In the December issue of Alternative Press, Men, Women and Children’s lead singer TJ Penzone gives insight on “navigating the music industry”. Here’s what he to say:

1) The First step is acceptance
Like it or not, your band is a business and you have to be smart and build your team right. Otherwise, the chances of you getting bent and spent are really high. You have to realize that there is a whole side to being in a band other than just playing music, which is unfortunate. But finding peopel to take away the stresses of dealing with the business side of your band and your music is essential, and it makes it easier for you as an artist to focus on writing, recording and touring.

2) Our team wants… um… the guy in the Armani suit
If you’re going to have a deal with any sort of contracts, whether they are with label representatives, management or anything like that you will definitely need a lawyer. That should come first. Don’t just look in the Yellow Pages or call 1-800-LAWYERS unless you were hurt after slipping on the floor at your local hot topic.

3) That “Networking” Box on Myspace? Click it.
You need to talk to bands that you have played with or bands that you like and see who works with them. Get recommendations and work on networking. Take meetings (but don’t bring your mom or girlfriend along) and ask a million questions. Try to feel out whether or not this lawyer is a slimy slithery gutter snake or a big, sweet teddy bear with a law degree who might actually care about you and your music. The irony of me writing this article is that when Men, Women & Children began, we just inherited our guitarist Todd’s lawyer from his days in Glassjaw.

4) We’ve got some business you can manage
Regarding a business manager, it is straight up stupid to hire someone to look after your money you don’t have. You should wait until you have real icnome before you after that angle. Make sure you’re making enough money to not care that someone has their hands down your pants and that they’re taking 5 percent of your loot and teling you not to buy that new iPod with the great new electric foot rubber built in. Also, that 5 percent is nothing compared to the percentages that everyone else working with you takes home before you get paid.

5) If you’re in it for the money, you’re in for it.
Not everyone has connections immediately, but you will find that the more you work at writing and playing, constantly making fans and having something to offer, people will come to you as you reaching out to them. But, if you care more about finding managers, lawyers, labels and that sort of thing before you have solid music, and a strong live show, then something is really wrong, and your game plan needs some serious revisions. And, at the end of it all, who comes first? Most likely everyone else.

If you would like to see the scan from the article, please click here.