The Harsh Reality of Busking in Vancouver (A documentary)

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  • Опубліковано 5 лют 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 119

  • @jonfrolick9963
    @jonfrolick9963 8 днів тому

    As pro musicians, we have always reacted to changes in the industry.
    The only "stage" we belong on, are those we're invited to.
    Busking is just a stage of your own making. It is indeed another form of begging.
    If all of your efforts have failed, it may be time to consider a career change.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +13

      Impressive. The video specifically calls out morons like you that call busking begging. Did you watch that part? You should watch it again. What is this 'We' nonsense? You're not a musician. You're a troll. The only stage is one you're invited to? Lol! I guess that means all buskers worldwide should quit right now. Not one of them was invited. Do you read your spew before spewing it? You are pinned, pinhead.

    • @davekrochenski
      @davekrochenski 8 днів тому +1

      thank god I didn't go professional. I do what I want for me, not what everyone expects for them. It's a trash life.

  • @shatnershairpiece
    @shatnershairpiece  9 днів тому +9

    😎 Join Patreon (more videos) www.patreon.com/Shatnershairpiece
    🎸 Bandcamp (super audio) thesixmilliondollarguitar.bandcamp.com/
    🎁 Paypal tip: www.paypal.com/paypalme/6milliondollarguitar?locale.x=en_US
    👍 Google pay tip/Apple tip/cc tip: busk.co/30027
    ❤ Tip with 'buy me a coffee' www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinSpanell
    🎭 Follow me on X for updates! x.com/Shatshairpiece
    🔊 Want a song request for a gift? $100 gets you an extended jam of your choice!
    00:00:00 The Decline of Live Music Venues
    00:00:36 Transition to Street Musician
    00:00:50 Challenges on the Streets
    00:01:20 The Impact of Technology
    00:02:04 The Rise of AI Music
    00:02:46 Misconceptions About Busking
    00:03:03 The Harsh Reality of Busking
    00:03:31 Declining Tips and Increased Danger
    00:04:50 Positive Moments and Online Presence
    00:06:02 The State of Vancouver

  • @normandlandry8881
    @normandlandry8881 9 днів тому +9

    I moved there in '85 as well spent just 11 years there doing odd jobs and busking. There's something special about playing outdoors with spontaneous crowds. However, we really do suffer under the policies of governmentards.

  • @timlaver6004
    @timlaver6004 9 днів тому +11

    Very sad to hear the many negatives of busking life; all seem valid to me. Very professionally done video. Doesn't sound like an appealing city to live in. Best wishes Robin and thank you for persisting with loading your videos to UA-cam.

  • @backbayproductions9508
    @backbayproductions9508 9 днів тому +8

    I stopped busking in Boston, MA in mid August of 2024. After 3 years of playing out there as a hobby on Saturdays, I just couldn't do it anymore. Crowds got more apathetic, tips became much less, and it just wasn't worth traveling over an hour to get there if I was losing more than I was gaining. Plus, my family was getting increasingly worried about me traveling out there as crime had supposedly started to increase over there.
    As far as the music scene goes in Boston, it doesn't look to be getting any better for the musicians. The only musicians I ever see nowadays are the guys who have been playing for 10 or 20+ years. Even one of my musician friends stopped playing in Boston because of the same reasons.
    It's extremely sad that this is happening practically worldwide, and the creepy part of it all is if it is bad now, then I can't even fathom what it could be like years from now.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +1

      I hear you. With AI music now getting better every day, you don't even have to play a thing. Just say a phrase, and get a song.

    • @davekrochenski
      @davekrochenski 8 днів тому +2

      I stopped in 1991 because the cityof winnipeg started licencing players to play in designated locations and issuing fines to people who didn't audition and pay for thier license.
      I've done well teaching beginners and doing private jams and stuff. As far as I gather, it's gonna take more than just an economic collape to get me to stop.
      This place is a frozen outhouse anyways. nobody goes outside for more than it takes to get a smoke in the system.

