By Luke Voogt
After 38 years in music, winning Geelong’s Best Busker is Josh Dance’s proudest moment … “apart from writing songs,” he told the Indy recently.
“Even though they’re not well known my songs are my biggest achievement.”
The Corio busker won the CBD competition alongside 59-year-old Herne Hill drummer Nat De-Palma, from about 30 entrants.
“Nat’s a really good drummer,” Josh said.
“I think he was my secret weapon.
“He could be 20 – he’s got the energy and positivity of a very youthful man.”
Josh learnt the violin when he was nine and has played guitar since he was 12.
The 47-year-old has worked as gardener, fork lift driver and other jobs, but recently music has been his sole focus.
“I do quite a bit of busking in Lara and Ocean Grove, and sometimes Torquay,” he said.
Josh hoped the win would help him get his name out.
“Gigs in Geelong are very competitive to get – when it comes to original gigs there’s not much on offer.”
Josh moved “down the highway” from Collingwood to Belmont 12 years ago for a “sea change”.
“I was feeling very fenced in living in this inner suburban flat,” he said.
“I just gave up drinking. I had been drinking a lot since I was a young teenager.
“One morning I woke up in a park hung over with a dozen cans around me and that was the last time I drank.”
Josh said “music helped in a big way” to overcome his drinking problem.
“Putting that emotion and energy into a song as has always been a good therapy.”
He moved to Corio two years ago and loved living there.
“I was kind of worried,” he said.
“You hear a lot stories about drive-by shootings and stuff like that.
“I’m happy to say Corio’s a pretty good neighbourhood and you get your drongos everywhere.”
Josh met Herne Hill bricklayer Nat about six years ago.
“I was rehearsing with a band,” he said. “In walks this cocky individual and just says ‘hey I really dig the vibe you’ve got’.”
Nat, who will celebrate his 60th birthday this year, is still laying bricks – roughly 3,200,000 to date – and drumming for four bands.
He was stoked for Josh and surprised to be part of the winning act.
“I didn’t think old guys win these things,” he said.
“Normally it’s the younger people who win – and good on them – it inspires them to have a go at it.”
