The streets of Dublin City might be quiet at the moment, but you can still hear the sounds of Grafton Street, thanks to some of its most recognisable buskers, who have recorded a very special cover of Bob Marley’s One Love.
With Covid-19 restrictions in place, Dublin’s Grafton Street currently has no flower sellers, musicians or throngs of people bustling from shop to shop.
Missing the joy of playing outdoors, especially on sunny days like we are experiencing at the moment, some of Dublin’s beloved buskers have collaborated virtually, and their rendition of Bob Marley’s One Love is sure to put a smile on your face.
Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment, the project’s director Joy Frost said they decided to cover the Bob Marley track after it won a vote amongst the buskers "by a landslide".
As a full-time, self-employed musician, Joy said she is "doing okay, thanks to the Covid-19 emergency relief fund".
"Because of that support, I have been able to dedicate my time to this project in the hopes of spreading a little light and music to everyone during this difficult time."
She added that she wanted to help other artists who have been "hit hard by the pandemic" and to "transform the sidewalk stage into an online stage".
Each artist recorded their track separately, with "Jacob Koopman setting the groove for everyone else to follow". Joy had help from local producer Brian Dwyer with the editing while she focused on directing and video production. Seán Leahy who runs Dublin City Today was instrumental in getting the project up online.
All of the musicians featured are Grafton regulars or play on the Dublin Open Mic circuit.
Joy emigrated to Ireland with her German husband Jonas so that he could complete his Masters in Digital Marketing in Trinity College. "After he graduated, we chose to stay in Ireland for me so I could continue to be a part of the incredible music scene here," she explained.
"When we get back to some normality, the first thing I hope to do is fly to visit my family in the United States. I often get homesick and right now my parents and sisters feel farther away than ever. I hope I can see my family again very soon."
