Happy October - We want your feedback!

We admit we're not the best bloggers. However, we hope our constant tweets and fresh articles have been enough to keep you stoked about this city's amazing music. Here's what we've been up to:

Backend
We've been working hard at making TMS as accessible as possible in terms of everything from navigation to appearance. We've spent a good deal of time working on the "related posts" feature. This might be boring to you, but for us it's exciting. Now when you click on an article about Die Mannequin, for example, it pulls up all articles/reviews on the site pertaining to Die Mannequin. It's definitely a fun feature we're enjoying on our end.

Contributors
Don't be alarmed if you're seeing new names pop up on TMS. We're getting our contributors out there. If you're interested in contributing, do not hesitate to contact Sheena (that's me!). We're especially looking for people to write show reviews. If you're an avid lover of live music why not give us a shout. TMS is very much a community and the more shows we cover the better it is for the community as a whole.

Contests
To make TMS even more exciting for our readers, we will be posting contests on a regular basis. We've already posted three and we have many more lined up, so keep check back often. Still to give away: Modernboys Moderngirls, the Johnstones and Balconies (to name a few).

Feedback
We're starting to get ideas together for the launch of TMS 3.0 and we're looking for your feedback on the following areas:
- What sections of the site do you read the most often?
- What sections of the site fo you read the least?
- What features or layout differences would you like to see in order to make your navigation and viewing experience more pleasurable?
- Would you like to see anything added to TMS?

If you have any suggestions or feedback (both positive and negative critiquing), please contact TJ and let us know what you would like to see on TMS>

As always, keep on Rockin,

Sheena
www.torontomusicscene.ca

WHY HELLOOOooooOooOoOooO!!!!

Wow, talk about an un-updated blog. I'm surprised the blog police didn't track me down and serve me with papers. On and on we gooo....

WARPED TOUR
We spent some time hanging out at the 15th Annual Warped Tour on July 10. We got to meet some wicked punk rockers and some not-at-all punk rockers. Seriously Kevin Lyman, what the fuck? I know times are changing and we all need to make our money, but doesn't enlisting Myspace bands totally diminish the credibility of the tour as a whole? Have I become a jaded old lady, or do "bands" like BROKENside and Millionaires have more of a right to be there than actual musicians, AKA people who actually know how to play guitars and drums in real life?? If punk rock is dead, it died when these two forces combined. Harsh, but true.

TWITTER
The reason I had to post my rant on this blog is because it wouldn't fit on our BRAND NEW TWITTER ACCOUNT!!! Seriously, I have never been so excited for 140 characters in my entire life. We'll be adding a link on the home page so you can see our updates all the time. Don't forget to follow us! We'll return the favour. We believe in give and take.


Other things you should know:
- We have recently gotten a bunch of new contributors, so expect more fresh faces and content on Toronto Music Scene
- We will be making a show announcement VERY SOON!!!
- Keep checking back, constantly adding new content

Keep on rockin!

- Sheena

CMW + Updates!

First off, I apologize if things have seemed quiet on the TMS front. Both TJ and myself were hit with a nasty flu virus we're still fighting off. Though its worst was seemingly during CMW, we didn't let it stop us! We went to shows every night and will be bringing you reviews as soon as possible. We also chatted with the Ghost is Dancing and Machetes, so look forward to those interviews.

A lot of things have been happening behind the scenes too. TJ has been working tirelessly to add tons of band bios to our roster, so if you're ever looking for new music be sure to check that section out.

We've also been working on upping initiatives that will expose TMS to a broader network of websites and people. You will probably notice some small changes to TMS, but rest assured it is for the greater of Toronto music. We love the music in this city and want the world to see the great talents being featured on TMS.

That's all for now! Stay tuned for updates and photos!

Keep on rockin',

- Sheena

Who Will Be Canada’s Next Radio Star?

Hey guys,

Just got this press release stating the finalists for the 16th annual Canadian national songwriting competition have been announced. Canadian Radio Star is part of Canadian Music Week.

