[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: [microsound] On canadians performing in the USA...



there are a couple legal methods of entering the u.s. as a canadian 
musician. i've tried 'em both successfully although this was a few 
years back.

1) get a recording studio willing to say you're going down to record 
(i.e. spend money in america) at their facility. have a letter from 
them stating so and someone willing to be there on the other end of a 
phone with the customs agent explaining this to be so. rumour a few 
years ago had it that customs were getting wise to this and it wasn't 
so reliable. another related method i've tried was to go down to 
'audition' for a record label and that, of course, i was not getting 
paid any artist fees whatsoever.

2) join the american musician's union (canadian local) and get them to 
process your work papers. there's a one-time membership fee and annual 
dues. it's cost prohibitive for most of us. the last i checked the 
one-time fee was around $350 with an annual fee of a couple hundred 
bucks. i suppose this route means you really want to go and play in the 
u.s. and are willing to pay $500+ for the privelege. also, you have to 
have your tour dates set well in advance.

in my experience, crossing the border at a major crossing is a lot 
easier as the folks there are busier and willing to get you out of 
their hair much sooner. if you perform on a laptop, i would suggest 
just going as a 'tourist'. with these kinds of ridiculous laws 
preventing cultural exchange between countries, it's no wonder the 
world is so fucked.

as an side but perhaps of interest to musicians wishing to come to 
canada, if you are performing at a venue whose primary profit/purpose 
is NOT the sale of alcohol (i.e. a cultural centre, gallery, performing 
arts centre, church basement, union hall and not a bar or club), there 
are no fees or work permits required. you should have a letter of 
invite from the promoter explaining the deal and their contact info. 
photo i.d. is also required. it's also a good idea to have the canadian 
promoter contact the customs authorities at your point of entry into 
canada and introduce him/herself and inform them of your arrival and 
plans. if you are playing in bars/clubs there is a work permit 
required. i think it's around $400 (so yeah, canada's fucked too). 
often in a festival context this cost is split amongst the canadian 
promoters. in a club or bar scenario it's probably going to be a cost 
for the artist.

happy travels.


steve

...-...::..:-_.....-...::.._.....-...::..:-_.....-.:..:-_.
steve bates
dimcoast@xxxxxxxxxxxx
(514) 270-7919
...-...::..:-_.....-...::.._.....-...::..:-_.....-.:..:-_.