifeofabusker
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCib_QvY2J77F6KZdc4qmN-g
Website – https://lifeofabusker.dk/

Busker What’s Your Story? Andrés S. Macnamara

Andrés S. Macnamara

“I remember one of the first things that really shocked me. There was a man listening to me. He looked like he was homeless, maybe an addict, and he was staring at me, which made me feel really uncomfortable. He looked very angry. As I finished playing ‘Sound of Silence,’ he was getting closer and closer, so I got very tense and started to keep an eye on my money. He extended his arm and opened his hand. I saw a 5-euro note fall over my coins and I heard: that is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard, thank you. I thanked him, still in a bit of a shock, and suddenly felt as guilty as hell. Don’t judge a book by its cover is a saying I thought I understood before this happened.”

Andrés S. Macnamara

Our interview with the incredible Andrés S. Macnamara came during these new unprecedented times of the Coronavirus which is having a devastating effect on the live music and entertainment industry. In all the doom and gloom however, while (some) Americans are lining up to purchase guns, musicians and civilians in lockdown in countries such as Spain and Italy are singing and playing music from their balconies, spreading messages of support and hope.

That’s where we found Andrés this week.

Born in Zaragoza, the Capital of the Aragón region in the northeast of Spain, 31 year old Andrés has a Degree in Veterinary Medicine as well as a Music Degree. “I decided to go for music, as I think I’m better at it and also enjoy it more. Then I moved to Tenerife and after that to Dublin where I began busking,” he said.

“Last October, I came back to Spain to try busking over here, although lately I’m busking from my balcony due to the Coronavirus situation.”

What drew you to music?

I was born to a Spanish father and an Irish mother. Both my parents are very musical. My father plays guitar and sings, but basically he’ll make any instrument (or object) sound great. He’s a huge musical influence for me. My sister is the most talented guitar player I know. I’ve basically been listening to great music since I remember.

Do you write your own material?

Songwriting has always been a fight against myself. I love it and I hate it. For the moment I don’t have any songs released (as a solo artist) but I will be releasing my first album this year. I’m extremely excited about it but it’s also very scary as I have a lot of hope (maybe too much!) that some people will enjoy what I do.

I try to write down musical ideas that I like and that I find interesting. Then, I try to write lyrics that suit the music and that reflect either personal experiences, or invented stories. I don’t like lyrics that complain or that get too whinny. I prefer stories and music and lyrics that create a mental image for the listener.

What can you share with us about your busking experiences?

Busking was one of the best things I ever did. It changed my life. I had been playing with bands for over ten years, but was never confident enough to be the frontman. I decided to start busking in Dublin and that really boosted my confidence. I saw that people actually enjoyed my performance and I was complimented for my way of singing.

It can be very scary to go out to the street and break the silence with your voice, but in the end you realise that people in general are great and usually have nice words for you.

There are many memorable moments. I remember one of the first things that really shocked me: there was a man listening to me. He looked like he was homeless, maybe an addict, and he was staring at me, which made me feel really uncomfortable. He looked very angry. As I finished playing “Sound of silence,” he was getting closer and closer so I got very tense and started to keep an eye on my money. He extended his arm and opened his hand. I saw a 5-euro note fall over my coins and I heard: that is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard, thank you. I thanked him, still in a bit of shock, and suddenly felt as guilty as hell. Don’t judge a book by its cover is a saying I thought I understood before this happened.

Mostly I have good memories when I think of busking but, of course, people rob you, sometimes spit at you, shout at you or fall over your equipment but hey! You’re in the street, what do you expect?

What’s a great piece of advice you’ve been given, and who gave it to you?

My dad always says: ‘la vida es jugar,’ which means life is playing, not playing an instrument or music necessarily, but just playing, making things enjoyable. Now he’s retired. He used to be an English teacher in high school and he always said: The most important thing is that you have fun, and then the students will have fun and therefore learn. I think this is the most important thing to keep in mind, no matter what you do.

What advice would you give a young person starting out busking?

I would say just do it. 

Nothing of what you think will happen, will actually happen. Many things you’d never even think could happen, will happen, and that’s a good thing. It really helped me feel alive. Also, don’t think about the money, some days it will be good, others terrible, and although it does partly depend on what you do and your attitude, most of it is random. Just do your thing and try to get better every day.