  • @davekrochenski
    @davekrochenski 8 днів тому +3

    Great feature. I was entertained right through it. lots of relatables. Almost like you reading my thoughts and concerns.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      Glad you enjoyed it! it’s quite depressing, but sounds better with a British accent

  • @SixStringSteve
    @SixStringSteve 8 днів тому +3

    Society in general was much happier before the internet. The covid lockdowns sounded the death knell for peoples’ social skills and interaction, I don’t think we’ll ever recover from it.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      @@SixStringSteve exactly. The lawsuits will be continuing for the next 10 years at least.

    • @A.I.N.A.C..
      @A.I.N.A.C.. 8 днів тому +2

      I tried to get (old) freinds around to mine every thursday for a jam/laugh/social, everybody too scared to leave there"bubbles"............and the truth is coming out........i did try and tell em!

    • @davekrochenski
      @davekrochenski 8 днів тому +1

      @ persistance man, keep at it

    • @davekrochenski
      @davekrochenski 8 днів тому

      @ at the very least.

  • @xanthousproxy5937
    @xanthousproxy5937 8 днів тому +3

    I left busking behind years ago. Much the same reasoning. Safety has gone down, people dont carry cash, dont stop top listen, regard it as begging instead of live performance art... you hit every point I had in my head at the time I stopped.
    I'm a Musician with multiple qualifications including a degree in Music Performance, 10 years of Music teaching experience and 30 years experience with some of my instruments. I'm not just some guy that needed $5 for drugs and grabbed a guitar to learn his first I-IV-vi-V song ever. I have a plan and a set list and I rehearse my performance out there.
    I also feel that content creation has gone down a similar dark road. I don't want to invest my time and energy into content that ends up made for the lowest common denominator of people's attention. Nor do I want to invest time and energy into the "creative-work-up-front-money-later-perhaps" economy that has been foist upon a generation of artists and creators too green to choose otherwise.
    I've watched many of your videos and so many of the experiences were just absolute mirrors of what I would have to deal with when I went out to busk. Its a real shame the bad crazy stuff is outpacing the good crazy stuff these days.

  • @dan-925
    @dan-925 7 днів тому +2

    Great video!...been following you a while now and you have awesome talent. It is unfortunate that people cannot recognize it...keep doing what you love, never stop rocking 🤘🎸🔥

  • @publicdomain1103
    @publicdomain1103 8 днів тому +2

    Holograms of Jimi and Stevie dueling it out will be some stiff competition. This was a great production over all and the narrative cadence and frequency was spot on. Almost.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +1

      I wanted to experiment with the AI and see what it would come up with. It’s interesting because I tried different voice versions of the script. in one version. the guy speaks slower. But sometimes the accentuations are off.

    • @davekrochenski
      @davekrochenski 8 днів тому +1

      ​@ So this os AI but your script? I've been pushing off ai. I dunno, I kinda like fucking up my sound. It brings a definition that's unusual. been thinking about it because have lyrics to alot ofmy work, but I won't sing because I sound alot lke Jim Henson, and Kermit is a disney trademark now.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  7 днів тому

      yes, you input your own words and pick a voice.

  • @FoundationElectronics
    @FoundationElectronics 9 днів тому +4

    you have the BC govt. to thank for the drugs, crime and violence in Vancouver, especially in the DTES, and it won't get better, it'll get worse
    I've live in the LML for 50 years, and it was never like this, till the govt. started decriminalizing drugs, and gave out "slap on the wrist" punishment

  • @frankkos6476
    @frankkos6476 9 днів тому +9

    If video killed the radio star? Then internet killed the live music. I've been to several concerts, over the years, and these days. Everybody is watching the live performance with their phone in hand.

    • @stonehengemaca
      @stonehengemaca 8 днів тому +1

      So? You don't have to.. What's it got to do with you if I want to record a segment or the whole thing? Mind your own business and enjoy the concert instead of moaning and judging others.

