Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 29, 2018
Superstar singers like Celine Dion are running into voice problems and a top music publishing exec ponders sexual harassment in the industry. Also in the headlines are Andy Hines, Maren Morris, the Aga Khan Museum, Oh Susanna, Susan Aglukark, Sportsfan, Laila Biali, Justin Timberlake, and Vancouver concerts.
By Kerry Doole
What's robbing Adele, Céline Dion and many more singers of their voices
A music industry driven by live performances puts an increasing strain on singers' most valuable instrument – Eli Glasner, CBC News
Grammy-nominated Nova Scotia director on creating music videos with a social impact
Andy Hines still gets emotionally overwhelmed remembering the day his Grammy-nominated music video "1-800-273-8255" went online. The song, written by rapper Logic and featuring Khalid and Alessia Cara, has itself been an impetus for conversations about suicide – Canadian Press
Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman/CEO Jody Gerson on why the music industry has yet to have a #MeToo moment
"I've always run this company with zero tolerance for that [sexual harassment] — and anybody who knows me knows that. But funny enough, the Harvey Weinstein thing hasn't affected our business the way it has other businesses" – Camille Dodero, Billboard
Maren Morris and the country singers attacking gun violence
After the country music community’s notorious silence over gun control, a new generation of stars planned to voice their opinions at the Grammys – Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian
Aga Khan Museum embraces music to express ‘intangible culture’
The Toronto museum is adding soundscapes to its galleries along with depictions of sonic creations of Muslim peoples worldwide – John Terauds, Toronto Star
Oh Susanna revisits her Vancouver youth on her latest album
Legends and landmarks populate the veteran roots songstress' current release, A Girl in Teen City, set in 1980s Vancouver – Alex Varty, Georgia Straight
Montreal cantor is up for Grammy for work on Leonard Cohen album
“This has been a bizarre, strange, wondrous journey,” says Gideon Zelermyer, a Rhode Island native who moved to Montreal 17 years ago and sings with the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue choir – Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette
Susan Aglukark’s healing homeland
The Inuk artist explores identity, experience and belonging through new music on the album Winter’s Dream – Stephen Cooke, Halifax Chronicle-Herald
Spirit of spontaneity: Laila Biali builds on jazz foundation on self-titled album
The Toronto singer wanted to create something “holistically representative” of who she is. That’s no small challenge when your descriptors include pianist, composer, arranger, singer-songwriter, jazz artist, pop performer and radio host – Stephanie McKay, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
The jangle and fizz of local rockers Sportsfan grows out of friendship
A breakout year for the power-pop foursome hitting Smiling Buddha on Feb. 2 might be upon us – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
The Grammy Awards at 60: What mad larks
Prior to the big show last night, the trade press was full of complaints about how expensive NYC is – John Doyle, Globe and Mail
12 Vancouver concerts this week, January 29 to February 2
An eclectic grouping playing around town includes Lights, The Wombats, Booker T. Jones, Portugal: The Man, The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, Lynn Miles, and The Drive-By Truckers –Steve Newton, Georgia Straight
Justin Timberlake: Man of the Woods review – from plain bad to bewitching
He’s melded the country and western and southern rock of his native Tennessee with latter-day R&B – and it’s hard not to be impressed – Alex Petridis, The Guardian