The Noise Beneath The Apple

The Noise Beneath the Apple™ TNBTA is a global e-zine that focuses on the people, players and politics of busking and street performers. Believing that busking is a collective adventure, social commentary and political statement. Street performing promotes culture, preserves community and creates an environment for our ever changing times and human evolution. Their subject matter is produced by a team of passionate bloggers, music professionals, policy makers and enthusiasts from around the world.

Heather Jacks and photographer Bryan Close came by Staten Island Ferry terminal last week to meet and film me for this amazing project.

The Green Apple 

I am excited to be asked to write a blog on TNBTA.  I'm particularly interested in sustainability and how we can make our world more environmentally protected.  You might have seen my Sustainability section on my site where I share stories, information and links on how to learn to make a difference.  On The Noise Beneath The Apple, I call it "The Green Apple."

Here's my first blog and there's even a free download MP3 of my song 'Comin' Back To Me.'

check back for more blogs and great exposes on some pretty great subway performers.

thanks Heather 

how about liking The Noise Beneath The Apple facebook page too.

City of Angels

The other day I was hoofing my subway gig stuff up a set of stairs at 35th st and a woman asked if she could be of help.  It's a rare request, maybe because I look like I know what I'm doing, but even the gesture to ask is welcome.  This warm hearted woman lifted up the back end of my cart and up we went lighter than usual, in spirit and in physical strain.  We chatted briefly about how hard it is to get around with anything of weight in this city.  I am always in awe of people (mostly women) carrying precious children in strollers around the archaic and underdeveloped access into our mass transit system. 

Thank you my subway angel.

Yesterday while traveling to Columbus Circle I met lovely people from San Francisco needing directions to the Central Park carousel.  We struck up a conversation on the B train to Columbus Circle.  Recently I watched a clip by Luke Rudowski (wearechange.org) who decided to talk on a subway car with people he chose arbitrarily, because in his words, "nobody ever talks to each other, no eye contact, no interaction, no humanity." He wanted to prove himself wrong. Maybe it was with his experience fresh in my mind that I was comfortable to chat across the car.  I knew people were listening.  We all do, we just don't appear to be tuning in.  We protect, we insulate.  Hey it was a nice conversation that was sparked by a girl with a guitar on a shoulder lugging a roll-y bag and nice people wanting to find a NYC treasure. 

A subway performer sees the best of people, the smiles, the spontaneous conversations, unlike in a subway car filled with strangers trying to get where they are going with the least resistance.  By adding music and a live performer, the resistance is broken down, it's a common denominator, it's safe, no one gets hurt, there's nothing to do if you don't like it but to move your feet away.  

Through My Eyes

What do I see in performing underground, in public spaces? People who are getting from one place to another, multitasking, talking, lugging, running, ear buds playing another song, people can still hear their surroundings, just with an added track. Excuse the pun.  Why not layer live music in this life way?  Un-perfectly played out in the exact opposite of a recording studio where pure acoustics, frequencies reign with nothing out of place that you can’t erase.  Underground the sounds are fierce, undeniably raw, sometimes elegantly played out even with a turnstile gate siren pulsing its screech, or the rumble of a nearby train.  Like fingerprints always different never the same. Random.

And the people who pass everyday, play out their own soundtrack made of what’s in their head, and the obstacle course of exterior sound to challenge them.  We all add to the harmony, even when dissonant.  Most times Big Band and Symphonic like.

And people that discover me at my various locations have plenty of things to say.  Advice-be careful how much money to leave in my bag, Praise-how much they love the MUNY program, Emotional-a song I play might be a loved ones favorite. People who approach me to chat aren’t talking just because they have nothing better to do, they feel compelled to express themselves. Why? Live music right there in the midst of the chaos announces there’s another layer going on in the comings and goings.  Turnstile turnings and passing subway cars.

Human nature survival, the daily grind.

Whatever you want to call it.

Some see life as “it hurts.”

Others witness it as an “inspiration.”

Whether it’s “breathing” or “inner peace” or a daughter” or “music” or “me” or  “you” or “art” or “rapping” 

I’m full every day while performing for this kind of seen and unseen crowd.  Today you can find me at LIRR next to the flower stand, (Spring is here) 7th ave @34th st.  My other gigs are listed on this site

What Inspires You?

