Ottawa-based blues musician Angelique Francis and her band are increasingly worried about what U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic and political uncertainty could mean for touring down south.
The band, which headlined the first Wintertime Music Festival at the Gladstone Theatre on March 9, plans on playing the U.S. this summer, but Francis said they’ve discussed the implications of visiting the U.S. while Canadian patriotism is at an all-time high.
With Trump’s ongoing threats of annexing Canada and levying tariffs on critical industries, Canadians are increasingly boycotting U.S. goods and tourism amid a nationwide “buy Canadian” movement.
“There is a lot of uncertainty, so we don’t know what the future will hold,” Francis said.
Although she said the political climate has sown seeds of doubt, the band still plans on playing all its upcoming U.S. shows, opening in Washington, D.C. on July 20.
Francis, a JUNO award-winning artist, the lead singer and bassist of the band, plays alongside her two younger sisters, Kharincia and Kira Francis, their father and two family friends. Kira, a second-year music student at Carleton University, said it’s tough to ignore the news with their summer tour fast approaching.
“It is definitely currently on our mind,” she said.
With the U.S. market for touring musicians being much larger and more lucrative than Canada, Kira said the band leverages its U.S. shows to expand its reach, grow its following and make more money.
“When it comes to tours, a lot of artists will make their money selling merchandise, CDs and T-shirts,” she said.
As a sought after blues-rock outfit, Kira said the band takes note of how much different venues pay artists and whether they compensate artists for travel before each member submitting for the required P-2 work permit.
She said the permit, which costs $460 per musician and can take three to 10 months to process, is mandatory to perform in the United States. Touring without one could result in being deported, fined, ineligible for future visas or all of the above.
“If an amazing gig pops up and they want you in a month and you don’t have a license already, well too bad, because there is no way you are going to get all that paperwork done,” Kira said.
Angelique and Kira both said Trump’s tariff threats and taunts of Canada becoming the 51st state only add to the uncertainty of travel and anxiety of applying for a permit.
“It’s the president of the United States, not the people of America,” she said.
Hanson said she recently submitted the application for her P-2 work permit after giving the decision “serious consideration.” As a full-time musician, she said the bulk of her income stems from touring — especially in the American market.
“Anything that is going to impact my ability to play or sell into the United States will impact my bottom line.”
She added she is even worried that her merchandise, sold through her online website, could take a hit as many U.S. citizens look to support their own economy. This, coupled with Trump’s flippant threats, has created a heightened state of anxiety, she said.
Despite the stress of recent months, Hanson said playing at the inaugural Wintertime Music Festival was a privilege and a unique opportunity to share her songs with her hometown crowd.
“I try to keep my eye on the ball and stay focused on what I can control,” she said. “What I can do in terms of my little world.”
Featured Image by Simon McKeown/the Charlatan.