If you could choose a lyric that sums up life for you, what would it be?

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. It’s from a John Lennon song called ‘Beautiful Boy, Darling Boy.’

It had to be a Lennon song. I’m a Beatle-head. Although they aren’t especially strong for their lyrics, I think this one (although it’s a Lennon song) really means a lot to me. It’s a beautiful and colourful way of saying carpe diem.

Buskers often sing material that is ‘timeless’ (The Beatles is a great example). Do you think music from quality artists of today (Ed Sheeran for example) will be sung in 30 years time or will today’s music just come and go?

I love this question! It’s a conversation I frequently have with my friends. What songs will be Hey Jude for us when we are 50 or 60? Sometimes I feel like there’s nothing like it. I mean, Ed Sheeran is really good, but I can’t see people playing Thinking out loud in 30 years, or playing Beyoncé songs. But that’s just my opinion and my taste.

On a brighter side, I do believe last year a new artist emerged that will definitely achieve the timeless tag and that’s Billie Eilish, now that’s good damn music!

What’s next for Andrés S. Macnamara?

Next is a European busking tour this summer (of course that’s if the Pandemic situation improves) and an album release, and later? Just playing!

At Busker What’s Your Story? we’ll be sure to connect with Andrés again when he releases his original EP later this year.

You can find out more about this talented artist here:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/andres.s.macnamara/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/andres.s.macnamara/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8kAg8ChA1JWhfs1gUtb3dA

Busker What’s Your Story? Lotte Walda

Lotte Walda

“Some days you feel a bit pathetic. People look at you like ‘oh there’s that silly girl again, trying to get some coins,’ but the thing is, I never play for the money. Sometimes I even give my money away to homeless people, or I just buy some food with it and share it.

One time, I also had a really weird experience with a man who wanted to jump off a bridge and he was crying. He was a homeless guy, in trouble, he just felt no meaning in his life any more. I was singing happy songs at that moment, and I felt really good, like I could help him! So I think I sort of stopped him from jumping. It was quite intense, he was a bit confused afterwards and I helped him find his way to the train station. I gave him some money and left him on his way. Yeah, I guess those kind of people always come to me, because I’m just nice to everybody and they feel seen.”

Lotte Walda

Lotte Walda is the golden haired girl with a golden heart.

Born in Heerlen, Limburg in the south of the Netherlands, this alternative pop/folk artist is an established singer/songwriter who says she wants to show her love for people and nature through her music. Well known as a busker, Walda says she will continue to share her songs as a street performer, no matter how far her music career takes her.

Walda says she knew from as young as 3 years old that she wanted to sing. When she learned to write, she began to create poems which she says is a passion that has continued throughout her life.

 “When I turned 15, I participated in a contest where I needed to write an original song. That’s when I started writing songs, and I totally adore it,” she said. “It’s so beautiful to have the ability to write something to inspire other people. Actually, after that contest, everything started flowing and I just knew that music was my path. But I think I always knew that.”

Walda has busked all over the world, including Portugal, Greece, America and China. “I travel a lot, just everywhere I go, I do some busking.”

We invited Lotte to the blog so we could share her awesome music and you could read a little of her story.

How long have you been busking?

I started busking in the city where I grew up, Heerlen. I was 15 years old and scared! It was super scary to just stand there on the street and start singing. But I’m so glad I made the decision to do it. It was a new world for me! After busking for the first time, I started doing it every week. The older I became, the more I busked in other places as well. I often go to Maastricht to sing on the Old Bridge, I also wrote a song about that, which will be out on the 24th of April.

Tell us why you love it so much

I just totally love busking because of the fact that everything that happens is spontaneous.

You have more one-to-one contact with people. Plus everybody gets to choose if they want to listen and stand still, or not. So I think when people listen, they really want to. It’s a beautiful thing.

I’ve experienced many ”blissful” moments when I’m busking. I love it when a little kid, who is at first scared to come to me, is later dancing to my music, those little things are so wonderful. It really makes me feel alive! No matter how far I go with my music, I will keep on doing this. It’s just such a different feeling to standing on a stage (which is also really nice) because with busking, you are not asked to play there. So it’s totally fresh for the people every time.

