Photo courtesy of Minnesota Music Mafia on Facebook

Musicians, mark your calendars: There’s an event this week at McNally Smith College of Music you should know about, “Moan & Groan: A Critical Conversation of Today’s Music Industry.” In conjunction with the college’s annual Speakeasy conversation, Minnesota Music Mafia and McNally Smith are co-presenting a free, public panel discussion on the practical realities (and frustrations) of making a career in music business.

Panelists include: First Ave’s longtime general manager, Nate Kranz; Lance Conrad from Humans Win! recording studio and the grassroots group, Minnesota Music Mafia; Monty Lee Wilkes of Transient Response; Ellen Stanley (aka Mother Banjo) from the Minnesota Music Coalition and host of KFAI’s “Womenfolk” show;  Austin Tofte from The Base Studio and the band Swimming with Dolphins (and formerly, Owl City); and David Lewis from the McNally Smith Career Services office.

It’s an occasion for working musicians to commiserate and talk shop, to air their difficulties and ask questions of seasoned professionals, including some of the very gatekeepers whose attention they need to push their careers forward. Questions the panel will start with: “Do you wonder why some things are covered by the media and others not? Are you frustrated with the process of finding work? Are you getting gigs but not making enough money to pay the bills?”

For those trying to make a go of it in this industry-in-flux, what better way to spend a Tuesday night?

“Moan & Groan: A Critical Conversation of Today’s Music Industry” will take place December 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at McNally Smith College of Music (room 70), 19 Exchange St. E, St. Paul. There will be free wine, coffee and snacks. Those attending are welcome to offer concerns, complaints and questions for the panelists either openly or anonymously. For more information, visit the college events calendar or the Facebook listing for this Speakeasy discussion.