Week 12 1/2: Evan Goh - The Laid-Back Busker

A new week, a new face! This time round we had the chance to chat with Evan - a laid-back busker, and an English major alumni from NTU. As a frequent bar performer, his passion for music is evident and eventually led him to give busking a try.

Can you tell us more about how you started busking?

“I first started busking last august to give myself a platform to play music whenever I wanted to. I had extra time and thought that busking could complement my other jobs.”

With busking becoming a common sight, he did some research online before applying to NAC for a busking license. He felt drawn to busking as it was an honest and simple platform. “At open mic sessions, the audience are usually more supportive since they are singer-songwriters themselves. With busking, people on the streets don’t owe you anything. So if they do stop to hear your performance, it can be quite rewarding”.

Evan confessed that his first busking experience was rather “idealistic”. “Since I was so enthusiastic, I sang up to 8 hours but fell sick almost immediately after. I eventually became realistic with the hours, so now I do only 2-3 hours each time”. Location wise, he says that he prefers performing at heartland areas. “With the city crowd, everyone is rushing from point A to point B. At places like Yew Tee, the uncle and aunties tend to be more relaxed and would stop to listen to a performance”.

Audition Experience

Every busker goes through an audition process to obtain busking licenses from the National Art Council. For Evan, the audition process was very brief. “In general, I felt that the NAC were looking to see how seasoned you are as a busker and how familiar you are with your equipment. It’s not just about singing but how you manage the performance on your own”.

Do you think that licensing should be made mandatory?

“It would be nice if we don’t have to apply for it,” he said but acknowledges that licensing is necessary for NAC to maintain a level of performing standard on the streets and to avoid attracting street beggars.

Busking = Beggar?

The initial reaction to his busking choice was similar to how many Singaporeans felt.

“Aiya, why are you playing music on the streets instead of in a bar?”

“The truth is sometimes very different from what we expect”, he challenged. While it is true that performing at bars provides a more stable income, busking on a good day could bring in an acceptable amount with the added benefit of freedom. For example, you no longer have to worry about being late since the setting up time is entirely up to you.

Still, busking is seldom seen as a legitimate job. Evan agrees with this since donations are inconsistent on most days. He shares that “busking is still a great way to brighten up the streets of Singapore and a way for buskers to market ourselves. For me, I have received several opportunities through busking (corporate, wedding events)”.

Busking and the Community

As a busker, Evan often had to negotiate with the people around him. Some examples include noise complaints from nearby residents (which he dealt with by facing the music away in another direction and turning the volume down) and having to face busking territorial issues. Specifically, he found that it is often easier to negotiate and have a conversation with younger buskers than older ones. He once encountered an elderly uncle who demanded him to move, citing that it was “his usual busking spot”. Evan eventually surrendered and moved to avoid conflict although NAC’s guidelines state that busking is done on a first come, first serve basis.

Still, Singaporeans are generally a supportive lot and he felt that people often surprised him. “We always think that Singaporeans are selfish or unfeeling but sometimes many of them are just shy.”

Local audiences might not always compliment or clap after a performance but they do donate. “I find that support is better reflected by the number of times people donate and not by the actual amount. It’s about convincing someone to reach into their wallets to give you something and that means a lot” he reflected.

Final Thoughts

Before he left, Evan wanted the public to know that many buskers these days are there by choice and would appreciate it if more people showed support. At the end of the day, Evan’s focus in on the music. “Music should always come first. Work on providing good music and performances…and the rest will follow.”

With the last few interviews rolling in, we can't help but feel that buskers have contributed a lot to make our mundane streets much livelier. Their passion for music is admirable and we do hope that Evan and the others continue doing what they love to do :)