THE MUSICIAN

by Catherine Smith (Oxford)

He stands outside a bakery, tall and lean with a rock-god face - cheekbones like knives, sea-green eyes. His spiked red hair went AWOL he grins, as I buy the Red Nose Special Big Issue. Yes, he’ll tell me his story. He’s been selling for 2 years.

Born and grew up here; it’s where he comes back to, where he’s rooted. There was a woman and a child but now he’s on his own again, and living in a hostel, very central, and he has his mates. And for the time being it’s home.

He’s really a song-writer, guitarist; music’s his absolute passion, his real life. He had a band but it all got complicated; egos, clashes, all that. We agree being creative’s a solitary activity; you’ve got to like your own company, your own bubble.

One day he’ll get back to it, the song-writing, living his real life. He’ll write songs about peace, how beautiful it would be to live in a world without war. Then his voice really will be heard; he really will be home.

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What Catherine Smith says about THE MUSICIAN:

Inspired by a conversation with Big Issue and Musician, Shay Munro