Something Out of Nothing. A new voice rising from the heart of Nobucks

Dougie D’s Street Choir

There’s a special kind of music that grows out of real life — the rough edges, the quiet heartbreak, the belly laughs, and the small victories that happen around a soup kitchen table. That’s exactly what Dougie D’s Street Choir is being built on. Doug has had this dream simmering for a long time: a choir shaped by the life and times of No Bucks, the soup kitchen with a big soul. And now, slowly but surely, it’s beginning to take form.

We already have twelve original songs — raw, honest pieces drawn from the stories and spirit of the people who come through No Bucks. Doug has been out there sounding the waters, gathering interest from potential singers and even stirring up some corporate curiosity. So far it’s just the two of us officially singing, but in all fairness, every choir begins as a duet. Doug has a handful of people he thinks might join as it grows, and the way things are moving, it’s still early days with plenty of space for it to evolve naturally.

My role has mostly been to back Doug up — bouncing ideas around with him, adding structure where needed, and helping find a way to bring the music to life. We’ve been meeting regularly, thrashing out how this can work, where it might go, and how to build something that genuinely reflects the heart of No Bucks. It’s been energising, creative, and a reminder that sometimes community starts with just two people saying, “Let’s give this a go.”

If Dougie D’s Street Choir becomes what we dream it could be, it will be more than a singing group. It will be a living story — a musical reflection of the streets, the struggles, the generosity, and the unexpected beauty found around a simple shared meal.

And right now, we’re just getting started.