Notes From the Street: Phil’s Journey Through Music and Resilience

By: Camila Muiambo for The River Newspaper 25/10/24

Philip, 49, moved to the UK from Cape Town at 19 and recently came to Kingston because he wanted a change of scenery. Despite nine years of homelessness, he genuinely enjoys it.

When I arrived at his corner of Kingston, behind the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, a cup of tea awaited him when he woke up. He thanked Patrick, the kitchen manager, and the establishment. “They're very nice to me. All the staff here at Gourmet Burger Kitchen are constantly bringing me smash patty burgers.”

Phil shared how he was building his shelter as temperatures were dropping. “It’s just a bed, but I sealed it with plastic boards I found. It reminded me of Japanese tea huts.”

Phil with his art exhibition, featuring Mama Duck; by Camila Muiambo

“I don’t beg; my creativity attracts wealth.”

When asked why he enjoys being homeless, Phil highlighted his creativity. “I don’t beg; my creativity attracts wealth.” He values his connections and loves playing music for people, emphasising how important performance is. People enjoy his art and music, and he doesn’t do it for money but for the joy it brings others.

Phil also makes art from street junk. However, one challenge of being homeless and creating art is that it is temporary. He tries to take pictures of the exhibitions he sets up, but "you also lose phones, so it all disappears into the ether. Nothing's permanent.”

His demeanour changed when he told me how he forgets that he is perceived as someone who deserves money. He said he thinks, “what's that for?” when someone gives him money.

He opened up about how he’s still working on getting used to people giving him money and accepting it gracefully. “I believe in giving and receiving; I don’t believe in asking and taking, which is one reason why I don’t put a hat down,” he added, reflecting on his belief in mutual exchange over handouts.

Phil’s usual audience used to be people outside pubs, remaining on the street where he felt most at ease. However, after two months in Kingston, he has been barred from almost every place for playing music. The management and police said he couldn’t perform without a music license. “I’ll start playing, and people will enjoy it, but then management will come and tell me to stop,” he explained, clearly frustrated.

He seemed completely deflated when he shared that playing music had been causing him trouble lately, with management claiming he was harassing customers despite people enjoying his performance. The police even warned him, saying he couldn’t perform outside any licensed establishment anymore.

“I engage with everyone because I love playing my music for everyone,” Phil said. Yet, he consciously avoids other homeless individuals, feeling different due to his art and music. He noted that many struggle with addiction, focusing on raising money to support their habits. Phil expressed that he thinks it's very detrimental to the human brain to try to raise money for something so momentary constantly, so he encourages others to make art instead, arguing it’s a more fulfilling way to spend time.

When asked how Kingston University students could assist the homeless, he suggested blankets and clothing, especially with the cold approaching.

“Give them money if you want. Supporting their happiness, even if tied to addiction, isn’t wrong.”

When getting ready for winter, Phil mentioned wearing thermals and extra socks and potentially staying in a hotel provided by the council if temperatures drop below zero. The cold makes playing music challenging, but fingerless gloves help. “You get used to it. Hardship is part of life.”

In the future, Phil dreams of forming a band and sharing his music with a wider audience. However, he’s taking things one day at a time. The last time we spoke, he faced the threat of police moving him along, but he has become accustomed to packing his belongings into a trolley.

Despite these setbacks, he plans to stay in Kingston, so keep an eye out for him and say hello; he’d appreciate it.