Inspired, a film NYC subway musicians

Hunter college students, Ingelou and Gila two women from Holland, came by and filmed me at Grand Central Shuttle recently, they had great questions and even captured a spontaneous jam from trumpeter David who was playing down the corridor.  They also feature other NYC subway musicians.  They did a wonderful job of capturing the feeling of being a subway musician.

They shared with me what inspires them,

here's their inspiration clip

Documentary Film on NY Street Musicians

Carl Kriss and Chris Viemeister stopped by to film me performing underground on a few occasions last year for a feature documentary film about New York street musicians.  The title "Give and Take" comes from a lovely description that what we do gives more than it takes.  I love that.   The film features many of my friends.  I'm excited the film now completed, has been chosen to be the the first screening at SENE Film Festival in Rhode Island April 6-10.  Here is the link to the festival, check it out.

And the trailer:

Give and Take- Trailer (Rough) from Carl Kriss on Vimeo.

and a fun interview of film maker Carl Kriss in Interview Magazine by By MICHELLE ONG

The Underground World of NYC Subway Musicians

Christopher Roberts Matthews who blogs about money and music 

I found his post online about NYC musicians in the subway.  As a performer with MUNY since 1999 I find the unique environment of performing as part of the daily soundtrack compelling and engaging. It's certainly never boring.  I find NY'ers generous with their spirit as much as with their coins.  Thanks for the post

by Christopher Roberts Mathews

The tension between art and commerce has a storied history, but nowhere is it more conspicuous as the New York City Subway. The city’s underground teems with musicians, artists, and performers soliciting donations for their work.

Some, like singer and ukulele player Crow Joe Ryan, make their living from the coins and dollar bills subway riders toss into his tin. Others use the forum to promote their careers above ground.

These public performers call themselves “buskers,” a word derived from the Spanish verb “buscar” meaning “to seek.” They’re somewhat of an anachronism in a world where hit songs can be downloaded for under a dollar, but are more often procured for free.

With the various business models that musicians have come to rely on buckling under the pressures of the internet and the explosion of the number of forms of entertainment, busking has stayed more or less the same. “I haven’t noticed any difference,” in the amount or kinds of people who play in the subway says violist Willy Naess, who has been busking in New York for ten years.

It seems odd that in a world where world-famous musicians have trouble convincing their fans to spend 99 cents for a professionally-produced hit song that amateurs could make any money at all playing in the subway. But there is something about a musician confronting you with their art that seems to motivate people to donate money. “I think some people appreciate another human being putting themselves out there and trying to contribute something of beauty to the work day of New York,” suggests Elizabeth Rogers, a busker associated with Music Under New York (MUNY), a program run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority which auditions and selects over 100 musicians to put on weekly performances in the some of the busiest subway stops in New York.

MUNY has been promoting music in the subway since 1985 and has “garnered great enthusiasm from the commuting public,” according to its website. Performers selected for the program are given personalized banners to display where they perform, but their compensation is no different than any other busker: what passersby deem to throw their way.

Glenn Roth, a fingerstyle guitarist and MUNY performer, sees benefits far beyond the few dollars he makes in an afternoon of playing. Playing in highly visible locations like Union Square is “the best free advertisement there is out there,” he says. Roth plays several gigs a week, including weddings, corporate events and club dates, but he says the subway is one of the best places to attract new fans and sell CDs.

The subway is a unique place in modern society where people are relatively undistracted. Most riders are cut off from the internet while underground. They commute armed with just a book or their thoughts to entertain them. Naess uses this dynamic to his advantage. He traverses the subway cars themselves playing Bach cello suites, finding he makes more in the confines of the car then when he used to play on the platform. He sees people giving money for a variety of reasons: some people are just generous, but others are pleasantly surprised to hear classical music on their commutes. “People say to me, ‘that was actually really good. I wasn’t expecting to give you anything, but here’s a dollar.”

