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Hey fellas, Im thinking about selling my house in Spain and move to the US, considering my sound engineering background (20 years of experience) and they way I play guitar (a blend of flamenco, jazz and blues) I used to play rock too, which place you think is best? I guess Nashville but some people think Miami because of the Latino community, English is not an issue for me as Ive lived in London for five years and LA supposed to be paradise for engineers/mixers.
If anyone wants to check my guitar style here is a playlist with five of my new compositions played in one single take live.
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01-09-2026 02:33 PM
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Nice playing!
What are you trying to do? Studio work? Gigs? Solo or Band? All of the above? Make money? Boost chops? Experience American culture? What's the primary objective? The market for actual jazz and blues is probably at a historic low right now. The market for someone playing up their Spanish Flamenco-classical background could be very profitable in the right area but none of the places you suggested would be my first choice for that. Maybe Miami....
I lived in Nashville in 2006. I lived in and gigged around central FL for quite a few years. Most of my direct family is in FL (but not Miami). I currently live in the Austin TX area and one of my current bandmates is a recent transplant from L.A. I actually know several former L.A area people here tbh....
Your musical goals, budget, and general lifestyle preferences (food, weather, culture, language, etc) would make it easier for me and others to make some recommendations.
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Well my goal is to survive there, get any kind of visa, get studio work as musician and mixing engineer and play live with good musicians. I prefer hotter weather than cold, love all food so no probs with that, I speak English fluently so I dont care if theres a lot of Spanish speaking people around...I can have a really good quality of life here but I want to develop my career as mixer and musician and the US seems the place, well, not the best time to move there tbh but the other option would be Indonesia, Vietnam, China....
Just as note, I used to play electric guitar in function bands 20 years ago so I have no probs playing blues/rock stuff, I have to say that cause for whatever reason people asociate me only with jazz or flamenco cause those are the styles that I practice more in the past years.
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Consider applying for an artist visa. I have known a couple Canadians that were able to spend quite a few years gigging in the US through artist visas. If you are gigging for $ without a visa and get caught it won't be good. The USA has def tightened up on people working illegally right now but you could probably manage it if you are freelancing for a bandleader or club who doesn't know your status. Probably not the best idea for a few reasons though....
Originally Posted by Basshead
Have you released any records as a musician or done work as an engineer that gained any commercial traction? Having a good portfolio of work on hand could really help reduce the amount of time you'd need to spend networking to break into a scene. You'd be able to spearhead your move before you put your boots on the ground for gigs (assuming you have a work permit). Otherwise I'd plan on having a couple years of living cash on hand in order to break in.
I can tell you based on experience that while Nashville is the more reasonably affordable US metro area vs LA or Miami, it is not a good choice for someone trying to make money playing live music. Some of the very best guitar players in the world are playing downtown for $50-100 per night per man plus tips. Country music, mostly. That scene is unbelievably competitive in terms of guitar. There is no higher concentration of great guitarists anywhere in the world. Even if you can really play, you are just another dude with a guitar in Nashville until you establish something of your own.
Unless I already had arranged some quality paying work I wouldn't go to California because the cost of living is mostly outside my reach without me first making some huge sacrifices. Of your three choices I would probably look closest at Miami. Good weather. Still (somewhat) affordable. Cosmopolitan. A wider ranging music scene vs Nashville, and quite a few people moving to FL is keeping money and new playing opportunities happening. Hopefully I haven't come across as too negative. It's not a very good time for original blues and jazz music right now but someone who hustles can still make things happen regardless of where they go. Good luck with your adventure!
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OK thanks, one point to Miami!
I got plenty of records (credits) but all of them indie, nothing famous but most of my mixing clients online, actually 70% of them in the past ten years are from the US, things are slow now, the economy is bad in all west/occident world.
My showreel here: Miguel Dembora Showreel - playlist by msound | Spotify
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Any tip on how to apply for artists visa from abroad?
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You'll need an American sponsor for an artist visa, and probably a lawyer too unless you can handle a few hundred pages of legal stuff yourself (one friend did it herself but it's difficult). Your best scenario for an artist visa is to find someone in Spain that has done it and learn details from them. Artists visas have gotten a lot more difficult and quite expensive in the last few years.
Another way is studies. You can get a student visa, study something, bachelor or masters etc, which will help with connections, future employment etc..
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Oh ok thats really smart, any school you can recommend that I could apply for visa and some kind of schoolarship?
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University of Miami. Originally Posted by Basshead
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In order to play by yourself some jazz, flamenco, bolero... repertory in hotels and events...Miami or Nashville?
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Definitely Miami (and surrounding area) in my opinion. As mentioned above Nashville is all about country. Originally Posted by Basshead
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Depends on finances, programs you find interesting, which part of the US interests you etc..
I'd search and ask around, then apply to multiple colleges and universities. Some have scholarship auditions online, others have scholarship tours even, or they have departments in Europe you can visit.
If studying, there's also the route of moving to a major European city to do it, so no US. I do believe jazz studies (and jazz music) are on a much higher level in the US, but so are also the tuition expenses!
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The O1-B visa might apply for your circumstances: details here. Originally Posted by Basshead
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Cheers guys, that O1-B looks great, do you really think I could apply for that? maybe because my skillset (musician,producer,engineer who speaks Spanish native and fluent English) is kinda useful in Miami? or based on my Flamenco/Latin music singularity?
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No offence but, Have you read this carefully ? Originally Posted by Basshead
From the application form:
O-1B: Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts
This is evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered, to the extent that you are prominent, renowned, leading, or well-known in the field of arts.
S
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This is the first part of a long 6 pages long quick chat with Gemini....
