Music Biz Headlines: Allison Russell Hits Broadway, Beatles Gold Discovered
Our weekly roundup also features Beverly Glenn-Copeland's diagnosis, Drake's triumph at the SOCAN Awards, political campaign songs, Hamilton's new arena and more.
Allison Russell to Make Broadway Debut as She Joins Cast of ‘Hadestown’
Grammy-winning Canadian songstress Allison Russell is getting pulled into the underworld – on Broadway. – Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
He Unearthed a Recording of a Legendary 1965 Beatles Concert from Maple Leaf Gardens
Here’s why the find by Toronto Beatles expert and author Piers Hemmingsen might be worth a fortune. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Drake Sweeps Rap Categories at SOCAN Awards; Arkells Celebrate Impact of Songwriting
Drake wasn’t around to accept a handful of trophies at the SOCAN Awards on Tuesday, but the rapper’s presence was still looming large at the celebration of Canadian songwriters. – David Friend, Canadian Press
This is So Punk: Anti-capitalist Venue Selling Bonds to Buy Its Building
RadStorm’s RadBond program has already raised $100,000 towards the Gottingen Street property. – Brendyn Creamer, The Coast
Beverly Glenn-Copeland Reveals He is Living with Dementia
The beloved Canadian singer-songwriter begins his final North American tour on Sept. 26 at POP Montreal festival. In a new video with his wife and creative collaborator Elizabeth, he asks for support from community in the times ahead. – Richard Trapunski, Billboard Canada
Nelly Furtado: ‘Flames Shot Out of the Speaker When I Started Making Maneater’
As she releases new album 7, the Canadian pop star answers your questions on going in the studio with Timbaland, songwriting with Chris Martin, and the melancholy magic of fado. – Dave Simpson, The Guardian
How to Recoup Costs When You Travel to an Event That Gets Cancelled
Between airfares, hotels, travel expenses and tickets, last-minute cancellations can leave eventgoers out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. – Tara Deschamps, Canadian Press
‘Last Hurrah’: Memorial Service for Calgary Children’s Entertainer Buck Shot
It was the last show for longtime children’s TV star Ron (Buck Shot) Barge Friday as hundreds of family, friends and fans attended a public memorial in Calgary. – Tara Deschamps, Canadian Press
Behind the Camera With Bev Davies, Vancouver’s Original Punk Photographer
While she has photographed everyone from Madonna to Pope John Paul II, the core of her work is local: she’s one of the key documenters of the original Vancouver punk scene, from 1979 to 1984. – Allan MacInnis, Montecristo
What’s Happening at Hamilton’s Downtown Arena?
Oak View Group offers look at construction well underway at the Bay and York venue. They say the $280-million project is on time and on budget. Work is well underway on the transformation of Hamilton’s downtown arena. – Meredith MacLeod, Hamilton City Magazine
Can Hamilton Compete with Toronto After $280-Million Arena Revamp?
Operator pitches Toronto business leaders on renovation — and potential for Hamilton to be concert leader. – Scott Radley, Hamilton Spectator
In New Book, Author and Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin Makes the Case for the Healing Power of Music
In his vital new book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine, Levitin shows how the connections between music and the brain can be harnessed for treating a host of ailments, from PTSD to pain, Parkinson’s disease, depression and cognitive injury.– Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Toronto's Dream Serenade Benefit to Celebrate 10th Anniversary with TALK, Sam Roberts, Sarah Harmer
Created by Hayden Desser and Christie Greyerbiehl, the always popular benefit show supports the Dream Serenade Summer Bursary for students with exceptionalities and their families. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
International
Spotify Expands AI Playlist Feature to Four New Markets, Including U.S. and Canada
Spotify is expanding its tool that helps create playlists using generative artificial intelligence for premium users to four new markets, including the United States and Canada, the Swedish streaming giant said on Tuesday. – Reuters
How Campaigns Use (and Misuse) Music
Kamala Harris has “Freedom.” Donald Trump has “God Bless the USA” (and a lot of cease-and-desist letters). What makes for a good campaign song? And why do we respond so viscerally to the ones that work? Audie talks with DJ Cassidy, who DJ'd the DNC Roll Call. And Dana Gorzelany-Mostak, who studies the use of music in political campaigns. – Audie Cornish, The Assignment
At Rock in Rio, Sign Language Interpreters Champion Accessibility for Deaf Audience Members
Katy Perry's music keyed up, the enormous screens around the stage showed someone else in their bottom corners – a sign language interpreter. – David Biller & Bruna Prado, Associated Press
TikTok to Shutter Music Subscription Service TikTok Music in November
It was widely seen as a potential ‘Spotify killer’ – a subscription streaming music platform from TikTok, the world’s largest short-form video service. But today (September 24), TikTok has confirmed it will be closing down TikTok Music worldwide on Nov. 28. – Music Business Worldwide
Nile Rodgers, Ice T and Trevor Nelson join music historians to lay bare the horrific industry practices that have denied Black musicians millions. It’s just a shame it doesn’t offer more anti-capitalist analysis. – Ellen Jones, The Guardian
Iran Pardons Grammy Winner Whose Song Became an Anthem to the 2022 Protests
Shervin Hajipour, an Iranian Grammy Award winner, said on Monday he was pardoned from serving a three-year sentence over his song that became an anthem to the 2022 protests that rocked the country following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. – AP