Despite being one of hundreds of Geelong buskers forced from the streets by the COVID-19 pandemic, Corio singer-songwriter Josh Dower considers himself lucky.
Since becoming a disability support worker in November he has put his talents to good use playing for clients.
“I’m extremely grateful that I get to use my music in my job – it just makes me so happy,” he said.
“I also have a couple of clients who I see that love to learn as well. You get an overwhelming sense of joy empowering them with music.”
A former member of local band The Hollow Majors and now a solo artist, Josh had two upcoming pub gigs cancelled because of the pandemic.
“Now’s a time when musicians will be going underground, writing, recording and doing the nitty-gritty of what needs to be done,” he said.
Josh last took the streets of central Geelong in late March when restaurateurs were “stacking up chairs” and the city was becoming a “ghost town”.
While a couple of people chided him for playing, most of about 30 people he saw were “more appreciative” than usual to see him “dishing out happiness”.
“I don’t do it for the money, I just do it for the joy,” he said.
Other buskers, such as Steve Thew, have taken to social media to earn a little coin while performing instead.
“A lot of people I know are doing it,” Josh said.
“There’s nobody out, so it’s really not worth [busking] at the moment.”
While buskers can still apply for permits on Geelong council’s website, the City had not issued any since stage three restrictions came into force, chief executive officer Martin Cutter said.
