---

WHAT ARE THE TIMAs?

The Toronto Independent Music Awards are an indie awards ceremony, showcase series and seminar founded in 2004. The concept evolved out of a desire to truly support independent musicians and to provide songwriting and music exposure to individuals in the community. The TIMAs serve as a platform to award up-and-coming independent artists from the province of Ontario and to expose them to international opportunities. We also accept entries nationally and internationally via our “Best Out-of-Province”, “Best USA” and “Best International” categories. Our ultimate aim is to create an infrastructure to give independent artists a hand in ways that are actually useful by providing industry connected prizes and community support! We believe that the TIMAs are unique in the purpose of awarding 100% Canadian owned and operated music with no affiliation to a multinational label with the exception of a distribution deal, and are one of the first of its kind in Toronto to help support and promote independent musicians in this way. All of the organizers of the TIMAs volunteer their time and efforts for this cause.

---

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY TO THE TIMAs?

- In 2008, we gave away over $60,000 in INDUSTRY CONNECTED prizes to over 20 recorded material categories, $20,000 more then 2007. In addition, this year, we will be providing $5,000 in exposure to nominees.We have SEVERAL MAIN PRIZES, and UNIQUE PRIZES that are geared towards genre categories. Stuff you can actually use!!!

- We have an all new “Best Live” showcase series presented by Hydrogen Jukebox, where we will showcase approximately 140 acts over a 10 month period starting in May. We have organized three $15,000 prize packages for the winners of our three “Best Live” categories.

- We had over 70 different MAJOR and INDEPENDENT MEDIA at our showcases and at our awards date, 20 more then 2007. In addition, we broke into main stream media with coverage from: Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, CityTV and mucn more!

-If you are a selected winner, you not only receive a MAIN PRIZE and UNIQUE PRIZE, but you get to showcase your music in front of a SOLD OUT CROWD at the following award show to take place at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto.

- We have a team of INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL JUDGES that are trained in each genre category, judging is completely blind.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE FROM TORONTO TO APPLY! We have “Best International” and “Best USA” categories, all other categories are ONTARIO-WIDE. READ ON HOW TO APPLY NOW through our online form for 2009!

---

TIMA 2009-2010 Judges

Alan Heffernan - C.E.O., LoCityEntertainment ™

Josh Dufresne “JL Prophet” - Owner and President, Foreseen Future Productions, The Music Industry Coalition of Students.

Mark Gross – Co-owner, producer , engineer and mixer at Vincent City Studios, formed in Summer 2008. Drummer of metal band What Monsters!

Derek Atherton – Owner, Studio 22 Digital Music Production

Jeff Burling – VP Entertainment – Music Industry Arts Rep, Fanshawe College Student Union

Peter Linseman Owner – Music Mentor Productions

Matt Gayed - Music Industry Arts Graduate. Co-Owner and Producer at Vincent City Studios in London.

Melissa Grosser – Public Relations and Communications

Mitch Masters – A&R Rep for North American Label. Owner of Mastermind Productions (Booking & Promotions).

LOTS MORE TBA with BIOs coming soon

---

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

So you ask yourself, “Why have I never heard of any of these bands???”

Founder and producer of the TIMAs, Daniela Oliva, noticed that there are several outstanding bands in Ontario, but many do not have the means or knowledge to propel themselves to success. The TIMAs were created as a platform to award and acknowledge “up-and-coming” independent artists ONTARIO-WIDE (You DO NOT have to be from TORONTO to win a TIMA!!!!). Our ultimate aim is to give independent artists a hand and to put the music industry within their reach. Through the TIMA awards platform, we do our best to help independent artists to achieve their personal level of success.

Then you may ask , “OK… but why aren’t bands like Malajube, Final Fantasy, Shout Out Out Out etc. acknowledged!?!”

