Music Biz Headlines, April 4, 2018

By FYI Staff

BC Music fund should include education in schools

The new $7.5-million provincial government music fund has, as its stated goals, to find emerging artists, foster up-and-coming talent and support live music events in the province, but money should also be available to boost music education in schools, former school superintendent Geoff Johnson opines. – Times Colonist

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek: Once the music industry’s slayer now its saviour

The service, which has 71 million paid user accounts, has shelled out about US$10B in royalties to artists, music labels and publishers. – WSJ

The state of the Music Cities union

Music is not the only answer to how to create growth, attract entrepreneurs, improve fairness and develop greater community relations, but it’s part of the toolbox, yet it remains something that isn’t as integrated as much as other sectors. This is something I am driven to change, so music is rightly regarded for what it is — an economic generator, tourism driver and key indicator to improve all our lives. – Shain Shapiro, Medium

Is Gibson headed for Chapter 11?

Gibson, what happened? There’s been talk of bankruptcy swirling around Gibson, the venerated Nashville-based guitar company, which takes in more than $1.2 billion in annual revenue but is more than $500 million in debt –  Danny Hakim, NY Times

Viv Albertine digs deep in her new memoir

The memoir is a chronicle of outsiderness that goes beyond her years in the Slits to explore class and gender, her parents and sibling rivalry, and why she’s done with men –  Sean O'Hagan, The Guardian

With folk roots and hip-hop influence, Irish artist Dermot Kennedy is on the verge of breaking out

He is a young writer already in transition, a singer with a strong backbone and star power beginning to test his limits and find new contexts for his talent –  August Brown, LA Times

The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye dips back into his pool of sadness on new album

His mini-album My Dear Melancholy, has a familiar sound and some decent tunes to tide fans of Toronto Star over –  Ben Rayner, The Toronto Star

Musician Nils Lofgren's stolen instruments are found just days after Dallas concert

The Bruce Springsteen sideman had gear nicked in Dallas last week, but some was later retrieved –  Guide Live

Inaugural Vancouver K-pop Con 2018 to feature performers Amber and A.C.E.

The popularity of the unstoppable Asian music force otherwise known as K-pop continues to expand internationally, and one of the latest indications of that is an upcoming event to that fans can look forward to in Metro Vancouver –  Craig Takeuchi, Georgia Straight

The best Toronto concerts happening in April

Charlotte Day Wilson and U.S. Girls play hotly anticipated hometown shows, Lil Berete debuts, Ty Segall returns and more  –  NOW

Talking Heads' 'Naked' at 30

Chris Frantz and the album's producer Steve Lillywhite look band on the band's swansong – Billboard

Musicians hit by 'management scam'

A music company "scam" has left artists thousands of pounds out of pocket, with one singer saying she now faces being made homeless because of her losses –  Guy Lynn and George Greenwood, BBC News

Accordion-playing author Geoff Berner says it's time to pick your side

The acclaimed and outspoken singer/songwriter has published his second novel –  Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal

Ronnie Wood on The Rolling Stones’ new tour, exploding lungs and the ultimate frontman

The Rolling Stones guitarist, 70, on the band’s new tour, exploding lungs and the ultimate frontman… but is it Mick or Rod?  –  Chris Cowley, Metro

The nature of Construction & Destruction 

The foggy art-rock East Coast duo listens and observes  –  Brennan McCracken, The Coast