Michael Tomko
Prolifically personable people person.
Perpetually pursuing professional partnerships.
Proudly promoting precision.
My Twitter Stream- My Facebook
- An Under Cover Weekend
- My LinkedIn
- My Tumblr Blog
- My Tumblr Blog
- My Netflix
- GitHub
- Instagram
- Last.fm
- Foursquare
- YouTube
- Let's talk...
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Tweets
- @swartsr Sounds good. This should be fun.
- @swartsr Don't have a link handy. My lady is on the STL Alumni Board. I went to Webster.
- @twileyx @gbussmann Oh shit, no. Sounds good.
- @swartsr Are you going to be at the Mizzou Soirée thing tonight?
- @twileyx @gbussmann Abita may be my favorite brand of beer.
- @gbussmann Try a Purple Haze. It's my favorite.
- @gbussmann Amber? Turbodog? Purple Haze?
- @gbussmann Did you drink any Abita?
- @gbussmann Haha, nice!!
- @anniezaleski Possibly parts and/or delay in getting schematic(s).
- @Patricialicious @nlc_stlouis Enjoyed the talk. Thanks so much for participating.
- @gbussmann I had all the drinks.
- @sjfults @nlc_stlouis Thanks man. Much appreciated!
- @csswizardry And an MP3, at any bitrate, is a further compromise of the previously compromised compromises.
- @csswizardry One thing to keep in mind is that the "quality" of any recording, let alone a digital one, is already compromised.
- @kara_schmee I read that as "busiest" at first. Totally changes the meaning.
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Status
- Busy day today. First, speaking about New Media to the New Leaders Council St. Louis fellows. Second, Tabitha and I are getting our engagement photos done in Lafayette Square. And third, the Soiree in Stripes at Lumen for the Gateway Tigers Chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association. Phew.
- I think that Tabitha K Meyer deserves a hearty congratulations for turning in her Master's Thesis last night. She's more awesome than I can even begin to describe.
- I SUFFER FROM VOICE IMMODULATION SYNDROME. I CANNOT CONTROL THE PITCH OR VOLUME OF MY VOICE. IMAGINE ROCKING YOUR NEWBORN BABY TO SLEEP. HUSH LITTLE BABY. HUSH, HUSH LITTLE BABY.
- Taking Tabitha for her first visit to Iron Barley tonight for Date Night!!
- You gotta love when an early Sunday breakfast is accompanied by Faith No More blasting from the jukebox.
- Nice! My "I'm Just Sayin'" segment for KSDK NewsChannel 5 about SOPA & PIPA airs tomorrow on Today In Saint Louis at 6:28am. Be sure to set your DVR's because apparently at one point I use air quotes for dramatic effect. Hoping I'll live that down eventually. Ha.
- I'm considering getting new glasses. What do you think? These? (Jehona) http://fab.com/sale/2654/product/53285/7xmnn3/?fref=product-invite-tw or These? (Flamur) http://fab.com/sale/2654/product/53289/7xmnn3/?fref=product-invite-tw
- A year ago today, Tabitha K Meyer and I each separately made pacts with our respective friends that 2011 was going to be a different year. That we were going to strive for better things and to seek out and let good, new people into our lives. And on January 3rd, 2011, in a glorious act of fate, we met each other for the first time and began the very swift and amazing process of falling in love. I can't even begin to say how fantastic this last year has been — quite possibly the best of my entire life — and I am so very looking forward to what the future has in store for us. I am by far the luckiest man on this planet and I am reminded of that every single day. This time of year will forever represent a season of happy and positive change for me and a stark reminder of just how fortunate I am. And with that said... Happy new year everyone! May 2012 bring you nothing but happiness and good fortune.
- Someone please bring me a cold Dr. Pepper.
- I don't think I've ever even seen a Diner's Club card in real life.
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Wall
- We are deeply saddened about the passing of Adam Yauch. The Beastie Boys are collectively one of our most favorite groups of all time and Robb Steele's tribute to them for the opening set of AUCW1 will forever be one of our fondest AUCW memories. RIP MCA
- OMG, and if today couldn't get any better, we are proud to announce that An Under Cover Weekend 6 will take place on September 7th and 8th at The Firebird. Bands can submit to be a part of this momentous occasion starting today. Let's do this St. Louis!!
- Holy shit it's year six already!
- Wow. The only artist to ever personally endorse themselves being covered at An Under Cover Weekend. This is a must see! cc: Theodore / The Rats & People Motion Picture Orchestra
- Whoa, we are so honored to be a finalist in the 2012 Riverfront Times Web Awards for best Club/Event Website. Thank you so much St. Louis!