    • @frankkos6476
      @frankkos6476 8 днів тому +1

      @@stonehengemaca correct. Mind your own damn business.

    • @Wilem35
      @Wilem35 8 днів тому

      Yep, youngsters today are totally useless, selfish and inconsiderate towards others.. The only concert I've been to didn't allow cell phones. Thanks Maynard! Happy Days!

    • @Wilem35
      @Wilem35 8 днів тому

      @@frankkos6476 It's his business.

    • @Wilem35
      @Wilem35 8 днів тому

      @@frankkos6476 It's his business that your not minding.

  • @ruiseartalcorn
    @ruiseartalcorn 9 днів тому +2

    I'm a musician. I feel your pain! :(

  • @peppik
    @peppik 9 днів тому +3

    I'm busking since 40 years now. Never ever gave much about giging. My main income comes from busking. It's not a piece of cake but the only way to earn a living by playing music.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  9 днів тому +1

      which city are you in?

    • @peppik
      @peppik 9 днів тому +1

      @@shatnershairpiece I'm based in Frankfurt, Germany but prefer smaller towns around the area.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +1

      i’m surprised you’re allowed to busk. I thought that was illegal in most parts of Germany. It was like that in Hamburg when I lived there.

    • @peppik
      @peppik 8 днів тому +1

      @@shatnershairpiece It's illegal in some towns but not everywhere. Most of the big cities have bylaws regarding busking. If you follow the rules everything is ok. After a while you know where to go and where not. The only strictly forbidden thing is busking with amplification. But even here you can bend the rules. Same in Italy or Ireland. Europe is a good place for busking, especially Germany where you have pedestrian areas all over the place.

  • @A.I.N.A.C..
    @A.I.N.A.C.. 8 днів тому +2

    Man that's rough, i was out busking today in a closed down shop. deep and wide doorway, 8 Degrees, pouring rain, blowing a F5 to F6 Did a 3 hr stint. I come out specifically in the depressing weather to brighten people's day (including myself)Alot Tamer here in Jersey Channel Islands, but bieng ignored ALOT...due to heads in screens is the same!

  • @gragor11
    @gragor11 9 днів тому +3

    I don't live there so I don't get to see this on the scale you do. I'm glad you made a video about this. I'll share it.
    And as it is a negative video look forward to lots of likes ;) Thanks for posting.

  • @Deliquescentinsight
    @Deliquescentinsight 9 днів тому +2

    The man with the Parker Fly! Good on you mate, I wish you all the best: it is the same all over the world, I am in Perth Australia, a few bands still play but you are right - music is dying.

  • @michelegambini
    @michelegambini 9 днів тому +1

    I look at your channel on a regular basis as your music is simply FANTASTIC. I too, worked as s professional opera singer for more than 20 years and busking was around 90% of my income. Yes, it all went to pottie here in the UK since 2018 and all finished in 2020. Now I've gone back to supplement my income, but it's not the same, as you said, they are all hypnotised with their devices. Perhaps, we have touched the bottom of our decadent society, I see signs that the new generations are going back to the roots: Vinyl records and record players, CDS, etc. here in the UK music stores have come back, albeit just a few of them, those stores are mostly visited by 50 plus year olds and teenagers..!? You are doing well though, online is good, a bit cold, but a constant cash flow. WE ALL LISTEN WITH OUR HEARTS, and we are your audience, wherever we are.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      it can’t get much worse than it is right now in Canada so hopefully we are on an upswing this year. The new government needs to come in ASAP. I just sold one of my records from 1979 to a young guy who seems to be excited to have a record player

  • @The_Savage_Wombat
    @The_Savage_Wombat 9 днів тому +2

    It used to be nice to go to a cool little club/bar and watch a few bands.
    I miss those days.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  9 днів тому +1

      even when I had the band gigs I knew I should enjoy them and film them because I knew it would not last.

