New pop sensation, Sam Sparro, whose single “Black and Gold” hit #2 on the UK charts earlier this month, has cancelled the remaining dates of his US tour due to unspecified visa issues.
There is no reason to believe that Sparro did not receive a visa due to previous bad behavior. Rather, it can be argued that Sam Sparro and his live band were denied entry because they are “not famous enough” in the eyes of US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Significant changes in immigration policy and the music industry have created unforeseen difficulties on artists who are applying for a “P” Visa. Before 2001, it was possible for a group to send their tour manager to the US embassy or consulate with a package containing all the necessary application materials. This package traditionally included passports, a biography, press clippings, and the tour itinerary. Today, this is no longer possible, as each applicant (the band, roadies, etc.) must come to the embassy for fingerprinting, digital photographs and an interview.
Further complicating matters for groups is the ever-changing definition of fame. Thanks to blogs, webzines and social networking sites, it’s possible for a group to become “famous” more quickly than they would’ve a decade ago. As a result, bands that did not exist three years ago are now receiving significant press coverage and touring heavily. However USCIS has been slow to warm to the fact that bands have been submitting printouts from blogs and online magazines. While officials are willing to consider the web sources, it is highly doubtful they are regular readers of Brooklyn Vegan, Pitchfork Media or even Brightest Young Things.
The most tragic side affect of government bureaucracy is the fact that government red tape is inadvertently hurting one of the few profitable areas of the music business. And in a world where album sales continue to decline, live performance has become the primary means for artists to generate income. But due to the government’s slowness to acknowledge changes in the music marketing and popular culture, many bands are being denied an audience and a paycheck.
this would have been better if you had actually gotten some sources and expanded this. It is potentially a very interesting story which would be of interest to many people beyond the normal readership, even, of this blog. as it is now you have what appears to be speculation masquerading as fact.
In relation to Sam Sparro, it could just be something else. I mean, the guy did make it to SXSW and the WMC and is nominally based out of LA. So he has made it to America before.
August 20, 2008 at 9:16 ami agree with eric. simply amateur journalism. very little integrity in this reporting, which is meant to come off as serious.
August 20, 2008 at 11:31 amBut yo P - doesn’t this just mean that current bands are having to struggle the same as previous bands? Bands from previous years had to struggle to drum up so-called real support and acknowledgement - just because current bands can get 400K people to friend them on myspace isn’t an indication that they’re any good. I automatically friend bands from DC on myspace whether they suck or not, just because they’re from DC.
Eric P - while you have a point, most of the writers on BYT compose articles on the crapper in between real work and fun.
August 20, 2008 at 11:37 am@Eric P and barry
Hahahaha. You guys are either part of some practical joke or in serious need of lightening the fuck up.
Guilty of being SHORTS!
August 19, 2008 at 2:42 pm