A self-proclaimed "drifter" who camps in Berry and carries his music gear on his motorbike, Alex Eldred is trying to make it big. But for now is busking in front of Bakehouse Espresso five days per week.

"The goal is to do this full time and become known, but at the moment I'm just trying to build my bank account up," he said.

"Right now I'm busking in Nowra about four or five times per week. But I can stretch it out to six. I usually do five with two days as rest days, because if I were to play every day, I'd wear my voice out."

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Starting music after high school, it was a sporting injury that made Alex realise he wanted to enrol in a Bachelor of Contemporary Performance at the Australia Institute of Music. When the bushfires hit, Alex withdrew from the course and moved back home to help.

"I started just after high school and I used to be very sporty, but I transferred over to music due to an injury and I just realised I wanted to play music more," he said.

"I've busked here since 2014 on and off. I live in the Snowy Mountains at the moment, I used to live in the Shoalhaven for 20 years and have come back to busk.

"Because of COVID-19 and the bushfires, I withdrew from the course and helped my father out for two years.

"But now that everything is more settled, I've decided I want to go out and pursue music."

While the 27-year-old has started to get his name out there and land paid gigs, he said there is something more relaxed about busking in the fresh air.

"I find that when you're busking, other paid gigs can follow. During Easter, I busked for three days and got offered two paid gigs," he said.

"When it comes to paid stuff and playing on a stage, you're playing to an audience and there's more pressure. What I like about busking is that I get to chill out and relax more.

"Some can find it hard to get on stage, but busking is a great way to warm up to playing for people. I also want to just provide some music to the CBD and to brighten up people's day by playing some tunes."

Alex mentioned some of the highlights of busking.

"I've had musicians come up to me with an instrument and start playing with me, and we've connected through music that way," he said.

"And people giving compliments is always a highlight."

His next goal? To keep getting his name out there, and to save for a car.

"I travel on a motorbike and I've set it up so I can fit all my camping gear on there and a top case so I can carry all my music gear while I travel around," he said.

"My goal is to get a car because I don't want to ride around on this motorbike forever!"

You can follow Alex Eldred by searching EsperXD on Facebook and Instagram.

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