After our first year, we realized that eligibility criteria is an essential part of establishing the function of the TIMAs. In order to apply for the TIMAs you/your band must be 100% Canadian owned and operated (with the exception of the USA/International categories) with no affiliation to a multinational with the exception of a distribution deal. We also award budding young songwriters.

There are many other platforms already in place to acknowledge bands who do not meet these eligibility stipulations and it is likely that these bands already have some form of success.

As for the other bands who do meet these eligibility requirements and are not acknowledge, it is likely that they have not applied.

“Why is it necessary that bands apply and pay a fee to enter?”

Ideally, it would be great if we did not have to charge an application fee. However, it costs a lot of time and money to put this show together. It is a year-long process and we have many, many individuals who volunteer their services. The majority of show expenses has been funded out-of-pocket and we are very grateful to the judges, companies, friends and bands who believe in the potential and progress of the TIMAs.

“OK, so what do I get if I win or I’m nominated?”

For the 5th TIMAs award ceremony we aim to have $60,000 in USEFUL music industry connected prizes (Check out the “Prize” section for a detailed list). This consisted of MAIN PRIZES and UNIQUE PRIZES that were geared toward each category. Furthermore, all previous years winners get a chance to perform and showcase at the next SOLD OUT award ceremony. The audience consists of general admission attendees, major and independent media, music industry professionals, VIPs, special guests and A&R for various labels….

annnd of course, you win a gorgeous custom TIMA courtesy of PAISTE cymbals.

“Why does your TIMA music blog include major label content and non-Canadian content? I thought this was a Canadian INDIE Award show! How does this content fit with your mandate?”

As you can see, we try to maintain variety within the content of the blog. We mix up the indie music content with cool things we find on the internet, major label news, non-Canadian content, stuff that our staff likes to write about and content that we think you will enjoy reading. We do this in hopes to attract new people to our website and also because we get a ton of cool news in our inbox and we want to write about it! Our mandate via the awards platform is to promote independent music. However, our mandate is also to help independent artists stay in touch with the music industry and to attain whatever level of success that they feel they want to achieve, not limited to but including: major label success, personal growth, DIY ethos or otherwise! Remember that coin phrase “What is indie?” Well? What is indie? The line between what is considered mainstream and indie can truly become blurred. Although we have very clear eligibility requirements for what we think is indie as it pertains to our award ceremony, we are going to let you define it yourself with our blog. So enjoy the content you like and comment on the stuff you don’t! We want to hear you! That’s what the “comment” button is for! Stir up a discussion and lets talk about it! Be Bold Canada!

Why are the 5th TIMAs in 2010 this year?

With the most media exposure ever, the best attendance and highest application numbers recorded for our 4th award ceremony, we are getting approached by several organizations that would like to aid us with our ceremony platform and showcases. We want to work with these organizations and sponsors to change several vital facets of the show in a positive way, which will provide us with the boost we need to continue for another 5+ years.

We have an obligation to our applicants to provide them with the most opportunities possible. We decided that we can’t compromise the integrity of our mission to aid independent music by putting a show together when we know we can make it bigger and better if we have extra time to work with sponsors. To us, the TIMAs are more then an award show and we strive to make it continuously better. We rather not present you with the mediocre.. In addition, we have big bold new plans to help give back  even more to the community.

Here are the immediate changes that will take into effect:

* The TIMAs will continue to accept applications throughout 2009 and 2010 on a rolling basis.

* To compensate for the increase in submissions, we have signed on double the judges who will also be reviewing applications on a rolling basis via a two-panel system and TIMAs criteria.

* The “Best Live” showcases will take place throughout 2009 and 2010 twice a month leading up to the award ceremony, we will be showcasing approximately 170 artists (double last year). Our earliest dates are in May and we will start booking shortly.

* If you have applied already in 2009, you do not need to apply again. It is likely that your application is being processed already. We will notify you if you become eligible for any additional categories or opportunities that we add.

Have even more questions? Email: daniela@torontoima.com