Chapter 49 - Journalism of Public Performance 2

Buskers are very common in Ouigab but I saw nothing the like of Yawat. I first mistook him for a famous singer in disguise. His guitar playing is beautiful and his voice is very charming. His aura too was something hard to describe but it was very special. That's why it was a surprise when he cleared my misassumption by answering a young lady's question of him being a famous singer.

He also transformed famous songs into his own style. It's not uncommon for famous singers to cover each other's songs but it's very rare for them to arrange the songs, much more arrange them into a version that is just as good as or even better than the original. Yawat's re-arrangements however, were all very satisfying. Even when the crowd requested songs, it felt like he re-arranged them on the spot.

When his performance was over, I had to approach Yawat and warn him of evil entertainment agencies, not wanting for someone talented as him be a victim. I introduced myself to him as a writer of an article about that one greedy entertainment company. His reply however was a surprise, and also a relief to me. He said "Thank you for the warning Ms. Cadali. Don't worry; I know how the entertainment businesses work. I also know that you're a journalist from Nabla Observer. Thank you for publishing that article to warn young artists." He gave me a knowing smile as if we've already met before. It was confusing.

He also gave me a good idea for an article. "By the way, Ms. Cadali. I think the power of music labels and publishers in the future will shrink because of the rise of internet platforms for music distribution. That's why I'm planning on being an independent musician forever."

When I went home later that day, I immediately checked out Yawat's original music on Stoppify, and after listening, I had to download the whole album from iTunes. I found his original songs better than most songs in the radio today. Maybe because his album was released not even a month ago, the listens and downloads are only in a few thousands. Still, I hope that Yawat will become famous in the future.

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I soon arrived and parked my car on Monna Park's parking space and saw that there are already people gathered beside the park's lake. Yawat, still wearing a Hawaiian shirt, hat, and sunglasses similar to the ones he wore last week, is cuurently with what can only to be his band, tuning their instruments. The rest of the band are dressed casually, but I found it amusing that they are all wearing sunglasses that are just as big as the one Yawat is wearing, only with varying colors of the lenses.

I walked down and joined the crowd and saw familiar faces; people who were also here last Friday. The young lady who asked Yawat a question is sitting in the front, the jogger couple is sitting in the middle, the man with the dogs is sitting near me, and the middle aged man is sitting near one speaker.

The fountain suddenly lit up which gave the park's atmosphere a serene vibe. The park manager, who just turned on the lights on the fountain joined in with the crowd as well. I thought the performance will start immediately but I saw Yawat's band members look stiff, a strong contrast in comparison to Yawat looking at ease.

Yawat then gathered them to a circle, told them something and they left the set and dispersed to invite more people outside, and in the other parts of the park. Tayaw on the other hand, set up a tripod camera and two portable lamps and pointed it to their set, most definitely for filming their performance.

The band members soon came back and they look a lot less nervous. Them inviting people themselves must have gone well because they are now more relaxed.

The band soon assumed their positions and together started playing a jazzy instrumental. Tayaw's voice also came out of the speakers. He did not sing yet, however. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming. We are the Percussive Corrections. My name is Yawat and I'll be the vocalist." Yawat introduced the band which was met with applause from the crowd. I felt it is already an incredible start. The busking is slowly starting to feel like a mini concert.

"On my left here, is the lovely Jenna, the band's violinist and second vocal." Tayaw pointed at the lovely petite girl beside him. Jenna then started playing a beautiful melody from the violin for around thirty seconds. She looks stiff but that doesn't take away anything from her skill. "That fiery fella over there is our drummer, Ike." The flashy dressed drummer changed the beat and played a subdued but fast beats on the snare drums and cymbals. Ike's drumming was lively and after around thirty seconds, he finished his solo by hitting the other parts of his drum set very rapidly, but not obnoxiously like a regular drummer, before he resumed the original background beat.

