The busker recalls that "[The mayor] said that when [he] voted on [the speaker in the underpass] there was no intention to interfere with musicians, but [he] were trying to discourage people from sleeping down there.”
For those not in the know, Ottawa's winter climate is quite unforgiving (witness the busker's handwarmers!), so this canned music must be pretty objectionable if it's aimed at driving homeless people out of a sheltered area in minus twenty degree weather.
It did seem to me to be a fairly busker-hostile set of comments that the article had raised. Only one mildy on the side of the busker!
Hamburg has been running canned classical music in the main railway station for a while with the publicly avowed intent of driving off loiterers... Even more depressing is the fact that it works! Some of the recordings aren't even that bad, but the sound quality, ambient noise and general locational stress would make it impossible to enjoy anyway. They don't allow buskers in the station areas anyway - doesn't stop everyone but...
As an aside, when will pubs realize that loud music which makes it impossible to hold a conversation will actually chase off many customers? It may be good for the bar staff who can hide themselves behind a wall of non-communication, but then the bar staff are rarely directly concerned about the success of the pub! I still remember wlaking past one poshish restaurant here playing exceptionally loud techno music - almost guaranteeed to chase off any potential customers in their target demographic. And the bar staff had it easy since there was no work to do... A dance club is of course a completely different scenario - I wouldn't go to one to talk! Sessions and all other forms of live music are of course also completely different.
Yes, the comments are inane. Having no idea what you're talking about seems to be a prerequisite for commenting at news sites.
The person who said that buskers should pay taxes is clearly unaware that 1) buskers need licences, the fees for which all go to the government anyway, and 2) the hypothetical taxes on a typical busker's take likely wouldn't even cover the corresponding wages for the government worker whose job it is to process the tax form.
There is only one location in Ottawa that requires a licence or fee and that's the Byward Market area. While I've seen Raymond Loomer, the Busker, play there the odd time, he usually plays in an underground pedestrian under pass not far from Parliament hill. Also, an argument can be made under Canadia tax law that his busker earnings, and not taxable.
By the way, his repertoire has almos no traditionalcontent and, for those interested he plays a Bflat Susato
"Hamburg has been running canned classical music in the main railway station for a while with the publicly avowed intent of driving off loiterers... "
I spent the night of my 21st birthday (in December) in Hamburg railway station, trying to sleep while holding firmly onto my guitar and backpack, en route hitchhiking from Denmark to the Mediterranean. I clearly recall that no additional deterrent seemed necessary with the winter wind blasting through.
So, TDM, Ottawa makes our recent busking setback look like small potatoes, eh?
"Since muzak/canned music falls into neither category, it should be banned by international convention.
Canada should be the first country to sign up!"
We'd be glad to, Mix, ilf we could just get our conniving Prime Minister to re-convene Parliament. There may be one or two issues ahead of this one, though...
Poor oldstrings - my commiserations! There are however a few corners which are a lot less windy once you get into some of the tunnels. The bus station (a few hundred meters away) does at least have a walled in waiting room, but I don't know if it is always open.
Live tin whistle vs. muzak
Live tin whistle vs. muzak
From my hometown, a story of a busker who took matters into his own hands when canned elevator music interfered with his business:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Busker+subpoenas+Larry+Brien+defence/2427028/story.html
The busker recalls that "[The mayor] said that when [he] voted on [the speaker in the underpass] there was no intention to interfere with musicians, but [he] were trying to discourage people from sleeping down there.”
For those not in the know, Ottawa's winter climate is quite unforgiving (witness the busker's handwarmers!), so this canned music must be pretty objectionable if it's aimed at driving homeless people out of a sheltered area in minus twenty degree weather.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by Tall, Dark, and Mysterious
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
Did you read the comments posted after the article? I liked the one who suggested that a busker's earnings should be taxed.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
There are only two valid reasons for having music - not just ITM, but any kinds of music:
1) For listening to.
2) For dancing to.
Since muzak/canned music falls into neither category, it should be banned by international convention.
Canada should be the first country to sign up!
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
Oh come off it ... there is a very long history of music being used as a weapon.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by ...
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
It did seem to me to be a fairly busker-hostile set of comments that the article had raised. Only one mildy on the side of the busker!
Hamburg has been running canned classical music in the main railway station for a while with the publicly avowed intent of driving off loiterers... Even more depressing is the fact that it works! Some of the recordings aren't even that bad, but the sound quality, ambient noise and general locational stress would make it impossible to enjoy anyway. They don't allow buskers in the station areas anyway - doesn't stop everyone but...
As an aside, when will pubs realize that loud music which makes it impossible to hold a conversation will actually chase off many customers? It may be good for the bar staff who can hide themselves behind a wall of non-communication, but then the bar staff are rarely directly concerned about the success of the pub! I still remember wlaking past one poshish restaurant here playing exceptionally loud techno music - almost guaranteeed to chase off any potential customers in their target demographic. And the bar staff had it easy since there was no work to do... A dance club is of course a completely different scenario - I wouldn't go to one to talk! Sessions and all other forms of live music are of course also completely different.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by Crackpot
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
you think you got it bad?about 10 years ago I saw Disney chase the bums out of Times Square at 5am with "Its a Small World"!
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by Nate Ryan
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
Yes, the comments are inane. Having no idea what you're talking about seems to be a prerequisite for commenting at news sites.
The person who said that buskers should pay taxes is clearly unaware that 1) buskers need licences, the fees for which all go to the government anyway, and 2) the hypothetical taxes on a typical busker's take likely wouldn't even cover the corresponding wages for the government worker whose job it is to process the tax form.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by Tall, Dark, and Mysterious
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
There is only one location in Ottawa that requires a licence or fee and that's the Byward Market area. While I've seen Raymond Loomer, the Busker, play there the odd time, he usually plays in an underground pedestrian under pass not far from Parliament hill. Also, an argument can be made under Canadia tax law that his busker earnings, and not taxable.
By the way, his repertoire has almos no traditionalcontent and, for those interested he plays a Bflat Susato
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by jigtime
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
"Hamburg has been running canned classical music in the main railway station for a while with the publicly avowed intent of driving off loiterers... "
I spent the night of my 21st birthday (in December) in Hamburg railway station, trying to sleep while holding firmly onto my guitar and backpack, en route hitchhiking from Denmark to the Mediterranean. I clearly recall that no additional deterrent seemed necessary with the winter wind blasting through.
So, TDM, Ottawa makes our recent busking setback look like small potatoes, eh?
# Posted on January 13th 2010 by oldstrings
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
"Since muzak/canned music falls into neither category, it should be banned by international convention.
Canada should be the first country to sign up!"
We'd be glad to, Mix, ilf we could just get our conniving Prime Minister to re-convene Parliament. There may be one or two issues ahead of this one, though...
# Posted on January 13th 2010 by oldstrings
Re: Live tin whistle vs. muzak
Poor oldstrings - my commiserations! There are however a few corners which are a lot less windy once you get into some of the tunnels. The bus station (a few hundred meters away) does at least have a walled in waiting room, but I don't know if it is always open.
# Posted on January 13th 2010 by Crackpot