Video: Keys to the Streets returns with Tariq Hussain’s Radio Song

The pianos are back on the streets of Vancouver and the Keys To The Streets video series is back as well.

Keys to the Street is a public music initiative, established by CityStudio Vancouver in 2013, that places pianos — 10 in total — in public places around Vancouver, from Stanley Park to Kingsway. The idea is to promote creativity in an urban environment.

Last year, Adam Sharp of Big Smoke Media came up with the idea to pair the pianos with local indie bands for a music video series.

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Tariq Hussain plays Radio Song.

Vancouver musician Tariq Hussain of Brasstronaut kicks off this year’s series by performing “Radio Song” on the public piano in the Strathcona Community Garden (898 Prior Street).

Even though he’s better known for his prowess with a lap steel guitar, Hussain does a nice job on Strathcona Park piano.

“When I approached Tariq, he expressed a little concern at his piano playing skills — his ‘instrument of choice’ being guitar — but this simple and sparse arrangement jives so well with the calm mood inside Strathcona’s beautiful community garden,” Sharp wrote. “We shot this at 10 a.m. on a Friday, and the gentle ringing in the background from one of the community lots serves as a sweet accompaniment to this thoughtful tune.”

Meanwhile, the organizers behind Keys to the Streets have launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the pianos. You can donate money to your favourite piano or to the program in general.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.