VANCOUVER – JUNE (11): An anonymous busker, plays an unusual instrument, earning the approval of a young man on June 11, 2010, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Louder Later Project
Erica Wilk contacted us about her photo-book project in Vancouver. From what I’ve seen, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The following is text from an email I received from her recently. Below are some teaser photos from the book. I recommend going to her website to see more!
louderlater.ericawilk.com/
VANCOUVER – JUNE (12): Katie Wasiuk and Heidi Loos, a guitar and fiddle duo, play together June 12, 2010, on Granville and Smithe, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia.
On the surface it seems that busking is not highly regulated, in reality the politics around performing on Vancouver’s streets are many.
The vibrant music scene was one of the reasons I moved to Vancouver from Edmonton four years ago. After noticing the shutting down of several live venues and events due to new city by-laws, I was inspired to investigate the politics of playing on the streets, outside of privately owned venues.
This documentary project was started in June 2010 — during a time that busking in Vancouver was at a pivotal point of change. Progressing from unclear and restrictive regulations, to an open dialogue with the Downtown Vancouver Business Association, in order to give buskers better opportunities.
The project evolved into a book, featuring forty 35mm colour photographs. The book focuses on Vancouver’s street musicians, their stories and opinions on the then proposed designated busking locations, fluctuating regulations and sporadic enforcement. Their request is simply to have the right to play, and they would not mind if they could play louder and later too.
VANCOUVER – JUNE (2): Zane Barratt, sings and plays guitar with passion on June 2, 2010 on the corner of Burrard and Robson, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia. myspace.com/zanebare
VANCOUVER – JUNE (7): Awkwardly Perfect enjoy their first day busking on June 12, 2010, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia. myspace.com/awkwardlyperfectbc
VANCOUVER – JUNE (7): Jak Drum, plays the Jimbe in his favorite spot, and later gives an impromptu lesson to international, Kelly Han on June 7, 2010 on Granville, Downtown, Vancouver, B.C.
VANCOUVER – JUNE (3): Tim Etherington, poses for a portrait and strums as people pass, his voice echoing through the station on June 3, 2010 at Burrard Station, Downtown, Vancouver, BC myspace.com/timetherington
VANCOUVER – JUNE (8): Kanaska Carter, sings her own lyrics into the street on June 8, 2010. Downtown, Vancouver, B.C. kanaska.bandcamp.com
VANCOUVER – JUNE (11): Cliff Gibson (Chico) loves to play the blues and busks mainly for practice on June 11, 2010 on Granville, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia.
VANCOUVER – JUNE (4): D.B. Buxton, a well known street musician, plays a set on June 4, 2010 in a doorway on Granville and Robson, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia. dbbuxton.com
VANCOUVER – JUNE (11): Marc Stokes also known as Un-1 free styles at 2 am on June 11, 2010 on Granville, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia. un1music.com
VANCOUVER – JUNE (11): Ian, a beat box didgeridoo player turns up the volume on June 11, 2010, Downtown, Vancouver, B.C.
VANCOUVER – JUNE (6): Charles a man of few words plays riffs in the early evening, on June 6, 2010 corner on Granville and Robson, Downtown, Vancouver, British Columbia.