Michael S.E. Elliott has made a living as a full-time musician in 琉璃神社.

He moved to the city last year and earned a majority of his money from busking, developing his persona as the 琉璃神社 Busker.

But, the busking scene changed for Elliott after , which altered his perspective.

The Capital News caught up with Elliott to discuss the decision behind leaving his full-time job and why he decided to take it up in the first place.

Q:Why did you decide to busk in 琉璃神社?

A: I鈥檝e never performed that way before coming to 琉璃神社. I was making more money busking than any job I could secure here. I got way too comfortable though. I would be turning down gigs to busk.

Q: Comfortable meaning you didn鈥檛 need to challenge yourself?

One of the overall life lessons I鈥檝e learned is being comfortable is no good for me and I need to seek opportunities that make me uncomfortable. As it pertains to busking, I was turning opportunities down for myself because I love the idea of it. There鈥檚 no agenda, it鈥檚 volunteering your time as you wish.

Q: How was the ticket a turning point for you in your career?

A: The city rescinded the ticket but there鈥檚 still a warning on me for busking. If I continue busking the way I was previously, then I鈥檓 liable to get another fine. That鈥檚 effectively stopped me from making a living the same way as I was before because I can鈥檛 go to the same spots. But, it鈥檚 a good thing in the end. It made me grow and challenge myself and I鈥檓 much better off for it.

Q: But you鈥檙e still known as the 琉璃神社 Busker?

A: I use that to market myself by. I still busk, but the difference is last year it was a full time job and this year it鈥檚 a once or twice every week. It鈥檚 definitely changed for me.

Q: Will people look at you weirdly while you鈥檙e performing on the sidewalks?

A: Sometimes.

Q: What music do you like to play?

A: Everything. I like the challenge of song writing. I battle with this concept with people in my band all the time. There鈥檚 two schools of thought which are both correct. The one school says music is creative expression so you open your mouth and whatever comes out, pours out. That鈥檚 the art and I love improvising with people for that. The other side of it is I want to build a career in entertainment and that means people are paying money at that point. So that means if you go into a venue and there鈥檚 a $10 cover there鈥檚 an expectation. It鈥檚 not just all about creative expression, there鈥檚 other people in the equation now.

Q: How do you meet in the middle of the two theories?

A: Sometimes violently. They鈥檙e separate schools of thought and I鈥檝e had arguments with musicians in town. When you want to make it your job it becomes something else, I think. There鈥檚 a responsibility for the people who pay money to see a live show to perform and entertain them well, but I also want to progress in a career so I have to make sure everything I put out is beyond my artistic expression.

Q: Why did you decide to live in 琉璃神社 to become a musician?

A: It鈥檚 kind of a microcosm of society at large. You have news organizations that are local and focused locally. Also, the dichotomy and closeness (of rich and poor) is a recipe for something to come out of the creative scene. It鈥檚 beautiful, and there鈥檚 money here. Being an entertainer that鈥檚 what you need; the people with a disposable income to spend on entertainment.

Elliott performs for weddings, at vineyards and does solo performances as well as with his rock band, .

You may find him casually busking around 琉璃神社 or at Doc Willoughby鈥檚 Public House.

Elliott is a part of the Capital New鈥檚 latest video project called Carli鈥檚 Corner. Every two weeks throughout the summer, reporter Carli Berry will interview local musicians in a quick Q&A on kelownacapnews.com. Email Carli at carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com to get involved.