Taken from the release:

The finalists will perform at the Canadian Radio Star showcase, with performances by hosts Andy Kim and Tomi Swick, taking place at the Library Bar, Fairmont Royal York Hotel on Friday, March 13, 2009. Presented by the Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC), this showcase will allow all the finalists to perform their winning songs to a live audience.

The regional finalists are:
STATION WINNER SONG TITLE
CKZZ-FM The Latency "Tonight, I Love You"
CFBR-FM My Sister Ocean "IndoctriNation"
CJAY-FM Zoo Lion "Pry"
CJDJ-FM John Antoniuk "Out There"
CIZL-FM Jeffery Straker "Flatlines"
CKMM-FM Taylor Demetrioff "Now Boarding Flight 586 to Winnipeg"
CKFM-FM Tigerbomb "Nothing To Prove"(Patrick Cooke/Jay McGroarty)--> Toronto
CKQB-FM Watters Brothers "Life Is A Gas"
CJFM-FM Seven Days "Angel Lies"
CJYC-FM Stephanie Mainville "Wait"
CFRQ-FM Andrew Hunter "The Feel Good Song"
VOCM-FM The Insiders "This Time Now" (Jeff Martin/Tino Borges)

Regional finalists were picked by participating radio stations and public on-line voting based on the creativity, originality, composition, lyrics, melody and radio airplay potential of their songs.

For more information and to vote for your favourite check out www.radiostar.ca.

SHRED Party at Tattoo Rock Parlour tonight!!!

Though not officially affiliated with TMS, I've been working with the SHRED charity and we're having ourselves a ROCK SHOW/DANCE PARTY tonight. Come check it out and say hi if you have a chance!

Are you also throwing shows? Send us your flyers and we'll post them in the blog.

Rock!

- Sheena

Wanna be a rockstar?

So maybe you missed the application deadline for Canadian Music Week (or maybe you didn't, you just want more, more, more!) and you're wondering what other kinds of opportunities are available out there for you.

Well my friends, I have some great news. Certain gigs are accepting artists right now!

BATTALA ROCKSTARS

Battala Rockstars, the group that throws on those huge BotB competitions eventually resulting the winning band receiving a grand prize value at $25,000 which includes recording time, touring, exposure and more…see full grand prize details below, is accepting applications for their 2009 Battala Series.

Bands can sign up to receive a registration package at www.battalarockstars.com.

NORTH BY NORTHEAST - June 17-21

NXNE is gearing up for its 15th year of extended last call, drunken rock and roll debauchery and of course, 500 wicked bands. Time to apply my friends.

Click here to apply via Sonicbids.

Click here to check out more about NXNE.

ALlllloOooOOoOoooooooOOoOOo!

Why hello friends!

We put out a call and you listened! Mass amounts of records have shown up in my mailbox over the past couple weeks and we've been reviewing as fast as we can. The front page is all CD Reviews, I think that's a TMS first! We've got some more coming your way, including the Artist Life, The Creepshow, Isle of Thieves, Jane's Party and more!

Don't worry though, we love us some live shows and interviews so this is what we've got coming up for you lovelies.

Feb 5 we're hitting Punkorama/Underground Operations' FU Awards where we'll be chatting with DIE MANNEQUIN (finallllly) and the FLATLINERS!

Feb 11 the Beatitful Unknown and DJ RacerMotorz are playing a benefit show for a snowboarding charity called SHRED that I, Sheena, am involved with. I booked these performers and would love if you could come to Tattoo Rock Parlour to support SHRED (www.shredforyouth.com), TMS and Me!!!!

Feb 13 we're checking out and chatting with the Von Bondies (and you better be too, because this is pretty damn epic!!!)

There will be much more to be announced soon. We're also looking to get back into throwing rock parties, let us know if your band is interested in playing!

Keep on Rockin'!

luv Sheena