Music Biz Headlines, Aug. 1, 2018

By Kerry Doole

How we made Steppenwolf's Born to Be Wild

It soundtracked the counterculture in Easy Rider – and ended up being played on the moon and Mars, Mars Bonfire and John Kay discuss the rock anthem. – Dave Simpson, The Guardian

In the Hot Seat with Larry LeBlanc: Brian Eno, musician, artist, producer, thinker.

It is apparent that there’s no measure in contemporary culture to absolutely gauge Brian Eno. His staggering command of several creative disciplines places him alongside traditional giants of each while his ability to amalgamate art and music has made him an icon of popular culture. – Larry LeBlanc, Celebrity Access

The rise of the computer-generated celebrity

A new generation of celebrities are selling out concerts, starring in commercials, and amassing huge Instagram followings. But none of them exist—corporeally, anyway. –  Miranda Katz, Wired

Rapper Jazz Cartier talks about his ‘crazy’ vulnerability on major-label debut album

On the release day for Jazz Cartier’s much-anticipated major-label debut, Fleurever, it’s clear from the outset that he doesn’t want to be doing interviews.  –   Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

The Beat Goes On in newly merged Waterloo location

Ontario record store chain founder hopes to bring back 'the experience' with live bands, nostalgia.  –  Bill Jackson, Waterloo Chronicle

Security measures have been strengthened this year for Lollapalooza in the wake of Las Vegas mass shooting

Expect to see enhanced security — more Chicago police officers, additional fencing, new bag restrictions and airport-style screening at the entrances of Grant Park when the fest returns Thursday.   –  Tracy Swartz, Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune

Horrifying as this might sound, Hedley’s Jacob Hoggard has actually done something good for the world

Who would have thought that a second-tier CanCon rock band would be the group that finally ruined the decades-and-decades-long rock ’n’ roll party for, well, everyone? Hedley, you’ve finally become famous for something other than being the kind of generic rock-radio-ready unit that everyone with a modicum of good taste loves to hate. –  Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight

Introducing Afro-soul to a hard-rock town

Ghana-born Kojo Damptey is launching a record label, putting the finishing touches on a new album and organizing a music festival. –  Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator

Foo Fighters review: Success and excess embraced at Wrigley

Too much wasn’t enough for Foo Fighters Sunday at a packed Wrigley Field. Playing the first of a two-night stand, the veteran band embraced almost any opportunity to go bigger and longer.  – Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune

From walkability to Bigsound, why Brisbane’s music scene rules

To the music industry, winter here means one thing: Bigsound is coming. For four days in early September, Fortitude Valley’s venues, bars, cafes and hotels are packed with musicians and industry movers and shakers from Australia and all across the globe. – Madeleine Laing, Broadsheet

Wu-Tang Clan's Masta Killa reflects on 25 years of success

With seven Wu-Tang Clan albums and numerous solo outings under his belt, Masta Killa has cemented his legacy as one of the true giants of hip-hop. – Kate Wilson, Georgia Straight 

New piece of music theatre honours Ojibwe war hero Francis Pegahmagabow

Truth and Reconciliation may not seem like a natural fit with the musical stage. But at Walter Hall a crack team of artists from Owen Sound proved that some challenges are worth overcoming.  – John Terauds, Toronto Star

Phish closes out two-night Forum stand with rituals and virtuosity (Review)

A Phish concert is probably the closest thing you can find these days to the spirit of a vintage Dead show, with its distinct rituals passed on. – Roy Trakin, Pollstar

Kanye West struggles with suicidal thoughts

The rapper shared a candid insight into his mental health on Twitter on Friday, after watching the documentary McQueen, about the late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide in 2010, and Kanye confessed he understood why the designer had taken his own life. – WENN

Meet the artists striving for diversity in Vancouver’s electronic music scene

Vancouver’s CURRENT: Feminist Electronic Art Symposium was curated with the intention of building a framework for greater diversity and intersectionality across the Canadian electronic music circuit.  – Eoin Murray, djmag

Mike Plume: On the road again, thankfully, with new roots-rock album

Last year his wife and daughter sat him down for a serious talk. They wanted the singer-songwriter to know that he was overlooking a very crucial part of his life, playing on the road.    Tom Murray, Edmonton Journal

Creating an aural tapestry of music

Briga is one of the many musicians coming from around the world for the 26th Mill Race Festival this coming weekend. –  Coral Andrews, Waterloo Region Record