Head Dress Tattoo blog

Dear Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero,

On May 25, 2007, I attended your concert at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, England. During the show, Gabriela announced that you had recently experienced trouble in obtaining work visas to tour in the United States. She explained that Mr. Sanchez had been mistaken for a terrorist, and this delayed your tour plans, resulting in some cancelled shows. You then played a song entitled “Fuck the U.S.A.,” and everyone in the venue cheered.

However, you haven’t avoided further touring in America, as is evident by your scheduled performance at the inaugural Rothbury Festival. I also saw you perform on August 5, 2007 at Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL. At that show, you thanked Chicago radio stations for their support in playing your song “Tamacun” — a song I have heard on Detroit radio as well. In fact, it seems that you’ve been building a pretty dedicated fan base in America, even though you have committed to decrying our country abroad.

I am not writing you now to seek revenge. I have battled with my anger and frustration over the past year, but I have forgiven you. Instead, I have two goals. First, I want to explain the current state of the U.S. Government, and how that is related to your unfortunate tour interruption. Second, I want to ask you for an explanation for your actions, which — given that you bashed the U.S., but then continued to play shows here — are hypocritical.

By many standards, the American governmental system has reached an all-time low of integrity, honor and accountability. George W. Bush is the latest in a long line of buffoons who have made a mockery out of the Executive Office, but he very well might be the worst. He has exemplified the anti-intellectual deterioration of our nation’s leadership. He has dismantled the separation between church and state by setting forth a decree of Christian Fundamentalism. He has initiated and sustained a war on an invisible enemy in order to secure the financial interests of himself and others in the Middle East.

There have also been extensive legislative movements to lessen our American civil liberties, including the Homeland Security Act and the Patriot Act. The worst part is that most citizens aren’t even aware that these acts were passed, let alone understand their negative effects. For example, the government can now enter our homes without a warrant to search our belongings, and detain a person without trial if they are suspected of terrorist activity. Now, the federal government wants to cooperate with communication companies so they will help to spy on citizens without court approval. This compromise will alleviate the companies’ legal concerns, but leaves much room for abuse of privacy.

My point is this: AMERICANS ARE ANGRY, TOO! We are already missing the freedoms we so clearly took for granted. We are tired of being lied to by people that we should be able to trust. We, as a national community, are disgusted with the domestic conduct and foreign policy of our government. We don’t want to be the enemy of the entire world, but we haven’t known how to change things.

The Internet has helped. It is bringing people together to exchange ideas and educated ourselves in ways never before accomplished. Even music festivals like Rothbury are a product of the interconnectivity, since we’re realizing how good it feels to congregate for constructive causes, like sustainability and carbon neutrality. We’re also remembering that music is one of the strongest and most pervasive types of human culture.

If you were addressing our government alone, then I thank you and I ask that you continue to do the same — if only after refining your language. But if you were blending the American government with the American people, then I ask you to reconsider your statement. America is a beautiful place with a strong spirit and an indestructible heart, and the people here are waking up from the haze of ignorance laid over us by our leaders.

Rothbury is an opportunity for us to come together and make a positive difference in the world, by aligning our ideas and actions towards similar goals. When we assemble like this, it shows us that the things we have in common are far stronger and more real than our differences. And, most importantly, it gives us a chance to celebrate music, when we truly align with the beat of Earth’s heart.

But first, every one must admit to their mistakes and consciously choose to walk towards a better future. I ask that you clarify or apologize for what you said. Then, we’ll all meet at Rothbury with cleansed psyches and emotions, and have the biggest festival the state of Michigan has ever seen.

Sincerely,
Nick Meador

This letter was also sent to the band’s manager, press agent, and U.S. record label (ATO Records), as well as Rothbury Festival organizers.