- So many of our AUCW alumns have taken home RFT Best of Awards this year! Our home, The Firebird, for Best Rock Club. The Breaks for Best New Band. The Blind Eyes for Best Pop Band. Sleepy Kitty Music for Best Poster Artists and Best Rock Band. Justin Johnson of Jump Starts/Pretty Little Empire for Best Songwriter. And, Jenn Malzone of Paper Dolls for Best Vocalist (Female). Congrats guys! We love you.
- We can't thank Jump Starts, The Orbz, False Moves, The Breaks and Troubadour Dali enough for being a part of An Under Cover Weekend 5, Night 2. What an amazing night and an amazing event overall. Join us again for The Reprise on New Year's Eve at The Firebird and we'll see y'all again next year for AUCW6!
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Info
- Production Director at The Able FewInformation Technology and Services | Greater St. Louis Area, USSummarySitting at the intersection of creative, technical, and social, Michael is in the unique position of being able to serve as a leader, a strategist, and a driving force for a diverse array of projects. In the past decade alone, he has found himself programming and promoting a college radio station, managing recording studios in both St. Louis and New Orleans, writing for national publications and blogs, negotiating recording contracts and touring the country as a musician, managing channel-partner programs for some of the world's largest software companies, teaching audio engineering courses at Webster University, executing several of the area's large scale music festivals and events, and serving as a technical architect and facilitator for countless projects, to name a few.
Often described as a "connector", Michael has a penchant for curating one-of-a-kind experiences both on and off-line. His role as Production Director for The Able Few is to manage the overall agency workload, to create creative technical strategies for our clients, and to advocate for our projects every step of the way — from concept to deployment.
Also serving as the agency's resident "hipster," Mike is tasked with ensuring a strong aspect of relevance for what is played on the office stereo as well as leading by example for a company-wide movement toward plaid. Answering equally to "Mike", "Michael", "Tomko", "Skinny Mike", and — having once finished his taxes from the office — "Turbotax", he can also be found around the agency as the butt of his coworkers' jokes.
Outside of work, Michael maintains an [almost] daily blog about his cat, produces the annual St. Louis concert series, An Under Cover Weekend, and is excitedly planning his wedding.Specialties: Wordpress Design & Development, Web Development (PHP, Javascript, HTML5, CSS3), Audio Engineering, Social Media, Marketing, DIY Marketing, Concert and Event Planning, Marketing & Execution, Purchasing, Software Licensing, etc. etc. etc.Experience- Feb 2012 - PresentProduction Director / The Able Few
- Jan 2009 - Feb 2012Digital Producer / Developer / Consultant / Tomko Tek, LLC
- Oct 2009 - Jan 2011CTO / VP of Business Development / Scorch Agency
- Aug 2009 - Jan 2011Adjunct Faculty / Webster University
- Jan 2009 - Dec 2010LOT Chair / Metropolis St. LouisVolunteer position with Metropolis St. Louis. The LOT is a music festival held annually at the Schlafly Tap Room. The purpose of The LOT is to feature St. Louis music, food, businesses (both for and non-profits), artists and to remind St. Louisans how awesome the city is! Cost is FREE to the public. Save the date: August 29, 2009! www.mstl.org/lot Specific Duties: -Negotiating vendor contracts. -Soliciting sponsorships. -Managing social media presence. -Stage managing. -Redesign of overall event concepts.
- Jan 2009 - Dec 2009Director of Marketing & Special Events / The FirebirdFormerly known as The Bluebird, The Firebird is a 400 cap concert venue started by a group of like-minded veterans of the St. Louis, MO music scene. The impetus behind The Firebird is to provide a large, yet intimate, environment that fosters the local music scene by bringing in today's best touring acts and providing St. Louis based bands an opportunity to support them. Specific Duties: -Curate Annual and One-Off Special Events (ex. The Indie Rock Ice Cream Social, An Under Cover Weekend, SnoCones & Lasers Mega Monday Dance Party, etc.) -Continuously market 25-30 shows per month via Street Teams, Traditional Flyering, Social Media (Twitter, Myspace, Tumblr, Facebook, Email, SMS) and "organized" Word-of-Mouth. -Organize and negotiate event sponsorships. -Work with National Press and Radio Agents. -Brand development and general PR. -Organize Street Teams.
- Jul 2007 - Jan 2009Talent Buyer / The Bluebird(See The Firebird description.) Specific Duties: -Negotiate the buying of talent from national booking agents. (280 shows) -Curate Annual and One-Off Special Events -Continuously market 25-30 shows per month via Street Teams, Traditional Flyering, Social Media (Twitter, Myspace, Tumblr, Facebook, Email, SMS) and "organized" Word-of-Mouth. -Organize and negotiate event sponsorships. -Work with National Press and Radio Agents.
