The real question is why are you free to bother other people with your 'music'? I'd understand if you owned the restaurant you're busking at, but you're probably not even a paying customer like he is. You probably view yourself as some quirky bohemian who is helping to "keep portland weird", but to everyone else you're just another guy annoying us for our money. If music is your passion, take that money and invest in some studio time.
Spoken like a true "portland bullshit newcomer," I,A. The vast majority of buskers are dirty, scabies-infested scumfuckers who just fell off a northbound freight train. Their only goal is to guilt / annoy the squares into paying for their drunk / high / whatever. So fucking get over yourselves, at least the panhandlers keep quiet.
I used to work at a bar with a patio and a corny banjo-playing coworker who insisted on holding his bluegrass jam nights there. He always expected us to give his friends table service (it was an order and pay at the bar situation) while using his discount, not tipping AND subjecting us to his shit music. He seemed to think we loved it, but needless to say everybody hated that goofyballs twit.
^What Happened? People who can't sing, or play a musical instrument won't be denied. They are every where, and the likes of them keep multiplying. Parents if your kid sucks at music; spare them the humiliation, and tell them before they grow into obnoxious non-talented, don't get it- adults.
There have been so many cafes I've wanted to step into and have a drink and conversation with a friend. But if there's a guy/girl with a guitar/sax/electronic violin/harmonica/microphone and amp outside, never mind. You might as well be alternating Apallacian-style yodels and loud farts straight onto the patio and your captive audience.
Successful bands tour. Shitty bands set up shop on a patio and play whether you like it or not.
Keep on rockin' in the "free" world.
PS: fuck off back to California.
What happened, America?