Music Biz Headlines, Dec. 21, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Exeter-formed rock band UIC planning new music

Two classic albums were recently re-released by Warner Music Canada, and the garage rockers have a renewed enthusiasm. – Scott Nixon, Lakeshore Advance

Caracol: Constantly redefining her music

Carole Facal’s atypical journey once again captivates listeners with the release of her fourth, electro-pop-tinged album. It’s obvious even on the first listen: Symbolism sees Caracol elegantly and masterfully treading new artistic paths. – Claude Cote, SOCAN Words & Music

Children's entertainers Sharon and Bram owed thousands of dollars by BC promoter

Bram Morrison says the British Columbia leg of their final tour was 'kind of a disaster' – Eric Rankin, CBC

Eight million views: Edmonton woman signs lyrics to deaf father at Three Days Grace concert

A video of a woman signing lyrics to her deaf father at the concert in Edmonton on Wednesday is touching hearts across the globe. In just four days, the video has been viewed more than 8.3 million times on Facebook. The post has been shared nearly 160,000 times, has more than 200,000 reactions and 12,000 comments. – Carson Jerema, Edmonton Journal

It Is Ours: Saskatoon song an example of 'reconciliation in practice'

"I think that reconciliation is a handshake in the dark — you reach our your hand, and you don't really know how it will be received." – Matt Olson, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

Riverdale star KJ Apa joins Saskatoon band The Steadies on stage in Vancouver

If Josie has the Pussycats, should Archie have The Steadies? –  Craig Takeuchi, Georgia Straight

Travis Scott is bringing his Astroworld tour back to Toronto

A victory lap at Scotiabank Arena for the Houston rapper. Plus: just announced shows from Deafheaven, Cass McCombs, The Claypool Lennon Delirium and more.  – NOW

Shocking rock news: Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are releasing a Best of Kiss album without "Deuce" on it

I'm not kidding. Kiss's best song from its best album is nowhere to be found on the Kissworld track listing, which instead features such godawful Kiss tunes as "Shandi" and "God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II". –  Steve Newton, Georgia Straight

Mumford & Sons thrive, when they stick to arena-folk, at Toronto show

This crowd was into it, on its feet and roaring and drinking itself delirious with impressively two-fisted abandon for the duration. I haven’t seen Toronto go that hard on a school night since the last time Slayer came to town. – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

Ten 2018 albums you don't want to miss

Every year there are some great albums that get overlooked. Here are 10 you really need to hear, including Bryan Ferry going orchestral. –  Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun

International

Swedish women-only music festival found guilty of discrimination

The Statement festival was found to be in breach of gender discrimination law but will not be penalised. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian

Rumour Mill: UK demands US pay to play

Could U.S. radio stations be required to pay for playing U.K. music after Brexit? That’s the demand from British trade body the BPI, which has urged ministers to rectify the lack of payment for airplay when negotiating a free trade agreement with the U.S. after Britain leaves the EU in March. – Hits Daily Double

How the Rolling Stones’ ‘She’s a Rainbow’ got a seven-figure synch renaissance

As far as Rolling Stones chart hits go, “She’s a Rainbow” is more of a cult favourite in the band’s canon, just missing the Top 40 of Mick Jagger’s biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits of all time. But by 2018 standards, it’s suddenly become a smash — based on how many high-profile sync placements the song has received in the fourth quarter alone.  – Andrew Hampp, Variety

The 50 Best Albums of 2018

Through all the noise, here’s what stood out. Hamilton rockers The Dirty Nil make the cut. – Alt Press

The 20 Best Albums of 2018

Each new “best albums” list published seems to confirm: We couldn’t agree on much this year. And it’s extremely exciting. The music industry at large continued to decentralize, with our biggest stars and returning veterans sharing airtime with newcomers and indie upstarts.  – The AV Club

WMG tops $4B in fiscal 2018

This is a first for Warner Music Group since it became a standalone company in 2004. The bank balance is flush with $500m on hand and total revenue rose 12%  – Hits Daily Double

Talent and touring

Cardi B desperate for sex with estranged husband Offset

Cardi B has cheekily confessed to desperately missing sex with her estranged husband Offset in a candid post on Instagram Live. The I Like It hitmaker announced she had separated from the Migos star after just over one year of marriage in a video message to fans earlier this month, amid rumours of his infidelity. – WENN

The Runaways’ Jackie Fuchs is killing it on Jeopardy!

The one-time bassist, who currently practices law in LA, has three Jeopardy! wins.  – Randall Colburn, CoS

Robbie Williams wins pool planning victory over Jimmy Page

The Kensington and Chelsea planning committee chair likened the ongoing planning saga and rock stars feud to Brexit negotiations. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian

Kacey Musgraves envisioned her Grammy-nominated 'Golden Hour' as a 'beautiful hiding place'

The singer is nominated for several Grammy Awards, including album of the year. – Mikael Wood, LA Times

10 things you didn't know about Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour

So anyway, it’s 2018, and Bob Dylan’s Never Ending tour has now been going on for 30 years and nearly 3,000 shows. –  Bill Wyman, Vulture

The enduring, incandescent power of Kate Bush

One secret of the singer Kate Bush’s artistry is that she has never feared the ludicrous—she tries things that other musicians would be too careful or cool to go near. – Margaret Talbot, New Yorker

An unprecedented recording: Rebirth for David Bowie with “Never Let Me Down 2018”

Never Let Me Down was his 17th studio album. Released in 1987, it was a record that achieved decent commercial success but generally poor critical reviews — with no one a tougher critic of the album than Bowie himself. It is now reborn.  – David Weiss, Sonic Scoop