Street performing

It seems fitting that I finally talk about street performance as I have learned some of my life's most valuable lessons through them. One has to learn about the nature of entertaining in some way, mine was through monkey-play-in-street-plastic-tip-jar. Ok ok, I was obtaining unusual money from another source than the tip jar, but I still feel my emotions and growth are valid here. Joshua Bell I'm sure would agree with the humbling nature of performing for people who really couldn't give a rats a**.

Read this article from when Bell played in the metro and, hm.. to anyone's surprise?, no one cared. He made $34 though.... which is outstandingly more than he would have made in L.A.

Unlike the author of the above article, Kevin Hayden, I disagree with his tone when he states that "such 'art' is only heard once in a lifetime." The sooner anyone can stop thinking this way, the better. It is a privilege to have people stop their lives to listen to you, in a raw form (sin concert ambiance). To get people to stop their daily lives and give you time, when you're fully clothed, is the most beautiful thing in the entire world. And for any musician or artist to think that their music is "the sound of the gods and all are ignorant baboons who do not stop to listen" is preposterous.  

You see one thing that the world of classical musicians will not understand is that no matter what moving epiphany you're having in your head while playing, it's a lie to yourself and the world if you truly think that after taking away all the concert hall, concert dress, concert ambiance fluff, they would have even a remotely close experience. I'm not saying you cannot touch people or move people or reach people, but bottom line, their lives will always be more important than what you have to say. If what you have to say fits into their lives, bam. You have yourself a market.

Now the real amazing moments come from when: A. You have no money and the streets are basically the only thing you can do to eat- combined with: B. The sober, intelligent attitude it takes to understand just how incredibly mind-blowing A is. Unfortunately there are a lot of turned off brains playing on the streets. I completely understand.

So where am I going with this rant? I don't know, I have a hunger headache. All I can say is, Thank you L.A., thank you busy people, and thank you traffic noise. Without you I never would have found myself, my place, my voice, and my understanding of this incredibly insane path that I have chosen.