Bored musician ropes in new band for trailer gigs in suburban streets

Two Brisbane musicians have come up with a way to bring live music to suburban streets in lockdown. WATCH THE VIDEO

Lockdown has been hard for professional musician BenJam – who not only lost all his gigs, but also his identity when tough social distancing restrictions were put into place.

As the nation braced for the impact of COVID-19, the well-known local guitarist and vocalist found his usually full calendar of weddings and pub gigs were gone.

“My whole persona was tied up in my work because I do this full-time,” he said.

“When I didn’t have that, I basically was on my knees emotionally. If I’m not making other people happy, then I’m just not happy.”

'MY SON DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL FOR MONTHS AND GOT AN OP2'

BRISBANE VIRUS SURVIVOR: 'IT'S A BLOODY NIGHTMARE'

VET'S DEADLY VIRUS WARNING FOR DOG OWNERS

'50% OF BEAUTICIANS STILL OPERATING' DESPITE VIRUS BAN

“I couldn’t give a sh*t about money. I used to be a carpenter and I’d make 10 times the amount of money I make now, but this is what I do now because I love it and it brings joy.”

So BenJam set up his equipment at the front of his Chermside home; his partner’s son – Liam Keats-Riley – set up his keyboards, and they roped in their next door neighbour as well.

“My neighbour had just come in from a flight and was in lockdown,” BenJam said.

“He’s a bass player, so he set up his instruments on his side of the fence, and then Liam got some keyboards out, and we played.

“It was received really well.”

BenJam and Liam at one of their socially-distant gigs on the weekend.

BenJam’s partner, Kim Spillman, came up with the idea to take their show on the road, and the idea of the trailer gigs was born.

“We work really, really hard to do all the right things, to stay on the trailer and away from people,” BenJam said.

“Once people start gathering from other streets, it’s all over. You’re allowed your family. Stay in your driveways and on your property.”

Ms Spillman said there were more gigs planned for Paddington and Bulimba this weekend, and their audiences are always well-behaved.

BenJam and Liam at one of their socially-distant trailer gigs.

“We’ve got these signs that say ‘enjoy the music but please keep moving or we’re going to have to move’.”

She said the trailer shows were a positive thing not only for the streets they played in, but for her partner too.

“When an artist can’t perform, they hurt,” Ms Spillman said.

“When he does a wedding, he has to sing for six hours. To go for all these months without singing, it’s like letting yourself get unfit.

“At the first concert, it was lovely watching the street come alive.

$1 FOR 28 DAYS: GET A FULL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

“Days after, he got cards in the mail thanking him. It was a good mental health thing and a community thing too.

“People share it on their Facebook and then we get a message saying ‘my husband’s 50th got cancelled, could you come here?’

“It’s lovely.”