  • @LONEEAGLE_space_rock
    @LONEEAGLE_space_rock 9 днів тому +2

    Brilliant man

  • @carstenrohrer8324
    @carstenrohrer8324 9 днів тому +1

    When I See a Street Musician I spend some Time to listen...and when I Like what I Feel when I Listen I Always Spend Something...a Cigarette...some Coins (When I have Some) or a Coffee and a small Talk . Much Respect to People who do Steet Performance....often....IT will Touch my Heart deeply when I Listen to your Fantastic Improvisations .... May God Bless & Protect you and your loved ones.
    Thank you so much for Sharing ...❤
    (Sorry for my English)

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  9 днів тому

      consider yourself a rarity. thanks for the support!

    • @davekrochenski
      @davekrochenski 8 днів тому +1

      yea man, I do that too. The good players keep to themselves at home these days, post stuff online, outside we got hoards of people making noise on three unwound strings wraped around a neck for meth. There;s not alot of generosity I can reserve for them while they are there. Oh Winnipeg, when ever will you shine again?

  • @bruceobrien6604
    @bruceobrien6604 9 днів тому +1

    God bless you brother, I admire you

  • @berokm
    @berokm 9 днів тому +3

    Man, it seems things are very different here in México. I busk with my cello on CDMX and works well yet, and people aproach to me to let me know how grateful they are for making their day better, to thank and of course to give me a tip. Even just one rare time an elder homeless woman try to steal some money from my box but people didn’t let her go and she return the coins she got in her fit. In the other hand, busking in Brussels during the 3 months I was there, 2 different guys tried to steal from my box 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @andreabond3501
    @andreabond3501 9 днів тому +3

    Great content thank you

  • @wordzfailmebro
    @wordzfailmebro 9 днів тому +1

    Excellent to read these stories from fellow buskers.

  • @denjhill
    @denjhill 9 днів тому +3

    Not the Canada I grew up knowing. Never going back unless to one of the remote wonders.

  • @Camadian
    @Camadian 8 днів тому +2

    i really appreciate ya for making this. Great points brought up regarding AI, im not a fan of either. THough, may I ask why you'd opt to use AI overdub/narration rather than narrate it yourself?

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +1

      @@Camadian It’s much faster this way. Input a script and done. sounds better, more documentary like, with an old British accent. And it works. This quickly shot up to my number one viewed video.

  • @PhilipKendrick-le8qh
    @PhilipKendrick-le8qh 7 днів тому +1

    Dublin, Ireland would love you. But it's gone to the dogs too.

  • @Wilem35
    @Wilem35 8 днів тому +2

    Unfortunately everyone seems to want to be a rock or you tube star and the barriers to entry have totally disappeared.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      When I saw extremely lame 3 pin jugglers in gold paint on the street (right next to me) getting huge crowds and making way more money than I did improvising for an hour, I knew it was all over.

    • @A.I.N.A.C..
      @A.I.N.A.C.. 8 днів тому +1

      @@shatnershairpiece That's interesting as i am learning to juggle and ride my unicycle!
      Damn its boring learning too juggle! Throw/miss/bend down/repeat!

  • @ozzesty7314
    @ozzesty7314 8 днів тому +2

    Vancouver sounds like a real shit hole. Come to Sydney 🇦🇺 Buskers, if they are good always, attract a crowd. Lots of tourists.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +1

      What's a one bedroom rental cost in Sydney?

    • @ozzesty7314
      @ozzesty7314 8 днів тому

      @shatnershairpiece start at $300 per week.

  • @embah42
    @embah42 9 днів тому +1

    I'm wondering if any of those tv shows that have music competitions like american idol leave audiences with a negative perception of performers. I didn't watch any of those shows so I'm not sure what went on there.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      they promote performances and the audience loves them. but that’s a corralled audience instructed to cheer and clap. put most of these performers on a Vancouver street without a TV stage and they would be ignored.

    • @embah42
      @embah42 8 днів тому +1

      @@shatnershairpiece It looked like the show was more about the judges but maybe that's an initial impression

  • @rachel112263
    @rachel112263 9 днів тому +1

    You did not say "Spinal Tap Cocoon." Rock and Roll Creation is my fave. ❤

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  9 днів тому +1

      I bet you’re looking forward to the sequel!