Given your background as a professional musician and sound engineer with over 20 years of experience, that advice from the Jazz forum is quite well-founded. The O-1B Visa (Individual of Extraordinary Ability in the Arts) is specifically designed for professionals like you who can demonstrate "distinction" in their field.
Based on your career highlights, here is an analysis of how your profile aligns with the USCIS requirements and what you would need to prepare.
1. Why you are a strong candidate
To qualify, you don't necessarily need a Grammy (though it helps); you need to meet at least three of the following criteria. Your profile already touches several:
- Lead or Starring Role in Distinguished Productions: Your work as a sound engineer for international artists and your primary focus on online mixing/mastering for various projects likely qualifies. You would need to prove these projects or the artists you worked with are "distinguished."
- National or International Recognition: Your music award nominations and press coverage from your career in Spain and London are key pieces of evidence here.
- Critical Role for Distinguished Organizations: If you have worked for major studios, record labels, or prestigious festivals (like your event with Bob Moog), these count as critical roles.
- Significant Recognition from Experts: The "Bob Moog milestone" is a major asset. A letter of recommendation or historical proof of that collaboration serves as high-level expert recognition.
- Commercial Success: Proof of sales, streaming numbers for tracks you’ve mixed/mastered, or high "standing in the field" (like your endorsements) helps satisfy this.
2. The Application Framework
Since you are a "dual-threat" (musician and engineer), you can apply based on your overall career in the Arts.
Key Requirements:- A U.S. Petitioner: You cannot self-petition. You need a U.S. agent or employer (like a studio, label, or a specialized management agency) to file the I-129 form for you.
- The "Advisory Opinion": You must obtain a "Consultation Letter" from a peer group or labor union. For a Jazz guitarist/engineer, this usually comes from the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
- The Itinerary: You must show a "deal memo" or a schedule of work for the duration of the visa (up to 3 years). This could be a series of mixing projects, teaching workshops, or a tour.
3. Practical Steps for You
Given your 20+ years of experience, the challenge won't be your talent, but the documentation.
- Gather "The Paper Trail": Collect every award nomination, program from your Spanish classical guitar days, photos with Bob Moog, and credits on albums you have mastered.
- Expert Letters: You will need roughly 7–10 testimonial letters from industry heavyweights. Your collaborations with international artists since moving to London in 2009 will be vital for this.
- Spanish/English Translation: Since much of your early career was in Spain, any press or certificates must be officially translated.
Comparison: O-1B vs. P-1B
If you were traveling only as part of a band, you might look at a P-1B. However, because you are an individual expert (especially with your sound engineering focus), the O-1B is much better because it is more flexible and can be renewed indefinitely.
- Lead or Starring Role in Distinguished Productions: Your work as a sound engineer for international artists and your primary focus on online mixing/mastering for various projects likely qualifies. You would need to prove these projects or the artists you worked with are "distinguished."
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Oh...and this...
Part 4: Costs & Timelines (2026 Standards)- USCIS Filing Fee: ~$1,055 (for I-129).
- Asylum Program Fee: ~$300–$600 (required for most petitions).
- Premium Processing: $2,805 (if you want an answer in 15 days).
- Lawyer Fees: Usually range from $4,000 to $8,000 for artists.
- USCIS Filing Fee: ~$1,055 (for I-129).
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One other thing to check out and you need to be a realist. Check out the cost of health insurance and health care. That is one reason im left the states. Dont think that you have checked the cost of insurance and therefore you know. Insurance is just the start and it pays very little until you meet high deductibles. Its easy as a European to take healthcare for granted. In the US its no joking matter if you dont have an employeer with a generous benefits package. Also dont be taken in by the idea of lower taxes. If you combine federal tax with state tax and your cost for health insurance you will likely pay more in taxes than you do in the EU. I know I did by a lot.
This is a tough time to move to the US. Jobs are pretty slim. Companies are very unsure so they are not hiring. Just be careful.
...and I hope you like guns becuase many states now allow people to carry them on their person...so dont piss off strangers.
LA might be the place to be but its damn expensive. My son lives there and it costs a fortune to maintain a very non-glamorous lifestyle.
From where I stand the EU looks pretty good.
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Yeah to be honest quality of life here in Spain is a lot better than in the US, but Im a musician/engineer you know, Im bored here, I need some adventures and be surronded by good music, pro active people and opportunities.
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Maybe rent your house out for a bit and look in some of the countries up north for some opportunities.
Im just saying there might be some middle ground between the current moment and selling everything to start over.
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Lets burn the ships and fresh start...maybe visit the US for 3 months and then straight to South East Asia is the right option.
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Wouldn't be a bad idea at all. Would allow you to put your boots on the ground without the huge financial commitment to see if you really wanted to be here. 3 months would let the "newness" of a vacation-adventure wear off and give you a feel for daily life. JMHO, if I had residency in Spain or other EU nation I probably wouldn't waste my time in the states, but that's me looking out from the inside, not in from the outside, so it's just one man's perspective. Things are kind of tough here right now, especially financially. Originally Posted by Basshead
As for the "people carrying guns" stuff. Treat others here with respect and you will be treated with respect, just like everywhere else in the world. Avoid the high crime areas of town and definitely avoid getting angry or retaliating in-kind on the roadways with pissed off drivers. Everyone in FL and TX pretty much does have a gun in their vehicle, even the anti-gun people, lol.
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Have you researched housing costs for those cities? You may be SHOCKED and don't forget that virtually all other costs of living will be, while not on the same scale, likely substantially higher than you might be familiar with.
Edit: Very fine playing.
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You planning on getting a short term apartment rental and a car? Originally Posted by Basshead
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Might be good for him to know you're basically DOA without a car in most of the USA if you are trying to hustle in the music world. A lot of bands would disqualify working with you based on your lack of transportation alone. Originally Posted by Stevebol
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