"Our young rock star here is our lead guitarist, Hoon!" Hoon played a funky melody on the guitar and proceeded to produce a strange and unusual but mesmerizing melody. "This here on the bass is young Inson." Inson played the same funky melody and riffs that Hoon played, but in bass form. Unlike Hoon's high pitched and lively playing that perks one's ears up, Inson's bass playing made me feel secure and supported. "That guy hiding his face with his hat is our pianist, Bay-an." Bay-an who I didn't notice was playing all along, suddenly played very beautifully, the melody he played was based on Jenna's riff, but has more crisp and variety of notes in it.

Yawat continued on to introduce the remaining member of the band. "The jazzy looking fella here is our saxophonist, Ramil." I liked Ramil, the saxophonist's solo the best because I found it lively and s.e.xy at the same time. The low notes on his saxophone caressed my body, and high notes seeped deep in my bones.

The band then moved on to play proper songs. I noticed that their sound together is much more different that Yawat's solo performances last week, not just because they have more instruments, but they are all like puzzle pieces that complete each other.

I thought at first that Yawat's band is just a background band for him, but I was wrong. They are all excellent musicians. They each have their own vibes and atmosphere. Jenna is a cute but a down-to-earth violinist and a strong support vocal for Yawat's attractive husky tone. Inson is an unassuming but a very reliable bassist. Ike looks flashy but his playing is just loud enough and plays a subtlety I can't describe but just feel. Hoon looks lazy but when it came his time to shine, he would transform into a rock star. Ramil is a gaunt looking young man but transforms into a s.e.xy saxophonist the next moment. Bay-an is a pianist who for the most time is invisible but if one listens closely, he makes each instrument sound fuller and is also in charge of the piano licks that would linger in one's head.

An hour into their performance, the crowd grew into maybe around a hundred people. The band however is starting to look exhausted except for Yawat. The cute Jenna is already sweating which made her more adorable but I don't think she can play any longer. This is the case for the other members of the band.

Yawat rescued them from their exhaustion by calling for a break; which gave the crowd an opportunity to cheer out the appreciation they weren't able to express because of the band's quick transition from finishing one song to another.

The band then relaxed and settled down on the foldable camping chairs they brought with them. Ramil and Jenna each drank a bottle of water maybe to wet their throats. Yawat on the other hand, is just as relaxed as before their performance started, and still energetic enough to interact with the crowd. "Thank you, thank you. I want to thank you all for staying as I see a lot of familiar faces still in the crowd. The band looks exhausted, and so might also be you all. I offer this time as well for you all to get your own refreshments."

I can see a veteran performer in Yawat. Had it been another busker, they would have already left after being exhausted and would never interact with the audience aside from a few Thank you's. The band members have also immersed into their own elements as their performance progressed. They were all stiff in the beginning but they all looked and sounded natural after each song they played.

"We also thank the manager of Monna Park, not only for maintaining the park's cleanliness all year long, but also for allowing us to play a long gig here tonight. Please give the man a round of applause! He deserves it!" Yawat pointed at the park manager. The crowd cheered to the manager, to his embarrassment. This warmed my c.o.c.kles.

The park manager, to me, is only a glorified janitor. People like the park manager, however have thankless jobs. Ouigab is filled with parks and playing grounds that needs to be maintained and when park managers do a great job, it gives people the feeling of nature and results to them taking the hard-maintained cleanliness of the parks for granted.

I actually spoke to the park manager last week during my research. In addition to my article just being about places like Monna Park to hang out for free, I also included anecdotes and stories from employees like the park manager around the city; stories about cleaning unspeakable things, chasing vandals, and dealing with rude entitled visitors. Yawat did a great thing by giving the spot light for a moment to the park manager. He's also more than right about the park manager deserving recognition; they contribute to the atmosphere and happiness of the city.

A few minutes later, Yawat and the band must have rested plenty. "Thank you guys for the wait. We will now start the second half of our performance. I hope you enjoy it just as well as you enjoyed our songs earlier." And with that, the band played a much more different sound than they did in earlier. At first, I expected their songs to all follow one theme for the rest of their performance, but I was wrong.

Anyway, If Yawat and his band don't become famous in the future, then the world has gone crazy. I would be writing my heart out in the future when they become big and brag about being one of their first original fans.