Street musicians get amped up over health order denying live tunes

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The sound of street musicians in downtown Santa Barbara has for years been part of the random soundtrack as you walk State Street or attend the Tuesday Farmers' Market. That's why it's particularly hard on these artists to hear of a health order that restricts their art.

Some just don't get the connection between the coronavirus and their sounds.

There are a variety of ordinances and interpretations that have been discussed over the years about music, amplified sounds, disturbing the peace, blocking the sidewalk, and trespassing (if on private property.)

There's also a legal protection in some cases, with music as a form of free speech.

A lot of forgiveness in all areas has been seen in the last four months of the COVID-19 crisis.

Some people have said the music is now part of the setting they come to enjoy while dining outside.

For the most part it's been limited to one or two performers, sometimes together and sometimes apart.

Steel drums have been heard, along with a saxophone, guitars, keyboards, and even a drummer using white upside down buckets.

"It's really a Godsend. I appreciate it so much. People have been so generous," said part time painter and guitarist Jason Frost.

It's taken time to figure out just how many musicians can be together, and how loud they can be.

David Vartabedian plays at least three times a week. Sometimes nine hours at a time. He started with a larger band but scaled back.

"So then in front of the Metro Theatre (with a full band) that kind of got shot down," he said. "Everybody's had to get creative because there is no work for musicians."

The county health order (No. 2020 - 12.3) does say no live performance venues, live theatre and live performances. It also says no music events, or concerts.  The concern is about crowd gathering.

An issue has also been raised that music makes people speak louder, and that is a contributing factor to spread COVID-19 if someone is infected and near others.

A letter of concern to the City Council from Anna Marie Gott about a full band spotted one day at State and Victoria St. said, "the band has been set up in the middle of the street which blocks access for emergency vehicles on State Street."

The city has worked to have a 14-foot space down the middle to make sure a fire truck can get through.

Even the Red Piano bar with six-foot distancing and plexiglass inside can only stay open without the piano player - the centerpiece of the business.

Musicians say they are aware they are around people who are outside and dining. For the most part they've adjusted their music so they are not too overbearing with their sounds.

Vartabedian says he doesn't like it too loud. 

"Because I don't like that. I want to have dinner and I don't want to say, 'What did you say?' So we're keeping our volume way down."

Jason Frost says he sets up with a small amp that uses double AA batteries and leans over to the front tables at Holdren's restaurant as he starts performing.

"I ask people if they are sitting close to me. I say, 'please let me know if the volume is too loud,'" he said.

Saturday there was extra police enforcement for Old Spanish Days Fiesta, which was all but called off this year, and hardly drew the usual massive crowds. Musicians were told to shut off their amps, but they are hoping to find the right level again.

For the most part, until now, the street ambassadors and police have not asked the musicians to stop playing. Saturday caught many off guard.

About two months ago, some received some written notices as part of the educational outreach.

They say the music is therapeutic, well received during the crisis, and it puts a few bucks in their pockets when so many other opportunities are unplugged.

"It lifts people, it makes people think, you know, cheers them up," Frost said.

Unlike a full-blown concert with large speakers and a stage, "there's already people eating and everyone's loved it" said Vartabedian. "Any kind of tips or love that people can give us is appreciated."

The musicians are say they trying to do what they can to get by and Vartabedian says people are "so appreciative of the live music."

They also say restaurants come out with beverages and food to-go at the end of their shifts.