    • @rachel112263
      @rachel112263 9 днів тому +1

      @shatnershairpiece Oooohhh!!!! Can't wait.

  • @rachel112263
    @rachel112263 9 днів тому +1

    I'm still laughing at your duo. It struck me. 😂😂

  • @warpspeed9877
    @warpspeed9877 8 днів тому +2

    Ι hope that just like USA, Canada escapes this woke phase. I really like this Poilievre guy and BTW I'm from Europe. Keep the faith!

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      It can't get much worse than it is now. so upswing has to happen.

  • @cosmicHalArizona
    @cosmicHalArizona 9 днів тому +1

    Best wishes.

  • @atheistconservative6211
    @atheistconservative6211 2 дні тому

    Wait til cash is replaced with all-digital currency. Gonna be impossible to buy, sell or tip without being fully monitored and/or denied

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  2 дні тому

      this won’t happen.

    • @atheistconservative6211
      @atheistconservative6211 2 дні тому

      @shatnershairpiece I hope not but that's the goal of the WEF, BlackRock, Vanguard, Bill Gates etc and all the other global!st plgs

  • @alexleighton7587
    @alexleighton7587 6 днів тому +1

    Disappointed your arch-nemesis Mr Lycra the Psycho Cyclist didn't get a mention lol. Kudos for all the shit you've had to put up with over the years just to earn a few bucks.

  • @noonebutHimallways
    @noonebutHimallways 8 днів тому +1

    Not the AI voice. 😅

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +2

      Maybe you’d prefer the AI voice I used in my video 14 years ago. ua-cam.com/video/7HLLYPadTYs/v-deo.htmlsi=7mcNE8Z0FHIxf_gl

    • @noonebutHimallways
      @noonebutHimallways 8 днів тому

      @ OK…. Now that’s funny. You’re a true pioneer. For real though I’ve been watching your videos for a while. Have you ever thought of traveling and checking out other cities? I find some cities are better for busking than others. Big cities tend to have more closed off people (especially in downtown areas.) there are some real rootsy, touristy places (in the US in particular) where busking can become a lot more open and fun. At least in my experience. God bless you

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      Travelling is extremely expensive. There is no way to afford that lifestyle unless you live in a tent as a solitary hobo, or KNOW someone in the city you are visiting that you can stay with. The only way it would work for me is to MOVE somewhere where busking is appreciated. I live here in Vancouver, so I have to put up with what the city IS. The only way to change it is to move, and that would mean an automatic increase in living expenses no matter where I go. Only Vietnam or the Philippines might be affordable. It's also very hard to find employment now, anywhere, so if you move, you better make sure you can survive on savings.

  • @AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69
    @AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69 8 днів тому

    There's a silent war on the artist. They hate the artist because art bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual. Like he who arts in the heavens they hate him too. I have to disagree with you though. The issue is the gig itself. People think you're a homeless guy. Money is tight for most right now. I wouldn't leave your cash out either. Also the internet is highlighting human depravity it's nothing new. Focus on the positive and beauty in life cause it's truly there if you've got the Eye to see it.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      If people thought I was homeless, I'd get a lot more money, because even beggars make more than I do. Have to leave some cash out or people don't connect that I'm busking for CASH. I do focus on the positive. This is why I mentioned signing up to Patreon for $9 a month and getting access to a lot more of my videos, ad free.

  • @thisislogout
    @thisislogout 9 днів тому

    We need that son of God person...ah, what's his name?... Oh, yeah..Jesus, to come back and make everything right again. We been overdue for a visit from him since the 1970's. 😅

    • @truetech4158
      @truetech4158 9 днів тому

      Cults are so fckd up.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому +3

      What we actually need is a new gov't, more cops on patrol, and forced drug addict rehabilitation.

