By Kerry Doole
Rich Aucoin wants you to feature on his next album
The Halifax indie-electronic act is working on the third installment of his quadruple album—and this weekend, he brings his Synthetic odyssey to The Shore Club. – Martin Bauman, The Coast
Joni Mitchell announces next archival project, ‘The Asylum Years’
It's the third volume of the singer's ongoing retrospective albums. ‘The Asylum Years’ will come out in October and will feature rarities, unheard tracks and more from three Mitchell albums: 1972’s ‘For The Roses’, 1974’s ‘Court And Spark’ and 1975’s ‘The Hissing Of Summer Lawns’. – Will Richards, NME
Return of live shows after pandemic revived performing arts industry, StatCan says
A new report from Statistics Canada says the return of live shows and events after pandemic restrictions revived the country’s performing arts industry in 2022, with significant revenue and salary growth in specific sectors. The report says promoters and presenters of performing arts, sports and similar events hit hard by Covid-19 cancellations in 2020 and 2021 saw revenue increases of nearly 146 per cent in 2022, compared to the previous year. – CP
‘It has given my life purpose’ — Ebonnie Rowe on helping women in music with Honey Jam
The 28th annual Honey Jam, which showcases emerging Canadian female artists, is to take place this Thursday at TD Music Hall. – Janiece Campbell, Toronto Star
It’s time for the HPYO to “Tune Up!”
“The primary goal of the intensive is to make friends and have fun making music together," says Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Music director David Willms.The event runs this week. – Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator
Japanese-style listening lounges: The latest trend to hit Toronto nightlife
Now, nearly a century later, these kissatens are becoming popular here in Toronto, giving the city’s audiophiles a place to sip a cocktail or coffee—or even enjoy a full meal—while focusing on the tones of hi-fidelety music playing over state-of-the-art sound systems. – Megan Gallant, Streets Of Toronto
Despite fans’ adoration, the National frontman Matt Berninger wasn’t that compelling for much of Toronto show
But Patti Smith, who played to many empty seats at Budweiser Stage, showed her punk spirit has not dimmed. – Nick Krewen, The Star
Lost albums by Mort Garson, Nina Simone, John Coltrane and Neil Young have fans over the moon
In a digital age when music is more accessible than ever, the reappearance of music thought to have disappeared, or the release of an album long stashed away in a vault, holds a special kind of magic for completists and casual fans alike. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
CNE features cover band stop versions of Rolling Stones, Heart and the Bee Gees — sort of
‘I can reminisce about seeing them … when I was in my teens or 20s … that nostalgia is a huge part of what the CNE is all about’. – Sue Carter, Toronto Star
Long-running Canadian jazz, blues and gospel label Justin Time Records turns 40
Canadian jazz, blues and gospel label Justin Time Records has just released a compilation, 40 Years of Justin Time Records,. Founded in Montreal in 1983 by Jim West, Justin Time began its renowned history by releasing the first recording from jazz pianist Oliver Jones. Now 40 years later with over 600 recordings released by some of the finest musicians in the world. – The Grateful Web
Inuk artist Elisapie gives new meaning to pop and rock classics in new album Inuktitut
The start to what Inuk musician Elisapie calls a “healing journey” began as many complicated, cathartic experiences do, with Swedish pop music. – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Why Taylor Swift’s concerts will not benefit City of Toronto
For the Ontario and federal governments, Swift’s concerts will be a burst of revenue in the fall of 2024. The City of Toronto’s take will be nil. – Alan Broadbent, Toronto Star
People are reselling Taylor Swift tickets in Canada for $30K
The presale for Eras Tour tickets went up on August 9 and while some fans were put on a waitlist before they could buy the tickets, it seems that the resellers got there first. What resulted are outrageous prices and bad deals. SeatGeek users are reselling multiple tickets for the Nov. 15 show for more than $20,000. Tanushi Bhatnagar, Daily Hive
Concert ticket prices can be outrageous. Here’s how to get them for less
Tickets to see your favourite performer live can cost an arm and leg. But experts say with a little planning — and luck — you can scoop them up at a discount. – Srivindhya Kolluru, Toronto Star
International
Jungkook now has 35.5M monthly Spotify listeners - more than BTS
Jungkook is a solo superstar. At the time of writing, according to stats available publicly on Spotify, the HYBE-signed K-Pop artist has 35,578,104 monthly listeners on the music streaming platform. BTS, the megastar K-Pop group of which Jungkook is a member, has 34,981,739 monthly Spotify listeners, which means that he has officially overtaken his own band’s monthly listener count on the platform. – Murray Stassen, MBW
Private equity's love of music tech continues, as STG acquires Pro Tools maker Avid for $1.4bn
One of the world's most prominent makers of professional music-making software is being acquired in a deal worth $1.4 billion. Avid Technology, the developer of video and audio editing tools, including the well-known Pro Tools DAW, has agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Symphony Technology Group (STG) in an all-cash transaction worth around USD $1.4Bb, including debt. – MBW
YouTube and UMG partner to develop AI music tools
YouTube and Universal Music Group have formed an alliance that they say will jointly develop AI tools that offer “safe, responsible and profitable” opportunities to music rightsholders. Other music industry players are being invited to get involved. – Tim Ingham, MBW
AI-generated art cannot be copyrighted, rules US Federal Court in another landmark decision
Art created by artificial intelligence without human input cannot be copyrighted under US law, rules a federal court in Washington, DC. When Stephen Thaler, the creator of an AI system he calls the “Creativity Machine,” sought to register work generated by the system for copyright, the Copyright Office denied the request on the grounds that the work had no human authorship. – Ashley King, Digital Music News
Songwriters are worried about BMI’s private equity sale – and their royalties. What happens now?
