Day 24: Fighting a losing battle

Yesterday, I performed in Harvard Square for what was probably the last time this year, as the weather gets colder. It was 70+ degrees yesterday afternoon, but strong winds created quite the problem for me - I lost a dollar to the wind, and several times I had to adjust my equipment, which was repeatedly shifted by strong, swirling winds. I had moderate audiences at times, but most were teenagers, and so I made just $1. I also had to spend $10 for batteries as I had left mine at home, so I lost money on this particular performance. I had a great time, though, trying out some new songs from the album I'm currently working on, which will be due out on Belgian Man Records in June or July.

I have noticed recently as I've been singing in our school's choir (I'm a bass) that my higher range has dropped off significantly. I have lost about an octave off the top of my voice over the last two months, and it's frustrating to not be able to sing the same songs I used to without mangling them beyond repair.

After two years of performing, I am finally getting comfortable putting myself out there and singing publicly. It is certainly not a typical activity for a high school student, but I feel like I have become one of the regulars, part of a family of Cambridge street performers. Even when I have angered some of the others by playing too loudly, they have never been anything but helpful and respectful to me, and I feel that it's great that we have that sort of community despite frequently being in direct competition for donations.

Day 23: Fail, Fail, and More Fail

I really had some terrible luck on Wednesday when I decided to try performing in Harvard Square again...I first managed to forget my capo, which is essential for several songs, at home. Then, I discovered that every single one of my usual spots were taken, mostly by people with no busking license. I ended up sitting on top of a ledge about 10 feet up across from Hidden Sweets. My high-up perch made me essentially invisible to passers-by, who gave me just $2 over 2 hours.

However, there were a few interesting things. First of all, I was surprised to see Ray Magliozzi of the NPR show "Car Talk" sitting at a table outside a nearby cafe, listening. I've been a fan of his show since I was just a little kid, so I was pretty excited to see him there, though I didn't say anything to him. Also, a woman was sitting nearby with a (very cute) baby for a while. Every time I stopped singing, the baby started crying. It was very surreal to hear every pause filled with crying.

A good friend who has been in a couple of unsuccessful bands with me just got his busking license, so we may start playing together, probably doing just instrumental jams due to his lack of an amp.