This genuine Aussie talent … and Tassie busking laws

The Time for Tassie Talent

It was a miserable Saturday morning. The smell of fresh jam donuts was in the air and heckles were harsh on the ears of the people walking through the streets.

Half-asleep, an electrifying chill ran up my spine when I heard it.

This all-consuming folk voice had captured my full attention.

I gravitated towards the small crowd and stood there mesmerised by this barefooted boy, so raw and so incredibly gifted.

I threw my crinkled ten-dollar note in his guitar case and picked up a CD.

It was the best 10 dollars I had ever spent.

I could immediately tell that Jed Appleton was more than a busker.

He is culture creator. A mood-maker. And a genuine Australian talent.

A stereotypical view of Tassie to us ‘mainlanders’ is an ice-cold place full of old people with absolutely nothing to do.

Jed Appleton’s music changed that for me.

His sound is unique and I reckon he is one of the greatest tourist attractions Tasmania has.

Recently Jed was asked to leave his number one spot at Salamanca Place, Hobart, due to one complaint that his music was too loud and was not being performed during market hours.

He did this willingly.

But the reality for a busker living off the coins of passers-by isn’t so feasible when you can’t be heard.

Hobart City Council’s current laws regarding the area of Salamanca only allow performances for 20-minutes from 8.30am to 3pm on a Saturday.

The other six days of the week these ‘musos’ are left trying to nab one of five designated spots in the entire city.

Jed has played all over the country and throughout other parts of the world and admits Hobart has the “worst rules” out of them all.

Living in Melbourne I have full appreciation for the tempo busking sets.

Whether you’re a lost tourist, a busy businessman on a medicating coffee break or a slack school kid, busking has the ability to unite all people.

In Melbourne you will rarely pass a city corner without a street performer standing there.

That is because Melbourne allows for amplified busking from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and even later during weekends.

Unamplified performing is encouraged 24 hours a day.

There is something comforting about walking down a cold dark street during the early hours of the morning and hearing the soothing sound of a guitar strum bouncing off the unoccupied buildings that surround it.

The people of Tasmania wouldn’t know this feeling.

They only allow their talented Tassie community members to perform from 11am to 3pm and that’s without an amplifier.

Jed Appleton’s voice can earn him up to $570 an hour when amplified.

But unamplified presents a different set of results. Standing their sharing his passion with the world for a measly $13.

Doesn’t seem quite right.

In recognition of this Jed took to social media to organise a petition whereby the council would have to allow him to busk at Salamanca Square. And amplified.

He closed the petition at 830 supporters from around the globe after the council finally contacted him.

He will be meeting with them on November 14 to discuss these ridiculous regulations and what they mean for our much-loved and treasured musicians.

Among the hundreds of others in support of his cause, Felix Blackman from Hobart said, “Street life, music, art and culture are what create a vibrant city. It is in the interest of the city to support a vibrant, reactive, and open-minded street music program.”

The council shouldn’t be depriving people of this experience.

This is a battle for not only Jed but also anyone in Tasmania trying to make a living off performing and doing what they love.

Support from the council results in support for the people that make the city what it is.

Follow Jed on Facebook and get behind his cause at:

Chanel Kinniburgh* is a 19-year-old RMIT Journalism student, living between both Melbourne and Hobart. She believes the opportunity to give voice to people is a true gift and is committed to telling people’s stories.

• Philip Lowe, in Comments: Does anybody still remember Anthony Day the Dancing Man and what the council did to him? They crucified him on the alter of bullying political correctness until he just couldn’t take any more. God Bless Anthony; rest in peace and dance across the universe. A generous, misunderstood young man,

• Nick McKim, in Comments: #4 Yes I still remember the Dancing Man. Here’s what I said in parliament after he died so tragically. Vale Anthony Day …