The on-again, off-again sale of US-headquartered performing rights organization BMI appears to be on again, and this time around, songwriters are asking pointed questions about what BMI’s sale could mean for their royalties. – MBW
Timbaland acquires strategic stake in lifestyle and vinyl brand 12on12
Music producer Timbaland has acquired a strategic stake in UK-born lifestyle and vinyl brand 12on12. His involvement in the company arrives over a year after Grammy Award-winning producer Swizz Beatz invested in the business, also acquiring a strategic stake. – Murray Stassen, MBW
Dolly Parton will never retire, hopes to 'drop dead in the middle of a song' someday.
Dolly hopes to be "workin’ 9 to 5" for a long time to come. – Meghan Overdeep Southern Living
Rob Moose helped transform the sound of indie rock with his string arrangements. Now he’s charting his own path
The multi-instrumentalist has collaborated with the biggest names in indie and pop, from Phoebe Bridgers to Bon Iver and Taylor Swift. – Richie Assaly Toronto Star
Britney Spears’ husband seeks financial support, says in divorce filing their split came weeks ago
Britney Spears and her husband Sam Asghari separated nearly three weeks ago, and he is seeking spousal support and attorneys’ fees in their divorce, according to his divorce filing. Asghari, 29, filed his petition to dissolve his 14-month-old marriage to the 41-year-old pop superstar in Los Angeles County court late Wednesday. – A Dalton & R Pearson, AP
Outlaw country icon Steve Earle is trying to instill the value of listening
“I’m at the point in my life where I’m trying really, really, really hard to impress upon people, especially in America, that we’re in the trouble we’re in because we don’t listen,” Steve Earle says, on a Zoom call from the road. And when the hardcore American troubadour and outlaw country icon suggests you listen, you better be all ears. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
‘I just write, you know?’ Steve Earle has songwriting down pat. Next, a TV pilot, two books and a Broadway musical
Steve Earle, the outspoken troubadour responsible for some of music’s most enduring and sublime Americana songs, has a new goal in mind as he creeps toward the age of 70: a Broadway musical. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
The Guinness heir who became the ‘saviour’ of traditional Irish songs
Arts patron Garech Browne is the subject of a new book that hails him as a cultural rescuer who helped preserve Ireland’s folk tunes and poems. – Rory Carroll, The Observer
The Killers apologize for bringing Russian Fan onstage in Georgia and saying they're all "brothers"
"You can't recognize that someone's your brother?" Brandon Flowers asked the crowd in the country Russia invaded in 2008. – Exclaim!
Sufjan Stevens, Victoria Monét, Lost Girls, and more: This week’s Pitchfork Selects Playlist
Our weekly playlist highlights songs that our writers, editors, and contributors are listening to on repeat. – Pitchfork
Oliver Anthony’s ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ is the No. 1 song in the country
A week ago the Virginia singer was an unknown — now he and his populist anthem are ahead of artists like Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen on the Hot 100. – Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan announces October 2023 tour dates in North America
Dylan has been on tour in support of Rough and Rowdy Ways since fall 2021. – Pitchfork
Lizzo’s brand was built on empowerment and acceptance. Her accusers tell another story.
Lizzo built an empire on positivity. Now, allegations of fat-shaming, toxicity and sexual harassment threaten her hard-won image. One of the former backup dancers suing the artist sat down with The Times to address the accusations. – LA Times
