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FYI

Music Biz Headlines, Feb. 21, 2018

Barenaked Ladies slam-dunk the national anthem, a new wave of African-Canadian pop music emerges, and Neil Young discusses Pono. Also in the headlines are Folk Alliance, women in country, Come From Away, Troker, Enter Sikari, Jon Erickson, Yoko Ono, Willie Nelson, John Lydon, and Sarah Harmer.

Music Biz Headlines, Feb. 21, 2018

By Kerry Doole

The Barenaked Ladies did their country proud, as they performed Canada’s national anthem ahead of the NBA All-Star Game

The four men, who will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, delivered a sweet a capella rendition of “O Canada"  –  Jason Brow, Hollywood Life


Introducing a new wave of African-Canadian pop music

Emerging artists seek to push past traditional genre boundaries, aiming for pop charts and dance clubs  –  Michael Barclay, Globe and Mail

Music industry struggles to shake ugly legacy of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll

Allegations of sexual misconduct swirling around Hedley have put the spotlight on an industry long defined by the mantra of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, but the likes of Melissa Auf der Maur and July Talk's Leah Fay believe a powerful sea change is already well underway – Canadian Press

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Neil Young says the labels killed Pono

It took over a year for him to finally come out and say why his Pono player failed in the marketplace –  noise11.com, Chicago Tribune

Folk Alliance International Turns 30 With Pride, Protest and Diversity

2,700 artists and businesspersons gathered for the 2018 edition of FAI, the most diverse and untamed conference on the roots music calendar. Those impressing included Canadians The Small Glories and Jayme Stone – Craig Havighurst, wmot.org

Women of Country are battling for a place at the table

The latest edition of CMT’s “Next Women of Country” tour comes as women in country music are battling on several fronts: They struggle to get signed to major labels and to get played on the radio. In country music, radio is still the key to everything... –  Allison Stewart, Chicago Tribune

Come From Away takes off in Toronto production

With sustained critical praise and box office draws and the official seal of approval from our U.S. neighbours, the opening matinee audience cheered with unabashed pride –  Carly Magda, Toronto Star

Troker left home to truly make it in Mexico

The instrumental outfit has gradually established itself as one of Mexico’s most lauded musical exports, winning raves around the world  –  Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight

Is Toronto a harsh city for opening bands?

We put that question to a handful of musicians, promoters and fans –  Suzanne Andrew, NOW

Enter Shikari wants The Spark to start fires

The band has released its seventh album, titled The Spark, and found itself once again in the U.K. charts and generating a buzz. Not only for its music, mind you –   Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun

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Jon Erickson still gets excited working with Canadian music legends

He has mixed  the sound for the likes of The Tragically Hip and Bruce Cockburn –  Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail

New Willie Nelson album arriving just in time for country icon's 85th birthday

 “Last Man Standing” is scheduled for release on April 27, two days before the revered country music singer and songwriter turns 85 – Randy Lewis, LA Times

Yoko Ono's view from The Riverbed

Conceptual-art giant underlines that her creation at the Gardiner Museum means ‘everyone has a voice in the work' –   Murray Whyte, Toronto Star

John Lydon: 'I didn’t want to be a comfortable, Mick Jagger-type naughty pop star'

From the Sex Pistols to the various iterations of PiL, via collaborations with Afrika Bambaataa and Leftfield, the legend, innovator and butter salesman picks the best of his output in the latest instalment of our songbook series –   Dave Simpson, The Guardian

Between the Acts: Sarah Harmer on recording a new album at a relaxed pace

"I've been making a record this past year, on and off. I could stand to have some rust knocked off me," the singer says –   Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail

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Billie Eilish performs onstage during Billie Eilish HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR Kick Off at Videotron Centre on Sept. 29, 2024 in Quebec City, Quebec
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation

Billie Eilish performs onstage during Billie Eilish HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR Kick Off at Videotron Centre on Sept. 29, 2024 in Quebec City, Quebec

Music News

Billie Eilish Is Down to Collaborate With Rihanna: ‘She’s Literally My Idol’

RiRi previously said she wanted to work with the "Birds of a Feather" singer.

Rihanna recently said that she wants to collaborate with Billie Eilish — and according to the 22-year-old pop star, she’s waiting by the phone for the Fenty mogul’s call.

In a new cover story interview with Complexpublished Thursday (Dec. 5), Eilish gushed about the moment RiRi shouted her out in October — “If I could only do a song with Billie Eilish, she’s so good,” the superstar said at the time — which the two-time Oscar winner said she “literally thought … was AI.”

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