- Jun 2005 - Jan 2009Manager / Member / Co-Founder / Gentleman Auction HouseGentleman Auction House is an Indie Rock band from St. Louis, MO which I co-founded in 2005 with 6 friends from College. What originally began as a fun and creative group activity quickly became the bulk of our everyday lives. Specific Duties: -Booking regional and national tours. -Creating regional and national marketing campaigns on shoe-string budgets. -Working with radio stations and press agents. -Overseeing recording, post-production, manufacturing, distribution and promotion of 4 commercially available albums. -Negotiating worldwide recording/distribution contracts for physical and digital album sales. -Day-to-day management of business affairs. -Tour managing. -Last but not least, playing guitar, bell kit and percussion.
- Feb 2007 - Dec 2007National Sales Manager / Weirdware.netWeirdware.net, founded by Larry Malashock, was designed to function as an all encompassing distributor for non-channel products (termed "Weirdware") that were sold exclusively to Software Plus' customer base. Weirdware.net took the idea that customers making purchases on credit terms should never be told "no" and that idea ultimately ended up securing large deals for SWP, who primarily sold Software, for items like industrial velcro, earthquake survival gear, heart defibrillators, etc. My work in the product brokerage space as an Inside Sales Team Lead at Software Plus, was what Weirdware.net was built on. Specific Duties: -Source products that fall outside of standard distribution. -Negotiate purchasing contracts, and manage relationships, with new vendors. -Analyze trends in sales and capitalize on opportunities to develop new business. -Provide price quotes and product recommendations. -Complete vendor purchase orders. -Create monthly and quarterly sales reports and establish goals. -Report directly to Owner.
- Nov 2005 - Feb 2007Inside Sales Team Lead / Software PlusSupervision of Inside Sales Team for Software and Hardware sales handling 27 Tier 1 accounts. Specific Duties: -Supervise Inside Sales Team. -Manage multiple team email boxes. -Responsible for Team SLA to customers. -Provide price quotes and product recommendations. -Consult on purchasing programs for Adobe, Microsoft, Citrix, Oracle, IBM, HP, etc. -Enter purchase orders. -Source products that fall outside of standard distribution. -Negotiate purchasing contracts with new vendors.
Education-
2001 - 2005Webster UniversityBachelor of Arts in Audio Production
Activities: Production, Promotion and Music Director and DJ at KGLX The Galaxy Radio; Head Audio Engineer; Audio Department Tutor; Speaker Committee Chairman for The Audio Engineering
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Honors:Nominated for Best Use of Twitter for Personal Brand, Best Startup [Winner - Saint Louis Coworking], Best Restaurant Website (2010) and Best Club/Event Website (2011) by The Riverfront Times Multiple Media Excellence Awards from Webster University, 2001-2005
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Posts
Bacon & Cheddar Soufflé and Mango Apricot Smoothie. #breakfast (Taken with Instagram at Blondie’s Coffee & Wine Bar)
Roasting Farmer’s Market tomatoes & bell peppers for #bacon chili. (Taken with instagram)
I may or may not have read a fake reality show script on stage with John Roderick (The Long Winters) & John Hodgman (“PC” from the Mac commercials) tonight.
This is so inspiring. St. Louis Cardinals World Championship Parade! #stl #stlcards (Taken with instagram)
Go Cards! #11in11 #worldseries #stl #stlcards (Taken with Instagram at Citygarden (Gateway Mall))
Woot! Limited Edition JC Brooks & @TheUptownSound 7” recorded at @EuclidRecords! (Taken with Instagram at Euclid Records)
The Happy Couple, Reid & Carrie Burnett! (Taken with Instagram at Memorial Presbyterian Church)
Best part of working from home today? Grilling lunch outside with my favorite puppy! #stl (Taken with Instagram at Downtown STL)
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Posts
This photo sums up IRICS 5, in my opinion. The playfully taped “OO” over the drum head to make “Breaks” become “Brooks”. The soulful wail emanating from JC Brooks’ mouth. And his hand up in the air as if to say, “Babies, babies, please at least let me finish this 3rd encore before you maul me for photographs.” What a perfect night!
-Photo by Nate Burrell for KDHX
It’s packed at The Indie Rock Ice Cream Social. The Breaks (@therealbreaks) are tearing it up!
- Rock and Roll and Ice Cream – What else do you need for a great time?
Nothing, is the answer.
Most of the social media types I know are also huge music fans, so I did not want this event to pass by you without at least being able to say that we warned you about it.
This Saturday night, friend of the Report (and founder of another cool local music event that we are going to tell you more about soon: An Under Cover Weekend) Michael Tomko is bringing us the Indie Rock Ice Cream Social at the Firebird.