Rogers believes that busking is unique in the personal connection it can foster between a musician and an audience. Passengers aren’t expecting to hear something that moves them, that makes them pause and reflect. “We live such busy lives, and people tend to just go go go. I’m doing something to help someone slow down a moment and notice this moment . . . to support them to just be there.”

posted 11/23/2010

Christopher Roberts Matthews blogs about money and music 

R Train To Park Slope

I am happily back in NYC restarting my subway gigs today (Staten Island Ferry), you can check out my locations and performances on this site under the heading Gigs. Last night on my way to tech rehearsal for this Friday and Saturday's performance at BAX, I took the train and marveled at the power of people, community and song. With a notepad always at the ready, here's what I jotted down:

Remnants of winter storms

potholes

strange ice bumps on sidewalks and streets

old brown snow hardened mounds, no fluff

granite like the city's bedrock

Dogs in sweaters

misplaced glove

R Train to Brooklyn

subway performer strums a Mexican folk song

woman next to me hums sweetly

I can hear it, subconscious nostalgia

next stop another performer enters

muffled into the bodies down the car

"Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound..."

smokey, Billie Holiday voice

wandering closer, spirit full

eyes blind, plastic bucket in one hand

walking cane in the other

"We've Only Just Begun To Live,

White Lace and Promises..."

my heart swells

She asks to no one in particular what stop this is.

Jay Street, next stop Dekalb Avenue

as she passes I say in her direction, beautiful voice

Thank you she replies, then repeated a heartfelt

Thank you

how Escaped cows compare to commuters

Life for me isn't always underground, I enjoy heading upstate to write and be with family. On New Years weekend I awoke to see the local farmer's cows grazing across the street having broken out of their pasture. Needless to say they needed to be herded home, so Michele and I did what we do best as a team, we figured it out.

The picture was taken on one of the more lighter moments, when the cows seemed comfortable being led home and this NYC Subway Girl was smiling.  

Ask me if there's a difference between rushing commuters and a herd of cows......actually after the chaos everyone is just happy to be heading home. 

Happy New Year

Interview on Northeast Public radio

Thursday September 9th at 1pm on wamc radio 1 hour radio interview of subway chat 'In Conversation with Alan Chartock,' part of WAMC's Speakers' Corner  

tune in online   Listen Live

Why do I perform in public spaces?

Since the first question most people ask is "Why perform in the subway?" I thought, I'd share more about why I perform in public spaces and the program I work under:

Music Under New York is a program within Arts For Transit. Tim Higginbotham of MUNY has been a tireless organizer and passionate street musician supporter. He and Scott's amazing work keeps this program alive, exciting and thriving.  If you have ever been touched by this program leave a comment below, or consider writing a letter to the MTA expressing your support as a commuter for this essential program.  As a recent commuter said while passing me "live music for the price of a swipe!"

Music Under New York works within the Arts For Transit which commissions the rich and beautiful mosaics including other art installations found throughout the city. Kudos to Sandra Bloodworth director Arts For Transit, assistant director Amy Haussmann and Lydia Bradshaw Manager, MTA Arts for Transit and Music Under New York.

I joined the roster after auditioning for the program in May of 1999.  Every two weeks I select from various locations where I would like to perform. 

I have many favorite spots and you might find me at Grand Central Station Shuttle, Times Square, Union Square, Astor Place, LIRR and 34th street and a new favorite the Staten Island ferry terminal.  

I participate in “Music Under New York", because the connection is a very different experience than performing on a stage.  Not to mention that it's a deconstructed approach to the music industry. Underground, commuters and I are collaborators in a musical, rhythmic, spontaneous soundtrack.  To many people, a street performer is a struggling artist, for me it's a moment without struggle. I bask in the void of promoters rules, of complicated and heavy equipment, of the music industry's opinion, and a singer song writer's freedom to do what I love to do.  I applaud the MTA's support of this program.

If you're looking where to find me, I always post my subway performances on my gig page- Gigs link at the top of this page.

Here's an older blog I wrote for a student asking great questions about subway performing.

The MTA also presents the wonderful program Poetry In Motion I love seeing the poetry in the subway cars, lyrical, thought provoking, funny.  Important.

