Music Biz Headlines, Feb. 14, 2018
Robert Plant has no interest in living in the past, and a look at why so many rock stars are retiring. Those also in the headlines today include Greta Gerwig, Keys N Krates, Chevy Chase, Mary Timony, Folkways, used vinyl, and Jóhann Jóhannsson.
By Kerry Doole
Robert Plant has a sensational new band, so why would he get Led Zeppelin back together?
At 69, the one-time rock howler has no interest in living in the past: ‘I want to be able to do stuff I won’t tire from’ – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
Lady Bird, Dave Matthews Band and the films that give corny songs new life
Greta Gerwig’s penchant for 90s soft rock got OUR writers thinking about other cheesy numbers revived in cinema, from Sweet Caroline to Rhythm of the Night – The Guardian
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Why rock stars are suddenly retiring
From Elton John to Paul Simon and Neil Diamond, a generation of elders searches for a new way to say goodbye – Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone
Keys N Krates are warmer and more soulful than their contemporaries on Cura
On their debut album, the Toronto trio channel retro influences into a modern and cohesive mix of hip-hop and electronic production – Max Mertens, NOW
Chevy Chase digs Bill Evans
The comedy legend reminisces about his friendship with the jazz great – Jazz Times
The singing professor uses music to educate gold miners about mercury
UBC prof Marcello Veiga heads to Colombia where he will be singing to about 600 miners in 11 states about the dangers of using highly toxic mercury in extracting gold – Kevin Griffin, Vancouver Sun
Mary Timony had to relearn her Helium songs to play them on tour
As the indie and grunge rockers of the 1980s and ’90s approach late middle age, hatchet-buryings and band reunions are becoming almost an everyday occurrence. But what happens when aging songwriters revisit their younger selves? – Alex Varty, Georgia Straight
Three women explore riches of the Folkways song archive
Rachel Eddy, Rachel Ries, and Edmontonian Dana Wylie bring folk favourites to life – Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
Jóhann Jóhannsson: the late Icelandic composer who made loss sublime
Best known for his film scores, Jóhannsson’s earlier electronic and classical work confronted existential horror – Joe Muggs, The Guardian
Disappearing act: As the vinyl industry resurges, used records are vanishing under the weight of new reprints
Nielsen, or any sales tracker for that matter, has no reports of the secondhand record sales taking place, but anecdotal evidence suggests it is on the decline – Imad Pasha, dailycal.org
Aya NakamuraMarion Gomez/Billboard France