    • @thisislogout
      @thisislogout 8 днів тому

      @shatnershairpiece Indeed! I think Jesus is telling us, "hey, you guys got yourself into this mess, you get yourselves out!" 😆😆😆

  • @cyclops-king-crap-music-videos
    @cyclops-king-crap-music-videos 9 днів тому +1

    People can't even Spell music

  • @ronald124
    @ronald124 7 днів тому

    I would disagree with your opinion about blaming phones and technologies. It is not them to blame.
    You should blame only people who use it. It is similar to the fact that we not blame the gun, we blame shooter.
    In addition I would say that in the past, people were not so busy, not so consternated on their own business. And now we see the opposite, people have constant connection with all the world, they are in constant race and competition with each other. So they HAVE to be online, to check every new news, to be up to date.
    Also, people today, have more chose what listen to. Imagine that you don't have a phone or a mp3 player and the only possibility to listen some music is to go to the bar or a concert, etc. Then well, of course you would go. Because you have no chose what to listen. You don't care. Maybe you don't even know about other genres, just listen what you can. But today people can have almost all possible music in one place, for no big money, in their phone. You can say that "yeah, they can listen their low quality shitty streaming music" and you will be right, but it is their chose.
    Question you raise is very often for professions that are very sensitive to technologies. Same now happens to art. And I think that you have no time to blame them, you should look for possibilities to abuse them. But I should not say this because you already use them. You have socials, you have lossless albums that everyone can buy, and you should continue. You should be everywhere, so the people that passes you walking down by street will listen your music in their headphones and not the others. There is no other way.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  7 днів тому

      that’s like saying I don’t blame fentanyl, I blame the people who use it. Of course phones are to blame. phones are made to addict people. no phone, no addiction. everything you said validates the phone as the problem.

    • @ronald124
      @ronald124 7 днів тому

      @shatnershairpiece Phones are not a problem. There are no problems at all. It's just how human psychology works. If you want someone or something to blame. Blame the evolution. Because people will constantly go further, go higher. And they will forget about everything that surrounds them. This is human nature.

    • @ronald124
      @ronald124 7 днів тому

      If you get rid of fentanyl, people who use it will find something else they can use instead. It's not like you magically get rid of some bad stuff and everything is alright. It is not how it works.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  7 днів тому

      if people followed your logic, they wouldn’t be banning cell phones in classrooms right now, would they? there are no problems at all? Maybe you haven’t watched my video which just talked about all the problems there are here. Phones are a problem, just like drug addicts are a problem.

    • @ronald124
      @ronald124 7 днів тому

      @@shatnershairpiece I watched your video, but I disagree only with this point. The reason for banning phones in the classrooms is to be sure that nothing distracts you and others.
      I just want to highlight that it is much more complicated and complex. Phones are not just toys or drugs. And you should not define that they are bad only because some people use it this way. Big companies are fine with that, as well as governments. Blame them.

  • @20alphabet
    @20alphabet 9 днів тому +2

    With any luck Canada will become the 51st state of the USA, and you can travel down here easier.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  9 днів тому +4

      well, entire west coast is just as bad as Vancouver. Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, all shit holes now.

    • @chadlyfe9771
      @chadlyfe9771 7 днів тому

      @@shatnershairpiece they all have something in common. Liberals.

  • @rachel112263
    @rachel112263 9 днів тому +1

    Give me a dollar or I'm voting for trump. 😂😂😂

  • @MegaTubescreamer
    @MegaTubescreamer 9 днів тому +1

    Tis a batshit crazy global society sadly, where the slender grasp
    upon reality is diminished daily..and wilfully it seems!!

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  8 днів тому

      Seismic shift in the world in 2020, like we went into a black hole and never emerged.

  • @chadlyfe9771
    @chadlyfe9771 7 днів тому

    To be fair most musicians in Vancouver voted for this then get surprised afterwards things get worse.

    • @shatnershairpiece
      @shatnershairpiece  6 днів тому

      I'd be surprised any musicians in this city even vote.