For videos of other artists click here

For links of other artists click here

MTA Arts For Transit has a facebook fanpage

photo montage by Geraldine Petrovic

Alice Tan Ridley Music Under NY's got Talent on TV tonight

Tonight is a very exciting night on TV for anyone who has heard Alice Tan Ridley perform in the subway.  With a unanimous vote from America's Got Talent judges last April, she now moves on to the audience vote phase of the program. Of course all of us in the Music Under NY program which she has been involved with for the past 20 years, are beyond thrilled for her. She has shared with us her belief that what we do underground "keep hopes alive and dreamers dreaming." You bet.

Watching her audition (see the clip below) I couldn't help but remark  that when she walked onto the stage and Sharon Osbourne asked Alice "What do you do for a living?" and Alice said "I'm a singer." The audience gave some modest applause.  When Sharon further asked, "Where do you usually work?" and Alice replied "In the subway." There was a strange silence, no one knew how to react to that information until Alice opened her mouth and not even 3 notes into singing the audience went wild. Hard to believe for many people that someone that sings in the subway could ever have this kind of talent. Guess that's what you get for under promising and over delivering. From that point on, everyone heard what we know here in NYC. Alice Tan Ridely has an amazing voice, a poise and wit that goes way beyond what ever happens on America's Got Talent show tonight.

Alice's auditioned with the Etta James song "At Last," written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, which ends with the soulful heart filled line "you are mine at last." Fitting, very fitting, after tonight millions of people will know why.

Watching this clip on Youtube from her audition aired June 15 2010, as of today July 20th, it has been viewed 717,617 times.  How's that for an audience.  I love one comment left under the clip  "If I heard a voice like that on the subway everyday, I'm not buyin' a car."  Well that's one way to help reduce our addiction to oil. I can see the headlines now, "Subway Singer Solves Energy Crisis." 

PS I wrote about Alice last November here's the blog

Update

on 2010-07-23 00:51 by NYC Subway Girl

Well the news is great, Alice has made it into the semi-finals of America's Got Talent.  Congrats to Alice, can't wait to watch the rest of her wonderful ride!

Update

on 2010-09-03 02:55 by NYC Subway Girl

Alice's run at AGT is now at an end, but it's not the end for her amazing talent, no way.  Of course there's disappointment but as I wrote to Aice in an email "I am so proud of you and your amazing performances on AGT. This will be a spring board to so many other things.  I'm sure you're disappointed not to move on, but you inspired so many people with your amazing voice and character." 

I'd love to get Alice to record and Inspiration for this website.  Will keep you posted.  Alice let me know if you're game!

Bobby The NYC Carriage Horse is saved from slaughter

If you don't know, I have a section on this site for guest bloggers.  This week I am featuring an amazing and moving story by Elizabeth Hess about the rescue of Bobby a NYC Carriage Horse, now happily roaming around a grassy pasture in upstate NY instead of being someones dinner.  No kidding.....

When people ask if I'm playing in the subway I say.  "if it's too hot for the carriage horses to work, NYC Subway Girl listens."  So I love to be able to share this story about the fate of one lucky horse.  

Thanks to Elizabeth Hess for her tireless work in saving animals and writing so eloquently about them.  And to Rural Intelligence who first printed the story.

click here to read the story

Update

on 2010-10-29 15:47 by NYC Subway Girl

I visited Equine Advocates in Chatham, NY this week and had an amazing tour from none other than director and visionary Susan Wagner.  I met Bobby the rescued carriage horse, now living in horse heaven, he looks fantastic and happy.  On November 6th, Equine Advocates is having an amazing benefit and dance performance with horses, if you're in the area should not be missed.  Actress Joan Allen is hosting, follow this link to learn more.

Piano's all over NYC to play until July 5th

"Play Me I'm Yours" is an 'art' installation you're supposed to touch!  Where you can play on any of the 60 donated and decorated upright pianos that are installed throughout the city June 21st  until July 5th. Created by artist Luke Jerram this is a fantastic way to let people express themselves through music in public spaces.

If you've been following my blogging, you'll know how strongly I believe in Art in public spaces. It is so important, and a wonderful way to get everyone to stand up and take notice of our creative abilities. Why not activate our senses without needing to believe we could be the next American Idol, or dream to be a rock star? How about music and art for the purest sake that it makes us happier, healthier, calmer and more peaceful.  All things we could use a lot of these days.

