Letter to the Editor: Waterford city through a busker's eyes
Dear Editor,
Yesterday, I was practising new songs for my set and reflecting on the joy of singing, and on how grateful I am to the people of Waterford.
I have been busking for a number of years now. Over that time, I have become familiar with different locations, learned what people enjoy in those spaces, and discovered what works best for me. I am primarily a singer and find that performing to backing tracks in larger spaces suits me best. I reserve my guitar or piano for more intimate settings. I also sing as a cantor around twice a month in St Joseph and St Benildus Church in Newtown.
Busking has evolved as an art form with the introduction of licences, council guidelines, and our move towards a more cashless society. My own response has been to include a Revolut QR code on my sign, while others have found different ways to adapt. I also operate by a set of personal rules shaped by experience: not to play too loudly, not to dominate a space or restrict other buskers, to perform music that is appropriate for all audiences, adjusting lyrics where necessary, not to use the same spot more than twice a week, and, of course, not to stay longer than two hours. Singing is best not continued much longer than that anyway.
As a busker, I aim to create the kind of atmosphere in town that people want to spend time in. It is that sense of presence that I feel when I am singing. I think about the words in each song, how they apply to stories from my own life or experiences I have witnessed, and I tell those stories through music. I look up at the sky, watch the birds swoop overhead, and feel present, sharing my own little world.
I even find myself dancing sometimes. For those moments, I have fashioned a ribbon on a stick to make that part look a little better. I look around and feel I have done a good job when I see people put away their phones, smile, watch, interact with one another, dance with their children, or quietly sing along as they pass. It feels like our town again, with people truly being in it.
People talk to strangers on benches, and I become the icebreaker. I have made many new friends this way and met countless Waterford people. I also meet tourists and hear what they are saying about our city. Just to mention three local characters: there is John, who always loves a bit of Elvis; Johnny Cleary, who nearly always just resists the urge to dance; and Sam, who once asked me to learn his favourite song, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, for whenever he comes around. I love taking requests when I know them.
While busking, I can also sense the mood of the town, whether things are going well or badly for people, from those experiencing homelessness to business owners and workers. It is a real ear-to-the-ground experience. My favourite spot is between Penneys and Costa. I meet all sorts of people there, whether they are waiting for family members who are shopping or simply sitting for a while, sometimes for my entire set, on the benches in Red Square or at an outdoor café.
I have heard so many stories about how the music has made people feel and the memories it brings back for them. People have said the kindest things to me. They have complimented me, danced and sung along to the upbeat songs, and thanked me for the deeper ones. I feel it all the more when I perform my own material. In truth, I feel the thanks should come from me. It is genuinely a privilege and my favourite thing to do.
As I say on my sign, I am a singer-songwriter, music teacher and producer. I have a studio at home and a website, kateostudio.com, where I post details of upcoming performances and opportunities for students, including open mic nights and other events. While I have joined many musicians in boycotting Spotify, I have recently released a new single, Message in a Bottle, on Bandcamp. My album, The Art Studio Mix, is also available there and features original songs from my live set.
As the weather begins to turn and conditions are not always ideal for busking, I simply wanted to take the opportunity to thank the people of Waterford for the enjoyment I have had singing for you all. It truly makes me love being alive. I feel completely free and at home with myself.
Thank you,
Kate O'
