Music Biz Headlines, Feb. 23, 2018
Gibson attempts to dampen rumours of bankruptcy, and Chris Cornell's widow opens up about his death. Also in the headlines are Erin Benjamin, Elise LeGrow, Bluebird Cafe, Wavelength, Soft Cell, LSD, Matt Holubowski, Herb Alpert, and Ornette Coleman.
By Kerry Doole
Gibson Guitars responds to bankruptcy rumours
After multiple reports it was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, the renowned guitar and musical instrument manufacturer has issued a statement designed to calm the nerves of the legions that rely on its products – Ian Courtney, Celebrity Access
Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and Hedley? 'A wake-up call for everybody'
Music Canada Live executive director Erin Benjamin moderated a panel on the hot topic at last weekend’s Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City – Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
Elise LeGrow: 'That’s the essence of creativity: not caring what other people need you to do or need you to be'
As concepts for debut albums go, LeGrow’s is certainly intriguing. Rather than creating an album of original work, she has instead taken on one of the most formidable back catalogues in music history – Elizabeth Audrey, The Independent
The history of the Bluebird Cafe
The storied Nashville music venue is smaller than the living rooms of some of the stars it’s spawned, but its influence is very big… – Country Music
Chris Cornell’s widow opens up about his addiction and death in her first TV interview
"My husband was the furthest thing from a rock star junkie," she insists – Luke Britton, nme.com
Wavelength Winter Festival proved the series is still a pillar of Toronto's DIY music scene
Here are five ways the newly renamed three-night festival showed Wavelength's continued relevance in the local music community – Michael Rancic, NOW
Bran Van 3000 diva Stéphane Moraille can't shake the music
Daïva draws on Moraille's musical and personal history, from her childhood in Haiti to her time singing in clubs and with Bran Van 3000, and a stint in politics – T'cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Soft Cell reunite for 40th anniversary show and to say goodbye
Marc Almond and Dave Ball play one final show, then the electro-pop heroes retire – VVN Music
Fast-working Jay Som adds polish to indie pop
Soon after graduating high school, she created Turn Into, a nine-track collection recorded in her bedroom that would put her on the radar of cult indie label Polyvinyl Records – Kate Wilson, Georgia Straight
Inside the mind of Amanda Fielding, countess of psychedelic science
If LSD is having its renaissance, 75-year-old English countess Amanda Feilding is its Michelangelo – Wired
Singer Matt Holubowski, a big hit in Quebec, takes another crack at Toronto
Folk-pop star in La Belle Province got a big break on TV, and had some mixed feelings about it. That’s past him now and his efforts to break through elsewhere seem to be paying off – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
Why musicians need better access to mental health services
The broken system has turned me from an artist into a DIY drone therapist – and that should worry you – Kristel Jax, NOW
What In the Word? Bent Phrasing Is On the Rebound In Country Music
Just when you thought it was dying, the pun is doing its best to have the last word in country music – Tom Roland, Billboard
The improv jazz sculptures of Herb Alpert
A look at the life and music of the trumpeter turned label head – Jessica Gelt, LA Times
B.C. musician uses planks of discarded wood for his unique sound system
Giorgio Magnanensi makes the wood resonate to create music – CBC News
Musical revolutionary Ornette Coleman unleashed Free Jazz in 1950s L.A.
Few Americans know much about it, but a radical midcentury revolution in jazz was born in Los Angeles in the late 1950s – Tony Mostrom, LA Weekly
