Scandanavia?

[DeathMetal4tw]

I realize that if you play death metal, you should get ready to have a second or even third job. This has been depressing me, but I recently had a thought:

Would it be easier to live off your music in a place like Scandanavia that actually produces a ton of extreme metal? Would it be possible to move there with a band in the hopes of making a living as a musician? I wonder if they even respect American musicians there, lol

 

[genocide roach]

no. bands around the world have the same problem. and the cost of living in places like norway is waaaay higher than the US (assuming thats where youre from)
~gR~

 

[tagradh]

Yeah. Western/Northern Europe is probably the worst place to be, so fucking expensive here.

 

[genocide roach]

well, its not the worst. there is a reason its expensive. they have a shit ton of social programs like free healthcare.
~gR~

 

[tagradh]

We do? O_O

 

[SentinelSlain]

Yeah. So it's better here, you don't die.

 

[genocide roach]

We do? O_O

norway does. atleast im pretty sure they do.
~gR~

 

[SentinelSlain]

The UK has a free healthcare system and is a benefit state.

 

[tagradh]

IT IS?!?!

 

[viewerfromnihil]

Just establish a good backup man. No matter where you go, you will struggle to succeed. As for metal bands having to have 2nd and 3rd jobs when they first start, they have to have them for much longer than that. Amon Amarth had other jobs when they weren't on tour until they released With Oden On Our Side.

 

[genocide roach]

last i heard, some of the nevermore guys still have jobs.
~gR~

 

[waif]

no. bands around the world have the same problem. and the cost of living in places like norway is waaaay higher than the US (assuming thats where youre from)
~gR~

My impression is that the cost of living is theoretically high but the government helps you out so that it's not that big a deal, but I dunno.

Anyhow, I'm pretty sure that they don't want you moving there. Scandinavia is very ethnically homogeneous and they don't really want to change that. If you told them you wanted to move there to play death metal and mooch of the government I rather imagine they would turn you down.

 

[genocide roach]

meh, it is and it isnt. there are plenty of immigrants in norway. i use norway as an example because ive been there and i know a bit about it.

sure norwegians are proud of it, but there are plenty of other immigrants.

immigrating there is hard though, almost as hard as moving to an EU country.
~gR~

 

[SentinelSlain]

immigrating there is hard though, almost as hard as moving to an EU country.
~gR~

haha not for me.

 

[tagradh]

haha not for me.

hai5

 

[vainamoinen]

same!... If anywhere Ive heard that Sweden is the best place to go. Amon Amarth mentioned that the government (socialists!) actually supports the music scene and provide recording studios and rehearsal spaces to bands for little to no cost at all. I'm not sure if that is limited to people under 18 or something of the sort though. The interview was on metal kult if you wanna try to find it, they were making mead at the end!

 

[genocide roach]

i wanna open a place just like that. well, with a small membership fee instead of taxes
~gR~

 

[waif]

God it would be so awesome to have those here.

 

[TheInsane]

Now Sweden is pretty generous when it comes to opportunities for oung musicians to learn their instruments (schools for musicians etc) and we do have rehearsal places and such. However there is basically no chance that you will be able to live and pay your bills by playing metal. One of the more famous band Entombed still has day jobs as far as I know.

My band does have a record deal for the states but we're pretty much like any demo band when it comes to gigs. We often book the places ourselves and we dont get paid to play. We usually get something to eat and then a few beers and thats it.

 

[andretti]

this is true about cost of living in scandinavian lands are much higher, everything, costs of instruments are nearly double (sometimes more) you would have to learn that language to be able to get a job that pays alright. The income taxes are over 30%.

As far as moving to Sweden, legally with residence and working permits, you can apply as a "Performing Artist" this includes musicians but you have to have..

- written invitation from the established organizers along with the contract of the insurance, pay and signatures from both parties.

-A written offer of employment by your employer in sweden which you will need to enclose in your application. (The contract they can get from swedens migration board)

Im not really sure how long that process will take, it could be weeks or months, but probably no longer than 8 months.


I hope this helps for anyone wanting to tour in all of sweden

skål