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FYI

Music Biz Headlines, July 25, 2018

Chris Cornell will be honoured with a Seattle statue, R. Kelly fights back, and Rich Aucoin wraps his marathon cycling trek. Others in the headlines include Fairland Funhouse, Lorde, Interstellar Rodeo, Toto, Ryuichi Sakamoto, MorMor, Wallgrin, Big Pond, and the Home County fest.

Music Biz Headlines, July 25, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Statue honouring Chris Cornell to be erected in Seattle

The late grunge pioneer and Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell will be remembered in the city where he was born. He died a year ago, at age 52 – AP


Greedy music bosses can’t see the gig is up

Unless the industry cuts sky-high ticket and vinyl prices it will drive away the fans who have given it a second chance – Liam Fay, The Times

R. Kelly responds to accusations with a 19-minute new song.

The soul star has long been termed a sexual predator – Randall Roberts, LA Times

Rich Aucoin bike blog wrap-up: Impressions from cycling across America

Travelling across a country only 40 years older than this invention and on a land with peoples 100 times older than it, I felt a great connection to this rock we live on. I cannot recommend enough travelling by some form of open-air transportation, with the bicycle being the most natural in my opinion  –The Coast

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Fairland Funhouse proposal divides Kensington Market community

To some, a former grocery store’s transformation into an art maze/doughnut shop/music studio/craft beer-serving hipster hangout seems a perfect fit for Toronto’s eclectic Kensington Market. For others, the soon-to-be converted store has become the latest obstacle in the ongoing fight to preserve the beloved historic neighbourhood from overdevelopment –  Megan Ogilvie, Toronto Star

The 100th edition of Now That's What I Call Music has its failings

It includes a greatest hits disc that favours the arena titans – overlooking the pleasure of rediscovering the one-hit wonders and sub-genres buried in these pop time capsules –  Bob Stanley, The Guardian

Smooth sailing through stormy seas at Interstellar Rodeo

If anything, the turbulent weather and safety delays made the day at Interstellar Rodeo better, as the good-natured, super-chill music festival repeatedly showed off its true character – Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal

"This is crazy": Lorde suffers on-stage wardrobe malfunction

Lorde had to halt a festival show in Australia on Saturday night as her dress started to fall apart – WENN

Chicken does best Toto “Africa” cover. Ever.

You've all heard Toto's biggest hit before, but never like this – Michael Hainsworth, Geeks and Beats

Annoyed by restaurant playlists, a master musician made his own

How Ryuichi Sakamoto assembled the soundtrack for Kajitsu, in Murray Hall –  New York Times 

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MorMor proves he could be one of Toronto's hottest exports on Heaven’s Only Wishful

A compelling, sweet-voiced mix of Dev Hynes, How To Dress Well and Rhye, Seth Nyquist uses the five songs on this EP to prove he should be on your radar – Cam Lindsay, NOW

Dancing with a pedigreed cello at Stratford Summer Music

Québec cellist Stéphane Tétrault  worked his musical magic on a $6 million (U.S.) instrument, shining on Bach suites – John Terauds, Toronto Star

5 things to know about Bird/Alien by Wallgrin

Vancouver-based artist Tegan Wahlgren heads up Wallgrin, a project where she performs vocals, violin and electronics. Her instruments and gear of choice come in handy for delivering the multitudes of voicings required  – Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun

Annual Big Pond concert still draws a crowd 54 years after its debut

The Big Pond summer concert was still music to the ears of those who took in the annual show that has traditionally featured some of Cape Breton’s most talented musicians  – David Jala, Cape Breton Post

Surprise and familiarity combine as 45th Home County folk fest opens at Victoria Park

You just never know what you're going to get at Home County Music & Art Festival and this past weekend was no different  – Joe Belanger, London Free Press

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EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.
Courtesy of Girl Connected

EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.

Record Labels

EMPIRE President Tina Davis Gives Strategic Advice to Women in Music at Girl Connected's New Speaker Series

On Friday (March 28), the president of EMPIRE, the Bay Area-independent label and music company, came to Toronto for Conversation with the Pros offering tangible advice to the mentorship program's community. Davis also spoke to Billboard Canada about her impressive journey in the industry.

Girl Connected has launched a new series that connects the next generation of women in Canadian music with powerhouse executives for the global industry.

On Friday (March 28), Tina Davis, president of EMPIRE, sat down with Girl Connected founder and music industry veteran Lola Plaku at Toronto Metropolitan University for the first in-person Canadian edition of Conversations with the Pros (Billboard Canada was a supporting partner). The series brings in inspiring music industry figures from Girl Connected's international network to talk about their journeys and offer actionable information and advice to help the budding music professionals develop their skills and reach the next level of their careers.

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