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Underworld Magazines had an opportunity to sit down and talk with the head of Traveling Kid Productions, Tony Lagalo.

Traveling Kid Productions is a company that’s Headquarters are located in Saginaw, Michigan. If you’re unfamiliar with Saginaw, Michigan it’s a small area that’s economically in the toilet. One industry that doesn’t seem to be affected by the recession is entertainment. Even with the massive amount of people out of work, that doesn’t stop them from wanting to be entertained. Fortunately enough for this Production company there is plenty of opportunity and potential in Saginaw for the entertainment Industry.

Jordan Greve: Do you feel, that as the experts have indicated, the entertainment industry truly is recession proof?

Tony Lagalo: The entertainment industry isn’t recession proof, not this time. Some friends who work for Warner Bros just laid off a lot of people. The luxury of  having a secretary who gets the coffee and bagels in the morning is gone. A good friend of mine, Mark Funderburg  told me that his record label had a person that just got coffee and food all day. That  was all they did. That luxury is long gone, everyone’s lucky to have a janitor in these times. Where we’re at right now we don’t really care about other people getting our own coffee. We are at a point right now where it’s either go home or it’s get to work.

JG: When and how did you start your company?

TL: Well, I kind of worked my way in from helping bands book and started out as a booking agent. I was being a manager and I felt that I had to reach out to more bands. Give them insight and guidance, set up a good foundation for them. I started Traveling Kid Productions in December of 2007 because of this.

JG: Has it always been your dream to start your own company?

TL: I’ve always really wanted to, because I’ve been engulfed in music since I was about 12 years old. About how it really works, how does a guy do recording, the mechanics of it all. I really got involved with reading about recording and artists tours. Learning the terminology. I have a lot of books that are like introductions to the music industry. It’s all about experience though. When I went in and experienced it, I wasn’t so successful but with experience it got me somewhere. Still working hard, still plugging away but who isn’t right now. Even some of the artists who were living comfortably are still starting to work hard, because the markets really tough right now.

JG: Was it hard starting your own company?

TL: It was challenging at first. You kind of learn who to trust and who not to trust through experience. When you go into the music business you can go into any school or class and hang a degree on the wall and it doesn’t do any good. The people who succeed in the music industry are the people who want to succeed in it. It’s a whole different world, because it’s 24/7, the music industry no one can ever capitalize on it and turn it into a monopoly. There are so many people that are involved that are so talented and good. And it’s to that point where I have friends in the industry that business wise I don’t want to keep them.

JG: So you could say that you’ve always wanted to promote bands, which do you prefer to promote smaller bands or bigger more well known ones?

TL: I would love for every one of my shows to be able to promote a band that works the hardest. It’s so hard to find a band that is hungry and will work hard. They are a dime a dozen, these days. If they work hard, and they’re hungry and they offer something original that’s all I ask for. People are so brainwashed, because when they see Metallica play they think the show was awesome, those guys have been doing that for so long it’s just routine to them now. Whoever whines about going on tour, with 100k or 200k in their wallet deserves to be slapped in the face. If you have the opportunity to wake up every morning and love what you do and get paid for it, that is the American dream.

JG: Do you have any big events scheduled that you want to discuss?

TL: Yes, actually, my festival.  SYS (support your scene) is a festival that will be thrown in August. Two weeks after warped tour comes to Detroit, 1 month and 6 days after Dirt Fest, and right before labor day. We can really market to all the major festivals, even those not emphasizing on music. Even common interest festivals. The direction we’re taking with the festival is diversity. Every artist out there needs to look in the mirror and say I’m not here for a genre, or money I’m here for music. It’s very mind blowing about how untactful one group can be to a whole generation and onward. The evolution of music has become so bleak, and thin. It’s very drained. There needs to be a reform, and I’ve heard people say there’s going to be a music revolution.

My final question for Tony was a very important one.

JG: What’s the best way for artists to get in touch with you?

TL: Visit our myspace page, funny thing is myspace is becoming the number 2 thing. Everyone uses facebook now, when you got people poking you and sending you drinks you’re like “Dude I’m wasted and I got bruises”. Myspace.com/travelingkidproductions or for serious inquiries email hsktony@gmail.com.

Speaking with Tony I learned a lot, most promoters are out for money but I can honestly say Tony Lagallo genuinely puts the music, and the artist first. I could tell that this is what he wanted to do, and it’s truly his calling. Don’t forget to check out their website, myspace and facebook for more information. If you’re a band contact them and see what they can do for you. He left me with this final statement.

“From now until the end of my life me and the music industry will always have a love hate relationship.”

They will be announcing their full line up for SYS in June of 2009, you can find it on their website www.travelingkidproductions.com after it’s been announced.