Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 27, 2020
Andy Shauf (pictured) gets conceptual, the 2020 sound of Toronto, and the longevity of Wolf Parade. Others in the headlines include the NMC, STP, Thunder Queens, the Grammys, Sony Music, Lucian Grainge, Amazon, Taylor Swift, Joey Kramer, Chick Corea, The Haden Triplets, and Jimi Hendrix.
By Kerry Doole
The sound of Toronto right now: this music is setting the tone in 2020
From globe-trotting hip-hop to future dancehall, here are eight snapshots of artists pushing the scene forward and more to watch in 2020. The music they’re making is strong, vibrant and diverse – the whole world in one city’s music scene. – Staff, NOW
The NMC is tuning in to how music can help heal
Taking a cue from a national mental health initiative, the National Music Centre is launching a music and healing program stream. In spring, it will launch a weekly music and healing program for the public. In the fall, NMC will also unveil its updated Body and Brain exhibition with new content. – Calgary Herald
Review: Andy Shauf sets an entire album at Parkdale's Skyline diner
Written and performed wholly by Shauf, The Neon Skyline is wistful, but also sweet, philosophical, self-deprecating and very relatable – especially if you live in Toronto. – Carla Gillis, NOW
Wolf Parade coming up with their fifth album, Thin Mind, is somewhat miraculous
Popular rock bands are on the verge of becoming an endangered species in the land of Rush. Three of the most anticipated Canadian rock records of 2020 come from fortysomethings who formed their bands at least 15 years ago: Billy Talent (1993), Alexisonfire (2001), and Wolf Parade (2003). Of those three, Wolf Parade would have been the one that the music industry would have dubbed “least likely to succeed.” – Michael Barclay, the Globe and Mail
Thunder Queens: London pre-teens releasing first punk album
Inspired by Girls Rock Camp, the duo is hoping to make a mark on the local music scene. – CBC
Ensemble Made in Canada wraps up sprawling Mosaïque Project tour in St. Catharines
One hundred and fifty or so years in the making, Ensemble Made In Canada’s ambitious Mosaïque Project culminated in a live-streamed concert on Jan. 24. The piano quartet commissioned a suite of new works by 14 Canadian composers (including indie rocker Julie Doiron, jazzer David Braid and classical composer Ana Sokolovic), each representing a province, territory or Indigenous region of Canada. – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
STP cancels tour, including a Commodore show
Stone Temple Pilots have suddenly been forced to cancel a North American tour that was supposed to kick off February 5 at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom. The '90s faux-grunge act announced that singer Jeff Gutt has been diagnosed with herniated discs, and will require weeks of physical therapy and rehab. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Ten questions with Braden Lam
The Driftwood People's front person dishes about Stanning Tim Baker and his NSYNC phase. – Morgan Mullin, The Coast
International
Sony Music increases focus on Southeast Asia, Middle East with strategic restructuring
The company is following recent moves in the region by Universal Music Group, AEG and others, opening new hubs throughout Asia and the Middle East that will more directly connect its operations in those regions with the company’s New York-based leadership team, it was announced Thursday (Jan. 23). – Chris Eggertsen, Billboard
Grammy Awards chief alleges nominating process is 'rigged' in NBC News interview
In an interview with NBC News' Kate Snow, Deborah Dugan also described the academy as an "old boys' club" where misogyny runs rampant. – NBC
Grammy preview: Will the sound of the new — Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Rosalia — have staying power?
The nominations for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards provided a window into now, the artists that defined 2019: Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Rosalia, Lil Nas X. The trouble with “now” is making it last. –Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune
Universal Music CEO Lucian Grainge toasted by Shawn Mendes and more at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
A host of A-list stars including Justin Bieber, Lionel Richie and Lewis Capaldi turned out for the Thursday morning tribute. – Pamela Chelin, Billboard
How a punk-inspired collective beat the streaming giants at their own game
The streaming regime is a terrible way for artists to make a living. A punk co-op just fixed that. – Liliana Harrington, Salon
Glen Phillips of Toad The Wet Sprocket on adapting to a changing music industry and the power of song
In a quickly changing music industry, Toad the Wet Sprocket singer, songwriter and guitarist Glen Phillips has looked for new ways to challenge himself artistically outside the commercial realm. – Jim Ryan, Forbes
Amazon Music gains on Apple Music with over 55 million subscribers globally
The announcement represents the first time Amazon has shared growth metrics for its streaming service, which is claimed to be catching up to Apple Music's last subscriber count of over 60 million last June. – Tim Hardwick, Macrumors
Beyond applause, questioning authority: Taylor Swift grows up
The Sundance Film Festival began Thursday night with the premiere of a new documentary titled “Miss Americana,” though you could have just as easily called it “The Awakening of Taylor Swift.” – Kyle Buchanan, The New York Times
Mickey Smith Jr. is the recipient of the 2020 Music Educator Award
The honour is presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. – OaOa
Aerosmith's Joey Kramer turned away from rehearsal by guards
He arrived at an Aerosmith Grammy rehearsal in L.A. only to be turned away by two security guards. The guards made it clear they were given the orders to refuse Joey's entry by the other 4 members of the band. – TMZ
Chick Corea is the well-tempered clavierist
At 78, in the midst of a wave of creative activity that’s impressive even for him, the pianist is intensely focused on staying in tune—in every sense of that term. – Tom Moon, JazzTimes
Galway-born Eimear Noone will be the first female ever to take charge of the orchestra at the Academy Awards when she conducts excerpts from the five nominated scores at the Dolby Theatre for the Oscars on February 9.– RTE
Music pick: The Haden Triplets
Rachel, Tanya and Petra are often linked with their late father, the influential jazz double-bassist Charlie Haden, who played with Ornette Coleman and led his own Liberation Music Orchestra, among other projects. But the trio go further back in time to celebrate their heritage on their new album, The Family Songbook. – LA Weekly
A Jimi Hendrix Experience in London
Thanks to surviving landmarks and an impressive museum exhibit that recreates one of his old flats, London offers a lot to Hendrix fans, 50 years since the performer last called it home. –Justin Sablich, The New York Times
Huey Lewis says Ménière’s disease has left him unable to sing and perform
The upcoming Huey Lewis & The News album will likely be his final release. – Alex Young, CoS
Tommy Chong waxes philosophical about his stoner persona, jazz music, and dealing with Trump
In a recent phone interview, the performer waxed philosophical about his new film, his career as a whole, and his thoughts on jazz musicians, drugs, and drug laws. – Gary Kramer, Salon
Drive-By Truckers on meeting Mick Jagger — and getting back to work
The recording process, though, featured a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will forever be etched into the making of The Unraveling. – Chuck Armstrong No Depression