Read the rest over at the St. Louis Social Media Report—>
-written by Greb Bussmann on July 7th, 2011
- Indie Rock Ice Cream Social turns five at The Firebird
By Jason Gonulsen - Special to Metromix
The 5th annual Indie Rock Ice Cream Social is happening at The Firebird on Saturday, and if you’re not familiar with the event, it’s as simple (and awesome) as its name suggests: you eat ice cream and listen to some rock ‘n’ roll. Sounds like summer, right?
Well, for starters, the ice cream is free, provided by the good people at Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream. You buy a ticket, you’re gonna get your sweets. I’m not sure I remember the last time I ate ice cream and listened to live music, but the idea sounds grand, especially with the temperatures on the rise. (Oh, and The Firebird has a new air conditioning system, so you won’t be racing to finish your treat while it melts.)
- Indie Rock Ice Cream Social satisfies a sweet tooth
Posted on July 7, 2011 - Written by Scott Allen
Seriously, who doesn’t like ice cream? You’d be a supreme curmudgeon not to enjoy this summer time favorite. Plus, St. Louis has a plethora of independent ice cream establishments making yummy concoctions to beat the heat. So, when organizer Michael Tomko decided to combine ice cream with rock ‘n roll, an event was born.
Presented by Tomko Bomb Co. and 88.1 KDHX and now in its fifth annual year (with one year off for reflection), the Indie Rock Ice Cream Social will sweeten up the space at The Firebird this Saturday, July 9.
Originally organized in 2006 as a promotional vehicle for his former band, Gentleman Auction House, the event took on a life of its own, so much so that Tomko won’t let it die. He says,
“There is nothing like hundreds of St. Louis music fans slammed up against the stage with a beer in one hand and a sundae in the other.”
Over the years the event has featured local bands and up and coming bands from around the country. In 2007, the band Canada (actually from Ann Arbor, MI) officially released their live performance from the Indie Rock Ice Cream Social. Further, two years ago Chapel Hill, NC based Lost In The Trees, scheduled to play LouFest next month, had their first performance in St. Louis at the event.
On Saturday, doors open at 7:30 p.m. while admission is $10 for those 18 and up allows you in to see live music from JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound, The Breaks and Bear Hive while DJ Chris Bay provides the remainder of the evening’s soundtrack.
- Indie Rock Ice Cream Social
By Christian Schaeffer Thursday, Jul 7 2011
You have to hand it to local impresario Mike Tomko — when he creates an event, he makes it memorable, whimsical and annual. He’s getting ready to announce the lineup for this fall’s An Under Cover Weekend, but in the meantime Tomko will host the fifth annual Indie Rock Ice Cream Social. The event is as simple and delicious as it sounds: Three bands play loud, live music while showgoers gorge on free ice cream from those rock salt rock stars at Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream. This year, Chicago’s ever-rising JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound will perform rhythm-and-soul tunes alongside locals the Breaks and Bear Hive (in its debut show). KDHX DJ Chris Bay (who rocks the mic on Gold Soundz every Friday night) will distract you from your ice-cream headaches in between sets.
-via The Riverfront Times
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco joining JC Brooks and @theuptownsound on stage at the Solid Sound Festival for “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”.
Man, I just can’t wait to see JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound at the Indie Rock Ice Cream Social…
Great review of JC Brooks’ set from Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival.
By Kiernan Maletsky Tue., Apr. 26 2011 at 8:52 AM
We have just received the details on this year’s Indie Rock Ice Cream Social, a yearly summertime party fueled by sugar and music. Chicago’s JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, which played a well-received set at last year’s Twangfest, leads a bill rounded out by a trio of locals: The Breaks, Bear Hive (former members of the Sham) and DJ Chris Bay. Ice cream will be provided by (who else?) Serendipity Handmade Ice Cream. This year’s Social will be Saturday, July 9th at the Firebird. Tickets are $10 ($3 minor surcharge) and are available now. Ice cream is free with admission.
“We go all out with the ice cream,” says promoter Mike Tomko. “There are usually 3-4 flavors and a plethora of toppings and last year we had Vanilla, Chocolate and Black Cherry along with sprinkles, whipped cream, fudge, carmel sauce, strawberry sauce, marshmallow fluff, etc. etc. etc. This is the real deal.
“There is nothing like hundreds of St. Louis music fans slammed up against the stage with a beer in one hand and a sundae in the other.”
-via The Riverfront Times
One of the most energetic, joyful live bands going on today… like if Otis Redding individually whipped each member of the Velvet Underground off of heroin, and transformed them into a disciplined, show-stopping Stax soul band.
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