Future Ex-pat seeks advice...

[electroplay]

So, I was in the UK last year and I'm thinking about returning on a more permanent level. Any words of advice/wisdom to securing work or gigs to support myself? What about visa's etc? I'd like to hear from some gigging players who know how to "walk the walk n' talk the talk" with the local venues wherever in the UK.

Love & Rockets,
Electroplay

[acre]

Hi Ex!

I think the task of picking up jobs is kind of a universal constant regardless if it's in the U.K., U.S or Canada..... The criteria being:

1) What kind of music do you specialize in?
2) Will you be running solo or duet etc..?
3) What's you current gear? Are you up to date or are you using stuff that's a wee bit behind the times and sounds dated?
4) Will you have a day job and use your playing to supplement your living for a while?

Personally, I stumbled into my first band by accident. I had been mainly involved with doing background MIDI scores for singers and got asked to sit in with a 50-60's group. After that, I went to pubs and asked bands if I could sit in for free, usually matinee or open mic performances. I would always establish a good communication line with the owner first to make sure he was in favor of having people "sit in". He is after all, the owner. Three piece bands were good targets because they could always use an extra set of hands to fill the "holes" while the lead guitarist played his solos. Some of these bands became spoiled after they had me sit in (probably because I was for free ;D ) and when they played the next week-end, they usually missed me. I'm a competent player but by no means Ray Charles. I have very good gear and contrary to what people will tell you, it makes a difference. You're better to be a medium player with top of the line gear than a really good player with garbage.

After doing this kind of thing for a year or so I found that these bands began hiring me on a regular basis. It took time but it worked. Like any sales job, you spend time prospecting and getting nothing, then all of a sudden the phone will ring. I sped up the process by playing for free a lot. It paid off. I now play for five bands and average 45-50 bookings per year.

Hope this helps.........Lee