Musician Wages.com Forums » General Musician Topics

1. 

   noedg
   

   Hi guys..

   I'm planning my move to LA from the UK for July, after I've finished a couple of tours I have over here.

   I have a place to live and a car sorted (but not insurance or anything yet), but other than that I don't know how anything works.

   Over here we have the Musicians Union, which you don't have to join, but they're very useful so I am a member anyway. But I've heard stories about there are organizations in the US that musicians legally have to be part of, and a seperate one if you sing backing vocals?

   Also, what happens about money? Do I get paid and declare how much I earn at the end of a tax year (self employed) like over here in the UK?

   Many thanks for any help anyone can give, I'm a bit lost at the moment.

   Posted 6 months ago #
2. 

   David J. Hahn
   

   Wow. I haven't the slightest clue on that one. Sorry noedg.

   I do know that our union is the American Federation of Musicians. We also don't have to be members, but I am anyway.

   http://www.afm.org

   Posted 6 months ago #
3. 

   Andree-Ann
   

   Noedg,

   I can unfortunately not answer any of your questions, but I would love to know how you manage to pull off your move to the US from the UK?

   I am from Canada, and the UK has always seemed very appealing to me, but I am a bit clueless about what steps and strategies I should adopt to do an oversea move like that. If you have any tips and advices, I would love to hear you out!

   Andree-Ann
   http://www.myspace.com/andreeanndeschenes

   Posted 6 months ago #
4. 

   noedg
   

   Well, an artist I play for here in the UK moved to LA.. So I'm getting my visa through his label, which is awesome and saves me a lot of money.. Second to that, he's looking for a room mate. Rent with the exchange rate works out cheaper than living in London. So I would be living with him in Studio City. He's also said we can car share if I'm insured on it until I get round to buying my own car out there.

   I have no guarantee of work out there though, which is the scary part (apart from with the artist who I already play for, which would be fairly good work but I would definately need more work, and I hate the thought of having a proper job).. But I do have alot of contacts out in LA, mainly musicians and band coordinators who said they would put me forward for work and if I set a date of my move they will organize auditions for me. So it really is a risky move, but if it doesn't work out, I can just come home :)

   Don't want to sound like a pessimist here, but if I was you... I would go somewhere nicer than the UK :P Sucks here big time, full of chavs and criminals. Good luck with whatever you choose to do though!

   Posted 6 months ago #
5. 

   Joe Stone
   

   The whole country? Seriously?

   Posted 6 months ago #
6. 

   noedg
   

   80% of it yeah.. I live in a nice area, literally a 60 second drive away is one of the roughest estates in my whole city. Obvioously we have nice areas, but the majortiy is horrid.

   Posted 6 months ago #
7. 

   Andree-Ann
   

   Another question related to that topic,

   What kind of visa is necessary for a musician to work in the US?
   I have been on the government's website and found nothing really helpful; I am not a student nor wish to immigrate to the US.

   Anybody knows the exact type of visa that is needed for international musicians to work in the US?

   Thanks!

   Andree-Ann
   http://www.myspace.com/andreeanndeschenes

   Posted 6 months ago #

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