TandemTales

An early start , they weave up hill, hung over and heavy to popular busking spots where all the other performers are already taking advantage of this bright busy day. The boys sit and eat cheap lunch at the Bedlam theatre. It pours down their throats but so does a quick down pour. Geoff gets wet and stays with the bike – their life on this tour. Hal keeps dry- he has electronics n shit. They wander down the Royal Mile, unpaid volunteers sell their show/souls, perform for you, flyer you, drag you in and ask you kind questions. Do you want a good time?

Where are the boys’ flyers? Posters? Megaphones they think…? They learn something from this before setting up off Princess street and jam. Passersby do stop, watch, take pictures but drop no money… is this a sign of the recession or their lack of talent?

However across the road, Geoff is forced to give a performer £1 for taking a picture.. that is a true professional! So it was the latter.

They soak up the last of tinsel town, Edinburgh, the flashing lights, bussle of tourists, performers, jugglers. Poets, singers, rappers and clowns, look around and still don’t quite know where they belong amongst all of this.

They play at Forest café. A great venue, but who probably weren’t ready for the music, whilst blissfully eating and drinking. Geoff is disheartened and questions is this really for him. Hal carries the show whilst Geoff grooves on percussion. Barry is cut short yet again and doesn’t even get to come on stage. One sold CD later they drink their discounted drinks, still paying more than they’ve made all day, meet two girls “from the Moon” and skid down the hill to the Cuckoos Nest.. It’s loud, rowdy and furious- and that’s how they play…

Soaked in rain and sweat they cycle home, sleep on another sofa, for the ninth time, eat another portion of chips. Geoff blags more free beer- it’s the only thing they pay you around here even if you begged and collapsed to the floor.

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