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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Strappers! Here are the 10 Rules of SUBWAY ARTISTRY!! I have been working on compiling these Rules for 2 years and hope it is informative and helpful to other fellow Subway Musicians. TOP 10 RULES OF SUBWAY ARTISTRY 1. HAVE RESPECT 1.a Respect your fellow subway artists. 1.b First come first serve on all public Property/Locations everywhere! 1.c NO public place and therefore no Location is “anyone’s” 1.d Respect your environment, don’t litter or leave your trash behind. 2. COMMUNICATE with your fellow Subway-Artists 2.a Don’t call the police on other subway-musicians to obtain their spot or to sooth your ego or pride. Unless you are reporting a crime. This will cause more problems for you and others than Create solutions. 2.b Talk, have a conversation,: “hey, how are you …how long are you going to be here, you think?” 2.c Negotiate. If you believe the time given by the fellow artist is unreasonable, try to negotiate. If all fails look for a different spot, call it a day, or check back later. 2.d Be reasonable. Don’t occupy a spot for more than five hours, especially if other musicians have asked what time you will be finished performing. Note: that there will always be someone who can’t be communicated or negotiated with, sometimes that can be asset as well!!(tough most of the time it is just annoying.) Most of the time you will find a way to communicate with anyone if you think about it long enough or run into them often enough. 3. BE POLITE 3.a You are playing in a public place where your audience came to catch the train. Impress them by your talent. Do not yell at them. 3.b Don’t take it personally!! Some days are slow and there will be nothing you can do about that. Its not the audience’s fault. Most likely they still love hearing you and will remember to give you a tip next time. Consider days like that public service! And, remember, you may have done enough that day for someone to buy a CD next time or tip you $2 as opposed to $1. 3.c Stay positive!! Its just better for ya! There will always be good, great, or absolutely f…… amazing days that will make up for the bad ones. Just remember to always love your audience. 3.d Be extra polite to transit cops, follow their orders, and don’t question their authority where not necessary. Politely communicate with the officers and listen to their concerns. I’ve made many friends in the NYPD this way. 4. OBEY THE LAW 4.a You’re authorized to perform in the subway as long as you don’t interfere with transit operation. It’s a sensible thing, don’t stand in a busy commuter lane, spread out your equipment too far, etc.. There are specific rules that governs performances in the subway, but the 1st Amendment of the Constitution is the most important law for all. 4.b Have the rules of conduct with you at all times. You can print out a copy of the Rules of Conduct for NYC-transit at: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/rules/rules/htm Look for section 1050.6(c) 4.c If you get a ticket, always challenge it at Transit Adjudication Court! If you loose, appeal the ruling. If your ticket was dismissed, have a copy of the ticket and ruling with you the next time you perform. 5. DO NOT APPEAR INTOXICATED 5 a Don’t be obtrusive with random passengers! 5 b Don’t harass women! 5 c Basic etiquette still applies, you are in the public spotlight. 6. BE DISCRETE 6.a Don’t publicly (loudly) discuss money or brag about how much money you make. It avoids being labeled. 6 b Most of the time it is better to decline a request by a random passenger to play your instrument, there is not much you can do should this person end up damaging or breaking your instrument. 7. PERSEVERE 7.a Not all days are good days. Sometimes you can’t get a spot. Sometimes subway service is canceled or changed. Sometimes the cops tell you to “move along” even though you have the right to be there. Sometimes there is nothing you can do except try again later. It is important to go out everyday to catch the good days. 7.b Be patient. Sometimes it will be slow for a while and them the last ten minutes you are there will make your day worth while. So, set a minimum time you will spend performing and stick to it no matter what. 8. INSPIRE 8.a The only way to make money in the subway and grow from the experience is to enjoy your performance. Use it as your platform to become better, promote your art, and promote the subways as a legitimate stage. 8.b Play to your audience. Open your self up. Make them feel something. 9. HAVE A BOTTLE OF WATER, USE THE BATHROOM.. 9.a The biggest nuisance of the subway artist is their bodily functions. I have lost many spots and had to quit for the day because I had to use the restroom or had to get a bottle of water. 10. MOVE AROUND 10.a Don’t rely on any one spot. Always look around for new spots to use for future back-up plans. Numerous things can happen to your favorite spot. It might not be available and it is not wise to depend solely upon a single location. Finding new audiences can also expand your notoriety. 10 b If you see an open spot, take it! Sometimes looking for a potentially better location will cost you a perfectly fine and free spot. A lot of the times the difference between you getting the spot or someone Other, is a matter of seconds. Compiled by: THEO EASTWIND ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for checking in! As you probably all know already, The new Album The O has been out since April 2006, I, participated, dominated and won Fox 5's Subway Idol competition! We now add the title of "Fox 5's Subway Idol"® to our list. Check out the video and live the dream again and again...:) Competed against 100 musicians and won the Williamsburg Live Singer Songwriter Contest. I was up against some really awesome musicians check the website WLSSC.com for all of them. The (NYC 2005) Transit Strike sucked,... At least I had fun on Good Day New York check out the video! FREEDOM! to add to our Fox 5 news appearances, Ginger Rush (lawyer for the Arts) and I were both featured in a special piece by reporter Anne Craig. The piece was dealing with the long battle for clarity and justice of First Amendment Rights between Subway Performers and the MTA/NYPD. We were speaking out for all Subway Performers rights to play and sell their (own) music without the threat of being intimidated, given a ticket and or arrested in some cases (I was). For some reason the MTA and NYPD seem to be living in the dark ages on this issue and not on the same page as current Federal Law states (and specifically told NYC) that all artists may sell their own products without a permit, freedom of speech, freedom of expression. It broadcast on the 10 O'clock Fox 5 news last year and its fallout forced a police-captain into early retirement. MSNBC.com did a brilliant article about Subway performers (including me of course) and it has some great pictures, check it out, I really love that piece. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5682773 The documentary New York- Musik im Untergrund (Music in the Underground), which features yours truly and four other subway musicians, presented by Armin Toerkell and Mica Stobwasser and broadcast on ARD (German state television), was just awarded one of eight media prizes for 2003 assigned by the RIAS Berlin Kommission. This film continues to circulate across Europe. Most recent press include: The New York Post, Metro, Block Magazine, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany), Manila Standard (Philippines), So-en Magazin (Japan)... and more. Contact Mia Mind Music to obtain a presskit The 13th child, Legend of the Jersey Devil, featuring my song, 7500 from the album One, is still available to rent at Blockbuster, if you dare. This some of the latest and greatest... Check the Concert-page for upcoming gigs, I believe there are many to come Yes, I am still playing the subways regularly, stumble upon me playing on the platform or come catch one of my shows, either way, be in touch. If you haven't yet done so, please join the mailing list it is the best way to receive the most recent information about upcoming shows, events and Theo Eastwind news. For fans outside of NYC, please drop me a line and tell me where you are, this Spring/Summer we'll be hitting the road and would love to come play in your town. Also, spread the word about Theo Eastwind, become a member of our Street Team. Thank you once again for your continuing ear, I couldn't do it with out ya, could I now..!? I am looking forward to many opportunities in 2006. I"ll keep you updated with news. Rock on!!!  |
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