Saturday, May 23, 2009

Pegasus News content partner interview: My Denton Music

By Alex Bentley

My Denton Music is one of our newest content partners, coming on board at the beginning of April. Starting with their review of an oso closo concert, they have been an invaluable addition to our lineup, providing insight into the massive goings-on happening on the Denton music scene. Tony Spiro, creator of the site, was kind enough to answer our questions.

Pegasus News: When did you start My Denton Music and what were your reasons for starting it?

Spiro: I first started My Denton Music in January of 2008. It was originally just a list of weekly events at different venues around town, and not the content-centered, user-engaging site it is now. When I first came up with the idea for a website dedicated to the local music scene in Denton, I was playing in a lot of different groups, and I wanted a way to promote my bands and my friend's bands that didn't involve MySpace. I felt and still feel that MySpace is great for what it does (making it easy for bands to have a webpage to post their music) but it doesn't do anything to support a local community. Getting people out to your show is a local process, sending out a bulletin to your global MySpace friends is pretty ineffective. So My Denton Music was born out of the need for a social networking site that promotes locally, Denton artists and Denton venues.

Pegasus News: Josh Hogan writes the majority of the material on your site, but you also have contributions from guest writers – do you envision your site as one that involves the community at large?

Spiro: Yes. I see the nature of media right now as becoming more of an engaging environment. I think a big reason why print is becoming less viable is because the trend in media now is user/reader interaction. We have a lot of readers wanting to write for us because they want to help their friends and artists get exposure.

Pegasus News: The first ever NX35 was held in Denton earlier this year – how do you think it went and what were the highlights?

Spiro: I think it was a huge success. I went out to as many shows as I could, and I actually spoke with Chad Nichols, the business director of NX35, before the event. I think we both have the same zeal for the Denton music scene. One of the highlights I have to say was the Monotonix show at Hailey's...absolute insanity! I wasn't at this show, but Josh was there. He lived to tell about it and got some amazing pictures also.

Pegasus News: Your site has introduced several new bands to Pegasus News – how do you decide which bands to cover? Have any bands started seeking you out as you've grown?

Spiro: I've been involved in the music scene in Denton for about 8 years now. I received my music degree from the highly-acclaimed UNT College of Music and in the process met some of the most awesome musicians who have also become my best friends. Denton is such a connected music community that the degree of separation between bands is like 1-2. We cover a lot of different groups who seek us out to help promote their show.

Pegasus News: What bands/shows have you most enjoyed so far this year, and what ones are you looking forward to the most?

Spiro: There's been a lot of great shows in the last couple months. I'd have to say Snarky Puppy at The Boiler Room, the Backside Pick CD release show at Hailey's and the New Vintage EP release were all incredible.

My Denton Music is hosting a concert series this summer which is something to mark your calendars for. July 18th at Hailey's the Denton rock super-group Oso Closo will be headlining the first of our MDM Summer Series, then August 28th the hard-rockin Denton group Trebuchet will headline the second show of the MDM Summer Series. These shows are guaranteed to be awesome.

Pegasus News: How do you view the state of music in Denton and North Texas in general?

Spiro: There are shows constantly going on here. Denton is an arts-centered community I think people that live here or come here for shows, know that or they figure that out really quickly. I think it's got a lot of potential and MDM is on the right track in bringing about wider exposure for more local artists.

Pegasus News: How much of a role, if any, do readers of your site play in the bands/shows you choose to cover?

Spiro: A huge role. We are very receptive to suggestions and requests for stories.

Pegasus News: What do you see as the future of My Denton Music?

Spiro: MDM is growing very quickly, and we will continue to do so as we add more content. We have big plans in the works including expanding our media to include more music and videos. We are a community on the move, sign up with MDM, and watch us grow.

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