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Jacob Koopman Jacob Koopman only planned to stay
in Ireland for a couple of months, but five years later, he’s still playing on the streets and building his following. So what made him stay? Our rich busking scene? Our strong cultural heritage? “Actually I got a girlfriend. Irish girls, man,” he grins. Ah. Fair enough. Koopman began busking in Amsterdam almost ten years ago. “I always used to play with someone else. I was a drummer that can harmonize, which is gold. Other musicians used to say, you can keep time and harmonize? You’re the perfect support!” When busking was banned in Amsterdam, Koopman, who is Indo-Dutch, returned to Bali. He came home to work, but realized he could still make money from music. Gradually he started to build his skills as a frontman, and when a friend came to Ireland to busk, he decided to join him. “I came here with five euros, but my friend said you have to try the Guinness, so I spent my last fiver on a pint! The next day, we busked on Grafton Street for the first time and made great money. Within two weeks, I got an apartment.” Though Koopman landed on his feet, he still struggled with the transition from drummer to lead singer and guitarist. “You have to be a salesman. The first few times I performed solo, I would say ‘Oh you can buy my music but it’s not very good.’ You can’t do that! If you want to sell something, you have to say ‘I have this product and you’re going to want to buy it because it’s great.’” Slowly, he began to learn from the performers around him. “I’ve seen some people play shit music, but it’s their confidence that makes them so good. It’s something you gather over the years. Anyone can be that charismatic. If you want to make it, you have to think, ‘fuck it, I don’t care what people think of me.’” Another hurdle was his setlist. Koopman’s tastes range more towards prog rock and synth pop, but in order to make the most money, he’s had to be more pragmatic. “I’ve narrowed down my setlist from 100 covers. I have 20 that I know I will make money from.” That’s important, because in addition to covering rent and living costs, busking is considered one of the last remaining avenues for independent artists to support a solo career. Like most buskers, Koopman is constantly reinvesting his money back into his music. In the process, he’s become a one-man record label. “Nowadays, musicians have to do everything from graphic design to management to event organisation. You’re thrown in the deep end, and if you don’t know that shit, you don’t make it anywhere. No one’s going to help you in the beginning. It’s a difficult job and I don’t think a lot of people understand that.” Regardless of what led him to stay in Dublin originally, the city has become Koopman’s home. It’s a place that offers him an audience and income beyond what Indonesia can offer, and he speaks of its streets with great affection. “I see more opportunity here as a musician. Grafton Street is famous all over the world for busking. It’s a really iconic street, and I think it’s wonderful.” 27