Quote:
Originally Posted by targa911S
I have been approached by a national act to do 12 dates overseas. Having never been a sideman before, what do I need to have covered with these guys before I step on an airplane for Sweden? Obviously a passport, but what other things like equipment, air fares, food and lodging. Should all this be contractual? If so what should that contract look like?
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You should probably do a "work for hire" contract that states the time period of your employ, and how much you are getting paid for that specified time period. Don't break it down into shows and days off, just make it a lump sum. If a show cancels, your contract shows a lump sum. This contract will place the tax burden on you as an independent conractor, but also free you from any . . .er . . . "liablities" should they arise.
Your equipment (backline?), air fare, and lodging should be taken care of in full and NOT negotiated in your compensation. You shouldn't have to deal with any details at all, and be included as a part of their travel group. They should want it that way anyway; adding one person to their travel group is much easier and keeps everyone together, and that's especially important overseas. They will also take the write-off for all the big-ticket expenses of taking you with them.
As far as food, just like here at home, bands usually ask to be fed at each venue as part of their contract. If not, you get a "buy out" in cash instead of food.
If you want, you could ask for a perdiem for each day, regardless of if there's a show or not. Or, you could ask for a $xx perdiem on a show day and a $xx perdiem on a non-show day. That way if there's 5 days between shows, you're not broke and hungry.
As far as the equipment, surely you will be backlining equipment? you need to talk to the band's management and get squared away on what your backline requirements are; what you "want" (ideally) and what you're "willing to deal with." Especially overseas. Even if you ship gear or take some with you, remember that the AC is different, and you need to make sure every venue has the proper equipment to accomodate US-powered gear. If for some reason you ARE shipping some gear, see if you can get it sent with their band gear and hopefully blanketed by their insurance policy, if they have one.
All in all, you just need to talk to the tour manager, or the band's manager, or both, if there are both, and just have an informational talk about all your concerns. If they've done this trip before, you should have no worries. If you're nervous about their ability to keep it all together, then just take a credit card with you so you can get home if something really bad happens. Which it wont.
