Sunday, November 28, 2010

Why more New Zealand bands need to get the hell out of NZ and tour overseas

Beacuse you come back with tour stories like this one....

"I was really stoked when, in Oslo, James Mercer [of the Shins] introduced me to his friend/bandmate Brian. He said 'Brian, this is Ryan from the Ruby Suns'. Then Brian said something like 'Oh, Ruby Suns, I've got a couple of your records. Sea Lion, that's a great record.' and I said, 'Wow, thanks'. Brian is Dangermouse."

That's from Ryan McPhun of The Ruby suns, who set off touring their new record in Feb this year, and wrapped up in November. Read some of his tour highlights over at Amplifier.

5 comments:

Dubber said...

Overseas has quite a large population too. I just got back from Sao Paulo. That's just one city in overseas with about three New Zealands worth of people in it.

Juha said...

I agree, but isn't it quite hard for NZ band to GTHOONZ and tour overseas? In terms of visas and permits, that is.

Spoke to the former bassist in The Chills a while ago, who recounted their tour to the UK. Manager said "no problems, permits are done" but when they got to Heathrow, that wasn't the case. Turned around at the airport. Ouch.

JKing said...

Or when [NZ Rock Band] went to UK -- drilled by manager: "say you're here on holiday, say you're here on holiday, say you're here on holiday" ... Band go through UK immigration *separately* (they're just a bunch of kiwis arriving on holiday, after all) and each says, one after the other, 'we're here on holiday' ... except the guitarist who says "here to play a few shows with my band". On next plane home. Shows don't happen. Or at least delayed ...

Simon said...

Pauly Fuemana did Top of The Pops (first time) on a tourist visa. We only had 5 days warning so we turned up at Heathrow and I said to him 'Say you are here for a holiday' which he did. However the guy saw the guitar and asked if he played. 'Yes' said Pauly 'I'm here to play it on Top Of The Pops'. The guy either though he was joking or didn't hear and stamped us through.

The second time we had to go to France for the day as the BBC wanted to see the visa and Polydor arranged it

Peter McLennan said...

Cheers for the comments! Pretty much every NZ band I've seen after they've come back from touring overseas has learnt the value of playing heaps and heaps - a great stage show is a must. You only get one shot at winning over a new audience.