Milestone Reflection: Challenges and Issues

After an insightful interview with busker musician Jarvis, our team came together to discuss and summarize various issues brought up during the interview. Here is a list of prominent challenges faced by buskers we have identified together with Jarvis. (Do note that this was came up with based on the interview with Jarvis and by no means represent the views of the entire busker population.)

1. Intrusion of personal space

Buskers face problems with personal security when individual bypassers intrude into their personal space e.g. Physical or verbal harrassment, taking photographs of their music scores, peering over their shoulders

2. Territorial disputes among buskers

Due to the lack of space and increased number of buskers in Singapore (especially at places with high traffic flow e.g. streets along Orchard Road and Somerset 313), buskers face the challenge of having a space to busk

3. High start-up cost

Starting on a busking career requires investment in expensive equipment such as having a proper sound system, which affects the chances of obtaining a busking license significantly. Not all buskers have the ability, or are willing to invest money into purchasing equipment because they are afraid of not being able to earn it back.

4. Negative perceptions by Singaporeans

Many Singaporeans still view busking as a form of 'begging'. As highlighted by Jarvis, it is not uncommon to hear people viewing buskers unfavorably and disapprove of them, due to the high risk and uncertainty involved. This perception is exactly what we set out to improve and change. As we are in the midst of assessing what exactly are the needs of buskers, and what they think is the best kind of solution for them, hopefully we will have an answer to this challenge towards the end of the project, after we have completed our interview process.

5. Starting a community

Jarvis noted the benefits of having a community of musicians who can interact and help each other strive in the local music scene e.g. the strong English music community in Singapore. Currently, the Facebook group ‘Singapore Buskers’ is set up by Singaporean busker Jonathan Goh (another of our interviewees) for buskers in Singapore to connect with each other and to provide information. However, the group is not widely known (it only has 34 members currently) and is not highly active.

We will continue to engage actively with interviewees to dig deeper into the joy and sorrow of busking. Stay tuned!