Things Are Lookin’ Pretty Good

JM

I found your Buskerworld website around early December last year and it got me inspired to head to the city from my comfortable surrounds in Boyup Brook (south Western Australia) to try my hand at busking. I had some work lined up for the summer, which had fallen through and being in the country, there is not a lot else going over the hot months. I said to my wife, “This is it, I’m off to play music in the big smoke!”

I took the time to build a traveling case that would fit everything I’d need for my performance and set it on wheels so I could push it around. The round wooden box my brother helped me make for the drum is a sight to see!

I play a unique style of blues / slide / banjo and thump a kick drum, while belting out original tunes.

It all started off with me busking in the streets of Perth and Fremantle, with just me, the banjo and drum. People really got into it and I got a lot out of it. The freedom that comes from playing to people who don’t expect to see you there was very cool,…. nothing better than screaming your lungs out in the middle of the city and not feeling like a freak.

I actually found that playing in Perth city (rather than Fremantle) worked better for me. I think it was because people kind of expect to see you in Fremantle where it’s known for buskers to play.

Over 6 weeks in the city, I met with some really cool dudes and developed a band. We called ourselves “The RubberBand” and I actually arsed a regular well paid gig, every Saturday night at a place in Northbridge, which helped the band become really tight. We’re all good mates now. I kept my solo busking up, as a great sound wrapped around the material I’d been working on.

I dragged my trusty Apple Mac, loaded with recording software and managed to get some studio time in to start work on some recordings. (When I say studio, I mean make shift space set up in my brother’s warehouse).

Christian Jones Song – Caution

This all happened in just 6 weeks!

I had to leave the city at the end of January to get back to reality and my wife and kids, but what a ride it was. Although it was hard to leave the band in Perth, I was glad to be out of the crazy city and back home. I managed to get through the summer, put a bit of cash in my pocket and keep things afloat.

I got a phone call from the guys a couple of weeks ago. It turns out the band has been getting together every week for a jam, working on new material, so I went up to catch up and lay some vocals down. They’ve become really kick arse, so I’ve scored a gig on a few big stages at the Bridgetown Blues Festival this year in November.

…. things are lookin’ pretty good!

Just wanted to send a note to say thanks for the inspiration dude, hope I can return the favor.

Cheers

Christian Jones