Michael S.E. Elliott has made a living as a full-time musician in Kelowna.
He moved to the city last year and earned a majority of his money from busking, developing his persona as the Kelowna Busker.
But, the busking scene changed for Elliott after , which altered his perspective.
The Capital News caught up with Elliott to discuss the decision behind leaving his full-time job and why he decided to take it up in the first place.
Q:Why did you decide to busk in Kelowna?
A: Iº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™ve never performed that way before coming to Kelowna. I was making more money busking than any job I could secure here. I got way too comfortable though. I would be turning down gigs to busk.
Q: Comfortable meaning you didnº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™t need to challenge yourself?
One of the overall life lessons Iº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™ve learned is being comfortable is no good for me and I need to seek opportunities that make me uncomfortable. As it pertains to busking, I was turning opportunities down for myself because I love the idea of it. Thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s no agenda, itº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s volunteering your time as you wish.
Q: How was the ticket a turning point for you in your career?
A: The city rescinded the ticket but thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s still a warning on me for busking. If I continue busking the way I was previously, then Iº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™m liable to get another fine. Thatº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s effectively stopped me from making a living the same way as I was before because I canº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™t go to the same spots. But, itº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s a good thing in the end. It made me grow and challenge myself and Iº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™m much better off for it.
Q: But youº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™re still known as the Kelowna Busker?
A: I use that to market myself by. I still busk, but the difference is last year it was a full time job and this year itº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s a once or twice every week. Itº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s definitely changed for me.
Q: Will people look at you weirdly while youº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™re performing on the sidewalks?
A: Sometimes.
Q: What music do you like to play?
A: Everything. I like the challenge of song writing. I battle with this concept with people in my band all the time. Thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s two schools of thought which are both correct. The one school says music is creative expression so you open your mouth and whatever comes out, pours out. Thatº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s the art and I love improvising with people for that. The other side of it is I want to build a career in entertainment and that means people are paying money at that point. So that means if you go into a venue and thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s a $10 cover thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s an expectation. Itº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s not just all about creative expression, thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s other people in the equation now.
Q: How do you meet in the middle of the two theories?
A: Sometimes violently. Theyº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™re separate schools of thought and Iº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™ve had arguments with musicians in town. When you want to make it your job it becomes something else, I think. Thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s a responsibility for the people who pay money to see a live show to perform and entertain them well, but I also want to progress in a career so I have to make sure everything I put out is beyond my artistic expression.
Q: Why did you decide to live in Kelowna to become a musician?
A: Itº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s kind of a microcosm of society at large. You have news organizations that are local and focused locally. Also, the dichotomy and closeness (of rich and poor) is a recipe for something to come out of the creative scene. Itº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s beautiful, and thereº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s money here. Being an entertainer thatº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s what you need; the people with a disposable income to spend on entertainment.
Elliott performs for weddings, at vineyards and does solo performances as well as with his rock band, .
You may find him casually busking around Kelowna or at Doc Willoughbyº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s Public House.
Elliott is a part of the Capital Newº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s latest video project called Carliº¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Éç™s Corner. Every two weeks throughout the summer, reporter Carli Berry will interview local musicians in a quick Q&A on kelownacapnews.com. Email Carli at carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com to get involved.