In this episode of the Learning English Conversations podcast, which is part of the series "My Song, My Home," I meet Josh, a musician and busker based in London. Josh shares his experiences of busking in public places like street corners and train stations. He recalls starting his music journey at age 13 in his hometown of Hertfordshire, before moving to Brighton for university and eventually to London, where busking helped him build his career and connections. Josh sees busking as his main source of income and describes some of his favorite busking spots in London, such as Camden and train stations like Charing Cross and Victoria.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh faced challenges with performing but used the time to write new music. He introduces a song he wrote during lockdown, "That Side of the Wall," which tackles themes of mental health and loneliness. The podcast includes an explanation of some of the song's lyrics, exploring expressions related to stress and isolation. Listeners are invited to visit the BBC Learning English website for Josh's performance video, song lyrics, and additional learning resources.
The episode concludes with a teaser for the next episode, featuring a musician from Liverpool named Grace.