see recent updates on cosmic energy with with equinox news.
cosmic energy on torontorox torontorox.com/cosmicenergy

sun worship on torontorox torontorox.com/Sun Worship

wolf moon at timeand date

mibgb on torontorox torontorox.com/mibgb

MIBGB Season 12, every episode in a commercial free playlist.
it’s a podcast too. idk much about that. book now for the potentially infamous season 13. scary – boo!

pop music comes in every genre. it’s mostly good looking. that’s for good video. and it’s surprising that after 13 years, i personally don’t know every artist from ontario yet… it’s a lot!
we’re here for originals mostly. not just torontorox. but it does. stay connected to the rox for the good ones. share your band in comments i’ll include it. oh ya! i did interviews on location. so it’s still season 13. Musicians In Bars Getting Beer . get yo self interviewed.

“now sit back, relax and listen to some slow trax” JC dawn.fm

more interesting xtras:
hot rox xtra
dj it…

robot! i can’t call him tojo anymore (until the movie release)
go tojo on torontorox torontorox.com/tojo

the first one:
hot torontorox hotrox-2024-01

facebook events

now sit back relax and listen to some slow trax



short trek and more interesting xtras:
hot rox xtra
dj it…

robot! we’re big on AI now so the physical device is in school…
go tojo on torontorox torontorox.com/tojo

the first one:
hot torontorox hotrox-2024-01

the idea is to use AI to create an interactive mapping system in which venues are the highlights. Hopefully the intelligence can elevate over time in terms of learning our streets and venue names. These preview images aren’t very accurate, yet, but i believe AI art will learn and this method will enhance and encourage real life interaction. As the IV map gathers information it will be more fun and informative. Fans of bands will be able to preview the venues by zooming in. Imagine the resolution when zooming in on Queen Street West. Ideally, in a not too distant future, fans might be able to see the traffic, parking and of course ticket availability and line-ups too. Connecting each venue to its social media will provide a future in which our viewers can preview participating live stream. much more coming soon!

here’s the newest video releases from artists in and around toronto.

newest releases first! this is a youtube playlist of videos released by bands in toronto’s province – not country.
it’s called ontarionian new releases (official video):

torontorox.com launched in 2012 with listings, feeds and editorials about the art of live music. photos and videos emerged and so did free ticket contests. co-operative promotional events continue, as do concert reviews. about a dozen are published in an LA magazine about the Rock N Roll Industry. this city’s discriminating audience embraces art – new and old; silent and loud!

musiciansinbarsgettingbeer.com (offline) rox too! season 10 is in planning. more JUNO winners this year. let’s go get a beer and your band can talk to the camera. 9 seasons so far with Steven Leckie, Bif Naked, Lazo, Markus Reuter, Sue Foley, Sally Shaar, Gowans, Greg Godovitz, Gordie Johnson, Barney Bentall, Bill King, Exco Levi, Darren Smith, Richard Underhill, Stich Wynston and about 200 more!

video playlist shot by b!||yzee.

videos posted since 2014 were generally shot with a ‘zoom Q2’ – HD and hi-fi! some iphone clips and older videos are posted for reference and historical significance. videos don’t do justice to the live experience. your presence is the artist’s best reward.

the live feeds on these pages are torontorox twitter lists and facebook posts. bands are encouraged to tweet @tdotrox and share a promo on torontorox wall. weekly cross promotions are especially effective.

more info on all these projects on fb, youtube, twitter, instagram, . spotify, bandcamp, soundcloud, reverbnation, and a few others. these are a few of the connection points that can start your viral trip. join together with the bands! cheers!-b

here’s a playlist of all the new releases from ontario based bands with some subtle torontorox self promo clips.

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

encouraging all music genres as well as visual and performance arts with free online promotion. focus on connecting the music scene within ontario via bands, artists, and venues. friends and visitors are all welcome to interact with local culture. and we follow the journeys of many born ontarians. bands performers, clubs, galleries, music shops, and other resources that pros, aspiring musicians, and other artists need to connect and rock our world.

torontorox offers the ability to have a web presence via live feeds updates from facebook and twitter for random connections with locals and visitors.

new video releases, gigs, events and promos get out to a large target audience. fans can find out who’s at their favourite venues or where their favourite artists are gigging.

interviews and write-ups on artists as well as articles inspired by historical events and the state of the arts today in this blog. video interviews at several local establishments are documented in the series ‘Musicians In Bars Getting Beer’.

the collection of local and international stars has grown to epic proportions and it’s a huge honour to speak to so many talented people. share your music and your stories and honour your favourite venue or establishment. this timepiece has episodes from inside some historic venues that no longer exist. unique and nostalgic and really accessible. send me a message!

