Music Biz Headlines, April 18, 2018
Sloan gives up the secrets to longevity, Beyonce rewards black students, and Kardinal Offishall salutes the Raptors with Northern Touch remix. Others in the headlines include Janelle Monáe, Record Store Day, #MeToo, Kanye West, Prince, Johnny Reid, Lo Moon, and London Music Awards.
By Kerry Doole
The 11 Keys to keeping the band together
On the occasion of their 12th album and 27th year together, Sloan shares their wisdom on how to make musical matrimony last – Ben Lindbergh, theringer.com
Braun: For the love of vinyl
Music, vinyl, nostalgia — Record Store Day has everything. April 21 will mark the 11th-anniversary edition of every LP fan’s fave retail experience, the one day of the year that celebrates the ever-growing pack of indie record stores all over Canada and the world – Liz Braun, Toronto Sun
Beyonce follows Coachella triumph by announcing $100,000 in scholarships for historically black colleges
Through her BeyGOOD initiative, the singer announced the four schools to receive the newly established Homecoming Scholars Award Program for the 2018-2019 academic year –Jem Aswad, Variety
From Madonna to Janelle Monáe: how female sexuality progressed in pop
In her new song "Pynk," Janelle Monáe crafts a milestone for how women’s bodies are referenced within music after years of sexualization aimed at a male audience – Rachel Brodsky The Guardian
Rethinking my rock fandom in the age of #MeToo
As the movement shines a spotlight on the systemic misogyny of rock 'n' roll culture, I can't help but ask myself: do I have to throw out my record collection? – Carla Gillis, NOW
Canadian musicians discuss the most treasured records in their collections
Cadence Weapon, Brendan Canning and Barbara Hannigan share their gems – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Arts industry report asks: where are all the working-class people?
The film, broadcasting, publishing and performing sectors are nowhere near representative of UK – Mark Brown, The Guardian
Kanye West, the would-be philosopher, wants to go deep — where Kim can’t follow
The rap superstar’s working on a book questioning and looking past the superficial reality — but that’s where his wife Kim Kardashian West lives and thrives – Vinay Menon, Toronto Star
As Prince heirs stew, bankers and lawyers cash in on estate
As the second anniversary of Prince's death approaches, his heirs have yet to collect a dollar of an estimated $200 million held in trust. But bankers, lawyers and consultants have earned millions from it – Yahoo.com
Johnny Reid enters home stretch of lengthy Canadian tour
By the time the Canadian superstar wraps up his national tour in St. John’s on April 24, he estimates he will have played before upwards of 75,000 fans all across Canada – Ken Kelley, nor'easteronline
Lo Moon’s Lowell channelled love’s dark side into the band’s music
Nothing builds character like a little adversity, which explains why Lo Moon’s Matt Lowell learned far more about life while struggling in Los Angeles than he did studying at Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
London Music Awards go on despite ice storm's blast
Rain, sleet and even the occasional snowflake couldn't keep Londoners away from the music – Joe Belanger, London Free Press
Kardinal Offishall drops new version of Northern Touch for the Toronto Raptors
The full remix of the Canadian hip-hop anthem debuted before the team's first playoff game – Richard Trapunski, NOW
Toronto’s Discovery Records closing down after 36 years
Discovery Used & Collectors’ Records in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood is shutting down, with a month-long April close-out sale serving as the shop’s farewell. Owner Jim Levitt opened the store in 1982 with 10 milk crates of used albums set atop some donated old banquet tables – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
From left: Joey Scolari, Tom Pistore, Keith Pelley, Wayne Zronik and Tim Leiweke speaking on State of the Industry panel at Departure at Toronto's Hotel X on May 8, 2025.Mike Highfield