Spring Break
NT alumnus launches Denton music promo site
Melissa Crowe
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
For years, musicians looking to promote shows or songs via the Internet relied on Web sites like MySpace and Facebook.
Tony Spiro recognized the singularity these sites came with and decided to do something about it after graduating from NT's College of Music in 2007.
"Since there's nothing like this and I thought people would use it, I decided to do it myself," Spiro said of his promotional Web site, mydentonmusic.com.
The Web site started off as just a weekly calendar of Denton's nightlife that now features 15 venues and enough events to keep even the biggest party-hopper busy.
Gradually, Spiro modified the site, adding the Denton Music Player, which features free streaming of MP3 songs by Denton musicians, Artist's Spotlight and direct links to purchase local music from CD Baby, an online independent music store.
After all this, Spiro's vision was still not complete.
"I made the rough draft of the Web site and I've been pretty happy with the function of it so far," Spiro said. "I hired a professional web designer to finish it up."
A free 18-and-older Web site opening party for the new mydentonmusic.com starts at 9 p.m. Friday at Andy's Bar & Grill on the Square.
The party will feature three local bands: Fatty Lumpkins, Liquid Bounce and Backside Pick, Spiro's band.
Hundreds of dollars of prizes will be given away courtesy of local sponsors Cooper's Copies, Greenhouse Restaurant, Lightning Bear Productions, Recycled Books and Records, Richard Brother's Music and Sky Guitars.
"They all understand and recognize the music community in Denton is totally unique compared to Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin," Spiro said. "People have been talking about Denton being the new Austin; I don't think I can agree with that."
He said Denton has its own thing going on and the musicians and bands on this Web site "help create the uniqueness of the Denton music scene."
Erik Anderson, owner of Sky Guitars, said the Web site is great for Denton's music scene because it helps inform people what is going on any night of the week.
"Great shows get missed because people didn't know who was playing that night," Anderson said.
Spiro said the Web site encompasses Denton's entire music scene, from musicians to venues.
"It's really exposed the Denton music scene to anybody, including musicians who want to stop off in Denton on a tour in the country," Spiro said.
However, Spiro is not in the business to compete with anybody.
"He just wants to add to Denton's scene and give people a way to find out about good music," Anderson said.
The sponsors of the event knew Denton's music scene needs support and help spread the word about the music community's Web site, Spiro said.
"It's something that everybody is going to be using to plan his or her nightlife," he said.
Tony Spiro recognized the singularity these sites came with and decided to do something about it after graduating from NT's College of Music in 2007.
"Since there's nothing like this and I thought people would use it, I decided to do it myself," Spiro said of his promotional Web site, mydentonmusic.com.
The Web site started off as just a weekly calendar of Denton's nightlife that now features 15 venues and enough events to keep even the biggest party-hopper busy.
Gradually, Spiro modified the site, adding the Denton Music Player, which features free streaming of MP3 songs by Denton musicians, Artist's Spotlight and direct links to purchase local music from CD Baby, an online independent music store.
After all this, Spiro's vision was still not complete.
"I made the rough draft of the Web site and I've been pretty happy with the function of it so far," Spiro said. "I hired a professional web designer to finish it up."
A free 18-and-older Web site opening party for the new mydentonmusic.com starts at 9 p.m. Friday at Andy's Bar & Grill on the Square.
The party will feature three local bands: Fatty Lumpkins, Liquid Bounce and Backside Pick, Spiro's band.
Hundreds of dollars of prizes will be given away courtesy of local sponsors Cooper's Copies, Greenhouse Restaurant, Lightning Bear Productions, Recycled Books and Records, Richard Brother's Music and Sky Guitars.
"They all understand and recognize the music community in Denton is totally unique compared to Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin," Spiro said. "People have been talking about Denton being the new Austin; I don't think I can agree with that."
He said Denton has its own thing going on and the musicians and bands on this Web site "help create the uniqueness of the Denton music scene."
Erik Anderson, owner of Sky Guitars, said the Web site is great for Denton's music scene because it helps inform people what is going on any night of the week.
"Great shows get missed because people didn't know who was playing that night," Anderson said.
Spiro said the Web site encompasses Denton's entire music scene, from musicians to venues.
"It's really exposed the Denton music scene to anybody, including musicians who want to stop off in Denton on a tour in the country," Spiro said.
However, Spiro is not in the business to compete with anybody.
"He just wants to add to Denton's scene and give people a way to find out about good music," Anderson said.
The sponsors of the event knew Denton's music scene needs support and help spread the word about the music community's Web site, Spiro said.
"It's something that everybody is going to be using to plan his or her nightlife," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
percy heath
posted 9/23/08 @ 2:48 AM CST
can tony count to 4?
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