‘like’ torontorox! tweet @tdotrox.

Artists, including bands, photographers, painters, performers etc., who “like” facebook.com/torontorox page are encouraged to share a weekly promotional posting on torontorox’ wall and to tweet @tdotrox to your heart’s content regardless of the show’s location. Both of these methods of sharing are promoted automatically to torontorox.com. Directory listings for bands and clubs who hire bands are available via email request and are also free for the 416. As torontorox.com is considered a webzine (online magazine), one ticket, media pass or wristband is appreciated in exchange for promotion. To better promote your show, ticket or CD giveaway contests on torontorox are mutually beneficial.

Since August 2013, torontorox founder, Billy Zee has teamed up with a print magazine from Los Angeles via one of Toronto’s most prominent photographers. The assignment is to compliment the photographs with positive written reviews of international artists. To date, this service has been free in exchange for admission and there have been zero reviews of any local talent. Some services have asked for free promotion and volunteering to boost their popularity and profit margin. Cooperation is a must and help can be provided given time and funding. Also, some artists have attempted to use torontorox as a forum to express personal issues regarding their negotiations and relationships. Help is available but public negativity is not tolerable.

The record companies, radio stations and many club owners are primarily concerned with their return on investment (ROI) to maximize shareholder value. These are the potential customers for torontorox and the ones who are best able to help artists in terms of financing projects or hiring you. torontorox cooperates with many perceived competitors as this contributes to informing and entertaining the fans. The growth of the torontorox community will not only benefit you; your friends; your fun; your city; your economy; etc. but it will also increase the overall level of entertainment by educating art enthusiasts and creating a community of cooperation.

All the best to you and yours!
billyzee@torontorox.com
cheers!-b

Unfortunately, many entities have not created a specific position such as “Social Media Director”. Instead the personalities already associated with the company are expected to either have social media savvy or a great sense of humour. The social media should require research relevant to the general CRTC expectation of what is done on air. What that means is that getting a licence to broadcast music in Canada comes with a promise to educate the audience.

There is a challenge to support local talent and to that end there is a CanCon law. However, the industry is fuelled by advertising. So, if the advertisers don’t like your area’s local talent, they won’t fund it. Much discussion about the state of the recording industry makes no mention of how the networks proceed under these conditions. As Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock said, “Seeing a murder on television… can help work off one’s antagonisms. And if you haven’t any antagonisms, the commercials will give you some.” Maximizing shareholder value must be balanced between several levels and there is usually more competition than co-operation when it comes to the almighty dollar.

It’s time for the broadcasters to conduct themselves as they did in the past. Creating personalities and branding people must give way to the broadcast mandate and journalistic integrity. The oldies are true classics! They rock and the fans still pay top dollar to see the stones. However, for every 70+ rich rocker who has lost it, there is a broke kid with tons of talent.

It’s not the fans responsibility to set up pension funds that support rehab centres in southern cal. It’s the network’s responsibility to entice fans to go out and see local kids in local places; create events that build interest in your region’s night-life; make your program director’s ideas come to fruition; and maximize the return on the fans’ entertainment dollar.

Stop posting jokey pictures on your station’s social media and go do the research in the little clubs looking for the unknowns and the hidden gems. The research that torontorox does.

Here’s a couple of terms bands need to learn like a new riff:
“Web presence” – not a downloadable Zeppelin album.
“Digital footprint” – not what happens when you throw a computer out the window.

We now live in the facebook era and like the iron age, a mace could do a lot of damage but a samurai sword was more effective. The analogy here is in terms of how you reach your audience. Everyone wants more friends; more fans; more views; more shares; more plays; more downloads. The bottom line here is sales of tickets and recordings. The ways to do this currently incorporate mass media. Using mass media can affect your bottom line. Every musician knows that when mom is no longer buying your gear and driving you to gigs, it becomes an expensive hobby. It may also cost friendships, relationships, neighbours, jobs and maybe even pets.

If you’re old school, you know that pressing vinyl isn’t cheap. Staples, tape and xerox’ on lampposts was the only way to hype your gig. Now, some are out there offering free downloads; others go out and play free shows. These strategies have been known to help get to the next level, but they aren’t sustainable. The exceptions are in acquiring a sponsor who is okay with low to zero ROI (return on investment) or being discovered/represented.

