Busker Extraordinaire – Markus K and his MAUI 5 Go

Markus K is a true busker, constantly travelling around the streets of this world. On his YouTube channel, his fans can see where the Dutch-born musician is and where he is setting up his mobile street music gear. Alongside his looper system, the blues fan always has a MAUI 5 GO from LD Systems with him. Recently, Markus’ travels brought him to Neu-Anspach, to the Adam Hall Group’s Experience Center. In addition to giving him a tour of the development departments and enjoying a spontaneous gig in our “Come Together” restaurant, we were also curious to see what the passionate street musician thought of our mobile ANNY series…

Markus, you can be seen performing all over the world on your YouTube channel. What do you particularly like about this way of making music?

Markus K: I just love making music and I love travelling. As a busker, I can combine the two effortlessly and efficiently. As a musician, I don’t have to plan a tour with fixed concerts, but can simply play as the mood takes me every day.

I also like not having to fulfil any expectations as a busker. Anyone who feels drawn to what I’m doing can stop and enjoy what I’m playing in this place, at this moment. I also improvise a lot, so I regularly create new pieces. As a result, I’m constantly developing. Overall, the reactions I get as a busker are extremely positive and friendly.

How many years have you been travelling as a street musician, and how has your equipment changed over the years?

Markus K: I started about seven years ago – back then I had a Line 6 delay that you could switch to looping. I also had a 10” Behringer loudspeaker. The power supply came from a car battery and an inverter, which I always carried around with me.

Today, of course, my set-up looks completely different. I use the Loopy Pro app on an iPad, which combines a looper with effects and a mixer. All my sounds, the amp simulator, etc. are on the iPad. The loops and sounds are controlled via a Softstep 2 USB foot controller. Power is supplied entirely via a conventional power bank for smartphones. I use my MAUI 5 Go, which has its own integrated battery, as the PA.

Apart from the key elements such as guitar, speakers and looper, which tools are indispensable for you?

Markus K: A trolley, CDs to sell and a few signs, plus a positive, open attitude, because you never know what’s going to happen next on the road. I also have two iPhones to film my performances and make videos for social media. I did that right from the start, but it only really took off with clicks and followers in the last few years.

How and when did you come across LD Systems and the MAUI column PAs?

Markus K: About two years ago. It was then that I realised that a column PA was the best choice for my purposes. I use vocals, guitar, bass and drums – and all the elements need to be heard equally well. Before that, my experience was restricted to the 10” Behringer speaker I mentioned before, which was not battery powered and generated a loud noise in the guitar sound due to the obligatory inverter. The Behringer was good for dirty blues, but not for more sophisticated arrangements and mixes. The MAUI 5 Go, on the other hand, sounds wonderfully clear and “big” at any volume.

You played on the new ANNY 10 for the first time when you visited us. What did you think of it?

Markus K: The ANNY 10 really surprised me and worked very well for my music. I’ll still stick with the MAUI, though, because it’s lighter, and my guitar sounds even more natural to my ears with it.

Where else would you like to play? Do you have any specific dream destinations?

Markus K: There are so many places I still want to go to, including Latin America, which could be my next big adventure. I also can’t get China out of my head. That would certainly be a culture shock! I can also imagine a tour through remote mountain regions like Tibet – but mainly for my own pleasure in that case.

Markus, thank you very much for your visit and the interview!