Nick Broad: How did you come to busk?
Lena Walker: I started busking because music is my passion and I’d recently been inspired to master the guitar. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been enchanted by buskers. Also, I saw it as a challenge, trying to make busy people stop in their tracks and pay attention to my music.
I wanted to improve my singing, build up my repertoire and boost my confidence, so taking to the streets seemed like the perfect solution. When I got the all clear from my local council, I chose a sunny Saturday and went to town early to avoid competition for pitches. You can’t argue with Gold man & Silver lady!
NB: So, what was the first time like?
LW: Nerve racking! I had a set of 8 songs to play on a loop but it kept me going to think of the local charity I was supporting. At first I received comments like, “you’re gonna have to sing louder than that love!” so I upped my game. After half an hour, my voice had warmed up and I wasn’t so self conscious. I sang as loud as I could and got such a buzz from the crowd.
I stayed as long as my fingers could hold out and left the high street after 2 hours, with almost £40. Oh! And a bag of samosas offered by a little Indian lady to sustain me! It was a fantastic first experience busking and I knew I’d be back again to entertain my best critics – the people of Leicester.
NB: As a solo female artist, did you ever have any trouble?
LW: At first, my friends laughed when I told them I was going to go busking, I think because you’re really putting yourself out there, and doing so can make you feel vunerable. But now, I have a whole troup of mates that are happy to sing and shake buckets by my side and I even have a group of friends that have started busking independently.
During my early busking days, a friend jokingly came up to me and took a pound from my guitar case. Seconds later, he was grabbed on the shoulder by a well-built gentleman who asked, “Is there a problem here Miss?” It turned out that security in a nearby shop had been keeping an eye on me whilst I was playing. I laughed and said he was a friend but it was very reassuring to know there were people watching out for me in case there was ever trouble – especially being a lone female busker. I’m pleased to say, no one has taken a penny out of my case since!
The reactions I received from people who stopped to listen was straight & pure – without any hidden agenda. When you get such genuine feedback, you have your own instinct and if a comment seems to fit, then you can take it as constructive critisism. Being told to “belt it out” by people I didn’t even know spurred me on.
Busking has hugely increased my confidence. I’ve already exposed myself to hundreds & thousands so the sky’s the limit! I still get nervous, of course, but they’re good nerves, and I never let them hold me back.
NB: You went out to raise money for charity — tell me about it.
LW: So far, I’ve raised nearly £1,000 (and still counting) for an admirable charity called ‘Tilinanu’ – an orphanage set up in Malawi by a lovely Leicester lady. It’s heart-warming to know I can use my talents to help others. Every single penny goes to the children, so everyone who shows their appreciation makes a real difference to their lives. That’s what motivates me to carry on doing what I do. www.lovetilinanu.org.uk
NB: How would you say it has affected the lives of you and people arund you?
LW: It’s easy to get wrapped up in the tasks of everyday life and rush from A to B without taking in our surroundings, or to stop when we see or hear something beautiful. It happens to us all at some point, so I really enjoy slowing people down, making them stop, take a deep breath and smile. I get to be part of the soundtrack to their day!
With all the charity work I’ve been doing lately, I’ve thought more and more about setting up my own charity. Music is an outlet for me – a way to express myself and forget everything else that’s going in my life and focus on the sounds I’m creating. I’d love to help disadvantaged children and young people all over the UK who want to learn an instrument but cannot for whatever reason. If I could provide instruments, teachers, a safe space to learn and above all encouragement, I would not only be revelling in my passion, but igniting it in others!
Lena