So let’s talk about your web presence and digital footprint. It’s important to be accessible but not “in your face”. To do this successfully, your band needs a dot com. It doesn’t have to be the best dot com but you have to solidify your band’s name as a domain. If you can’t get “bandname”.com try “bandnamehometown” or “bandnametheband”. This strategy gives your band credibilty, longevity, and a possible end-game. You may be able to sell your dot com when you’re done with it.

Some say that a facebook bandpage is enough. If you have no objection to playing in the same sandbox as kids that play basement parties, then that might work for you. Even the facebook bandpage needs to be done professionally. Administration duties such as updating and editing or restricting comments require diligence. The bandpage is still superior to facebook’s other options. There are bands that exist on facebook as a “person” so fans have to “friend” them. The obvious downside to this is that there is the five thousand and some-odd limit. Some bands exist as a “group” which was intended for book clubs and such, where everyone in the group is considered equal. When your bandpage is up and running there are still pitfalls that cause you to lose your support group. Over-posting, over-inviting, allowing anyone to tag you in any quality photo or video to name a few. Keep your involvement professional and timely. Also, keep in mind your rights and privacy.

Get a twitter account for your band as well. Twitter is becoming the communication standard for mass updating and many sites like torontorox.com have twitter feeds which means your tweets get shared across multiple sites and platforms. Secure your “@bandname” now because they are going faster than the dot coms.

Youtube may be an asset. Psychologically there is motivation to put on a better show when you’re on camera. Once again, discretion and diligence are required to ensure your image is presented favourably. In Zeppelin’s “Celebration Day” many amateur shots were briefly included in the final edit. In some cases poor recordings or unfavourable comments may have a negative impact on your fan base. On the other hand, with superior quality equipment, recordings may replace the need to go see the band. Whatever your choices are, try to keep some control of your stage presence and your bootleggers. If you see torontorox shooting at your gig, remember that we will always ask your permission before making your video public.

Myspace is generally less used as it was prior to the facebook era but based on its functionality, your band can’t afford to ignore it. If you aren’t fond of it, keep it minimalistic but remain diligent. Accept your fans wherever they are.

Reverbnation has functionality that some of its competitors ignore, including a store where you can sample and sell your tunes. There’s a lot of proprietary email offering services and opportunities so if you don’t check it, you may miss a good message.

Now that you have all the tech going for you, what do you say? Some might just keep it simple and post their show details as soon as they confirm. Certain announcements might be warranted regarding sponsors or friends’ bands. Some would treat their fanpage as themselves assuming they are the leader or spokesperson for the band. They might even post pet pix. This is charming…sometimes.
Some might use their bandpage to rant or vent about the competition or the music business. Keep that to a minimum and from your personal page. Too much negative attention hurts small business (ie: bands and bars). There is no real celebrity in the music community – just friends. So lose the ego and stay positive. Take the high road because there’s less traffic.

Professionalism is important in this area. Good graphics and good photos go a long way. Proper English warrants respect. Give credit to your writers and artists. Get their permission if necessary. Get your close friends to help you market your show. You don’t want to look desperate for fans to attend. Consider a media date with lots of notice and a reminder or two a week to a few days prior. Also, of course one on the day of. Post your promo in primetime not Monday at 9am. Post a promo on torontorox and other groups or pages but not all on the same day. A simple online strategy can help.

torontorox can help your band go forward with all of this. If you’re interested in a free consultation, send a message including whatever links you currently employ. Thanks for your attention!
billyzee@torontorox.com

Although 33, 45, 78, EP, LP , wax, vinyl, gramophone records, long-playing records,
and platters are no longer under the auspices of the bright lights and the big city,
they’ve skipped and skated to the annexes. Used record stores and vintage vinyl
vendors are the museums of pop culture. Recent history includes imports, rarities
and picture discs.

Everyone’s favourite Soundscapes on College is Little Italy’s haven for audiophiles.
Featured in many a rag tag article, the collectible music mart is the place where
every efficianado wants to work and that guy is the guy that every hippie chick wants
to be with.

This summer of 2012 brings the news: There’s a new kid in town: June! At first
glance June could be considered the kid brother or the wannabe and the boss
takes it as a compliment. Upon further investigation there is a uniqueness to June
that jumps up and kicks ass.

June has rarities and collectibles and when I walked in, good ol’ Neil Young was
spinning on one of the dual techniques 1200s. A few more steps and the Sex
Pistols Brit import stands out and screams to be raped.

This video introduces Dennis, one of the co-owners of June Records. Hey! Have a
boo…

[bd_youtube id=0EFHlYOPrII width=288 height=162 float=left]