In a way, you have to open yourself completely, which is still quite scary sometimes. But then when you do, and play a few songs, you feel, ‘yeah this is the day’ and then you’re just totally flowing. Laughing.

When you come to that state of happiness, people feel the happiness, and beautiful things can happen!

Are there bad things you’ve experienced?

Yeah. Of course, bad things always happen sometimes.

You have days where you just feel a little bit pathetic, people look at you like: ‘ah there’s that silly girl again, trying to get some coins’. You just feel it sometimes. But the thing is, I never play for money. Sometimes I even give my money away to homeless people or I just buy some food and share it. So I don’t mind when I don’t get a lot of money, but it’s just that you feel the opinion of other people sometimes, and on those days sometimes I can’t find my flow. On those days, I’ll just decide to stop and play some music somewhere else.

One time, I also had a really weird experience with a man who wanted to jump off a bridge and he was crying. He was a homeless guy, in trouble, he just felt no meaning in his life any more. I was singing happy songs at that moment, and I felt really good, like I could help him! So I think I sort of stopped him from jumping. It was quite intense, after that moment he was a bit confused and I helped him find his way to the train station. I gave him some money and left him on his way. Yeah, I guess those kind of people always come to me because I’m just nice to everybody and they feel seen.

If you could change something you’ve seen on the streets, what would it be?

Damn, many things!

Of course you see many homeless people which is a shame. I wish everybody would just have a place to go to and enough food to eat.

Then there’s also the rich people with their shopping bags. Sometimes it’s quite heavy to see how much money they spend, while others don’t have anything. Plus the world is suffering and we should all do something about that, instead of buying more and more things.

So yeah, I wish people would be more aware of this planet, share more, recycle more, go to vintage stores more. Instead of buying new and new and new items all the time. Plus sooo many plastic bags! Please bring your own bags people.

Do you think busking can survive an increasingly cashless society?

Hmm, good question. Well actually, I don’t do it for the money, so I don’t care. We’ll see. If there would be no cash money any more, I would keep on playing and then I guess people would just feed me. Buy me food or something, that’s always nice. I’ve had that many times, especially in the winter. People bring me hot chocolate milk or something, it’s so sweet. It’s the feeling people give you, not the cash.

You write your own material – choosing a couple of your favourites, what can you tell me about them?

I like my song ‘Let it flow’. It brings me in a flow, which is a nice thing. It’s a happy, uplifting song about letting it all just come to you! It’s also about a little girl who’s not daring to do what she loves in this society because she’s afraid she might fail. So she’s unhappy. And I sing to her that everything will work out fine, if you just choose to follow your heart. 

Another song of mine is called ‘The old bridge’ which is particulary about playing on the street, on the bridge of Maastricht. I describe the feeling of busking in that song and I am really excited because it’s not out yet. I wrote this song in Nashville with Suzy Brown and I really love the simplicity of playing on this bridge, and this same simplicity is also in the lyrics. (We’ll be sure to share Lotte’s release on Busker What’s Your Story?)

I also wrote a song called ”Barefoot” which is about walking barefoot.  I love walking barefoot! In the summer, I do it all the time. I often play this song when I’m busking in the summer, it gives people a summery vibe and it’s just a really happy song.

What’s next for Lotte Walda? Will you busk for us in Australia one day?

Yeah sure! I will go many places with my music and I am deeply trusting my musical path.

Some days I feel worried, some days I feel it’s all not going fast enough. But when I look at the bigger picure, I can see what I’ve experienced already. I feel so grateful. I just know that my path will take me to many more beautiful places where I can share my voice with everyone who’s willing to listen.

Right now I’m working on my second album and I’ve made a plan with my agent/management, so hopefully these people can help me with my career.

No matter how big I become, I will never stop busking. Because I just love it. It gives me freedom and I love freedom. On the other hand, it also gives me a sort of certainty. Because I can always choose to travel where ever, open my guitar case and start singing. Oh what a beautiful thought!

You can find Lotte here on her socials:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lottewaldasings
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LotteWalda/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lottewalda/
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0IkirifajdauvWWt6wZkC6?si=kPhfx_fGTfS_2mNxyzQutw