The street music

It was just a while ago that I saw by chance on Facebook two friends that played music in the streets, in squares and generally in open spaces and I thought it was a wonderful idea to host them in order for them to hand down to us this “vibration” (to use some musical terminology), the energy (to mention also Coelho). Their name, Streetlovers, described exactly what they are, musicians who love the streets in the broad sense of this word…and if you are the bohemian type, a little boho chic (which is in fashion) you just love guys like these, personally I had already translated the band in “street lovers” and I cobbled scenarios about their bohemian lives!  So I met them and they talk to us about the beginning of everything, about their music, their projects and  busking! Yap, yap, I’ve also learned what this is…!

1) Let’s get to know each other! Who are Streetlovers?

Streetlovers are an acoustic duo formed in 2015 by Luca Battistini and Francesco Luongo. We had never played together, but something kicked off immediately which has led to the beginning of a great understanding at a musical level and a nice friendship.  We are a band composed of acoustic guitars of all kinds (sic cords, 12 cords, ukulele, lap steel guitar), the main voice of Luca Battistini and the chorus of Francesco Luongo.

2) Do you have a permanent or almost permanent base?

The band does not have an actual base but we both live in Leghorn.

3) Where do you enjoy playing (place) and what, meaning what type of music?  

We love playing in pubs but we also love busking especially on Terrazza Mascagni in a nice sunny day. Our repertoire ranges between soul and pop, country and blues, extracted from albums of artists such as  Jack Johnson, John Butler, Neil Young, Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Eddie Vedder and many more, we have a playlist with about sixty pieces and every concert is different because we like to decide on the spot the songs to play.

4) How have you chosen this original “method” to publicize your music?

The idea for busking has been born by our passion for music, we love playing as much as possible, without pause, therefore we though “let’s try” and once we were on the street with our plant we couldn’t stop anymore. While busking you get the feeling of donating, even for just a moment, a smile to the pedestrians  who always remain  fascinated to see two young men who are busking, not because of the need for survival, but simply out of their passion to demonstrate what we do best: play music!

5) Do you have your own songs o do you compose music?

We do covers together, but we hope to make our own record soon.

6) Do you agree with the saying that once you transform your hobby to work, it ceases to be a hobby?  I’m asking because I imagine, I can tell that you really love what you are doing!

It is a phrase that makes sense but personally I don’t feel like mine. Music for me is much more than a hobby, it is a need that serves my expression and it makes me enter a state where I feel in harmony with all that surrounds me.  Work is something repetitive and one you usually do for a living, we play to feel alive and this is enough.  Sure I wouldn’t be entirely honest if I said that playing is like a walk in the park: programming is not a simple thing, often you need to make long journeys in car, return home in improbable hours, you have the constant thought to satisfy the audience and to not let down the ones that host you, but compared to how pleasing it is, you don’t feel any burden.

Thanks a lot Streetlovers! See you soon!