So you thought the painted cows that popped up all over the city years ago were cute, or you hated them.  I actually had to perform in front of one in Grand Central, but I digress... get out and play a piano.

Produced by a New York based non profit group called Sing For Hope  “Arts Activism in Action.” Their Social Change mission: Art as a catalyst for charitable giving, community understanding, and positive change in individuals, organizations, and our world.

How about bringing along a parent, grandparent, neighbor or friend to tinkle the ivories-who has a piano these days, and if they do, think apartment living, got to be tough on space and neighbor tolerance.  But people used to, and it was common to stand around a piano to listen and sing.

For locations throughout the city: streetpianos.com

I plan on getting out there and playing this summer while I'm also wandering around unlocking special places with my Key To The City. I'm a lousy pianist, but I love to play and unashamed of my dinking on the keys.

NYC Subway Girl gets Key To The City

Today I got a key to the city designed by artist Paul Ramirez Jonas, and a ‘passport’ with pages full of the mysterious places that the key will unlock, all over NYC.   Ever curious for locating public creativity in all forms, art that is inspiring, art that says anyone can experience, I came upon the Creative Time Kiosk this morning after a chiropractor appointment.  The kiosk would open at 2pm so I put it in my head to return.   What I didn’t know was the project opened last night, nor that my back was too sore to really lug my EQ to Grand Central Station for my allotted gig 12-3pm. 

Guilty for canceling my gig, I thought “well I can stand,” so I headed to Times SQ at 43rd ST and got in line.  It was pretty long, began chatting with now new friends Margit and Alexzandra and later joined by Luz Maria.  In order to receive your key it has to be ‘bestowed’ upon you by someone else, you can’t just pick up a key, but also have to add in an ‘in consideration of’ clause.  Alexzandra gave me my key, writing in my passport, in consideration of “the fact that she is NYC Subway Girl!”  I gave Alexzandra hers in consideration of “her moving to NYC and needing special secret places to discover.”  What a great form of community.  I recommend going with friends, a partner, a family member, or just go it alone if you can, and meet someone like I did. At least chat with the people waiting there, find out a bit about them.  We all have our reasons to want a key to the city.  We all have stories to tell.

For me the fun will begin as I try to unlock all the wonderful places my key will unlock, like a lantern on a lamp post in Bryant Park, or a padlocked gate at Trinity Churchyard. Gracie Mansion?! Louis Armstrong house museum?! How about a mailbox in the Bronx! and meeting other key holders....more stories to tell!

I met curator Nato Thompson, and many of the crew of Creative Time who were about as buzzed as I was.  The best part is I chatted with the artist Paul Ramirez Jonas and he gave me his own inspiration for a clip I've yet to finish, but I'll give you a hint...monuments...more later.

Go get your key and get started unlocking NYC secrets

Alexzandra ponders where she'll go first to use her key..

Margit bestows Luz her key

Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa

Yesterday at 34th street station a vision from this city's past walked by as I was performing, a guy in a red beret and a jacket that read Guardian Angels.  As he passed me I called out, and he gave me his card. I asked him how long he’d been an Angel “34” years he replied. He took the escalator down behind me and I thanked him, but he was gone too quick before I realized it was Curtis Sliwa the original Angel.

What I wanted to say was, “You made a such difference in our city when I was riding the subways as a youngster.  Set the stage for me to sing and perform underground today safely, from South Ferry to 125th st!  I remember back in the day when riding the subway alone was crazy, or at least after 10pm (that was my own self imposed rule).”  Fortunately I had his card and sent him an email.  Of course now he’s got his own radio show and is still out there doing other things.

If you weren’t around in the sick days of muggings and violence daily in the subway’s you might not have known about the Guardian Angels.  But those were tense days, not that the police terror squad as a daily presence today in the stations (they were at 34^th st too) doesn’t make me tense for what they portend, but that’s another story for another day.  The city continues to adjust.

Now that’s a touch of history folks, still riding the subway!

Kids are soooo much fun, and I like horses too.

it's the kids that make me smile, their curiosity, their joy, their seriousness and silliness all at the same time.  I have captured some really fun moments, here's a few.

and guest subway performer Heidi Kole.

song Through My Eyes words/music C. Grier Singerfish Publishing SESAC

clip montage by Brendan Padgett