Second-year Media Communications student Max Brown meets two of Bath’s most popular street performers to discover the story behind their success

Seizing the opportunity before the crowds drew in, I walked into Bath early, one chilly morning. Here I met two of the musical talents who perform regularly in the city centre. They shared their experiences of what it’s like to busk in Bath and how it has influenced their careers.

Nik Jovčić-Sas: Violinist

Professional musician Nik Jovčić-Sas brings the power of the violin to the streets of Bath, but his message also extends to activism supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Nik’s family originate from Serbia, however his childhood was spent in Midsomer Norton and he has lived in Bath for the last five years. He has a successful career as both a solo violinist, and with his band Ninotchka, named after his late violin teacher who was a big influence on Nik’s musical journey.

© Max Brown

How did you first discover your own unique style?
“Trial and error. The interesting thing about busking as a performance style is that you have to be able to do something that stops people and not only makes them watch but also part with their money.

“If you want to be a performer, then I can’t think of a better musical practice than busking”  — Nik Jovčić-Sas

“You start to learn from reading faces and reading the crowd what people like about what you do. If something doesn’t work, you see it very immediately, people start walking away. But, if you ‘hit the money’ you’ll get a crowd and you see it in people’s faces.”

Have you had any big moments as a performer?
“When I first started busking, it was pretty rough. I wasn’t making a huge amount of money and it was a bit depressing, but on Boxing Day 2015 a woman came over and asked if I wanted to do Glastonbury Festival – I said yes I would!”

What should the public be aware of when engaging with buskers?
“Always look out for them. Some are younger or in more vulnerable positions – many end up busking because of difficult times in their life.”

What would you say to someone who wants to start busking?
“You’ll have incredible experiences, you’ll have rough experiences, and you’ll have experiences where you don’t make any money. But if you want to be a performer, then I can’t think of a better musical practice than busking.”

Follow Nik on Instagram @nikjovcicsas and @ninotchkaband

© Max Brown

Miranda Keys: Opera singer

During her childhood growing up in Australia, Miranda Keys was fascinated by West End musicals. From a very young age her idea was to study in London, so she auditioned and received a full scholarship for the Guildhall School of Music & Drama before studying at the Royal College of Music at postgrad level. Well-travelled, she has been fortunate to sing on many of the world’s big opera stages – including London’s Royal Opera House and the Carnegie Hall in New York – but now Miranda can also be seen and heard on a different kind of platform, the streets of Bath.

Why did you begin busking?
“In between opera contracts, I had to figure out how to make ends meet. It’s deceptive to think that opera singers have a glamorous lifestyle, you still have to pay your expenses. So, I decided to come and busk. Initially, I didn’t know what to do – I put backing tracks on a CD and just stood there!

I began to realise that it doesn’t really matter where you’re performing, music is an incredible communication tool. It doesn’t matter where you come from in the world or how rich or poor you are. It’s one of the many lessons I’ve learned in the street, which could not be taught in a college – and I did a lot of studying!”

“It doesn’t matter where you’re performing, music is an incredible communication tool” — Miranda Keys

Talking of which, what advice do you have for someone who wants to start busking?
“I would say: do it because you love it. The great thing about busking is that you can really show what music means to you personally. If you stand there and sing by rote, you probably won’t connect to anybody. It’s one of the many lessons that I’ve been taught in the street which could not be taught in a college – and I did a lot of studying!”

Do you have a favourite spot to perform in the city?
“Because of the kind of music I do, I love to perform in the square by Bath Abbey. The background and beautiful buildings really suit my singing. The acoustics are very friendly. I always say that the beautiful buildings are better than any operatic set I have ever stood on, it’s stunning.”

Follow Miranda on Instagram @mirandakeyssoprano