advertisement
FYI

Music Biz Headlines, July 27, 2018

John Kay (pictured) turns philanthropist, Canadian rockers cash in on the craft beer fad and the trials of Demi Lovato. Also in the headlines are Gruff Rhys, the Ness Creek and Squamish fests, Toto, Ryuichi Sakamoto, National Album Day, Joan Jett, Nilüfer Yanya, Evanescence, and The Interrupters.

Music Biz Headlines, July 27, 2018

By Kerry Doole

How Canadian indie bands are cashing in on craft beer fests

Acts like the Rural Alberta Advantage, Sloan and Tokyo Police Club have found lucrative collaborations with breweries... even if they don't drink. –   Cam Lindsay, NOW


'I wasn't ready to get sober': how Demi Lovato faces her demons squarely

The pop star’s battles with addiction and mental illness have been fought in the public eye, charted in documentaries and songs. For that, she deserves respect and compassion. –  Michael Cragg, The Guardian

Born to be good: John Kay’s long road from rocker to philanthropist

More than four decades after his seminal hit "Born To Be Wild," the Steppenwolf singer is still on the road, but instead of touring arenas full of leather-clad bikers, he's in small Cambodian towns and African wildlife reserves, working to help others.  –  Jon Azpiri, Zoomer

advertisement

Family-friendly Squamish music festival spreads love with yoga, First Nations teachings and bass

Artists playing this weekend include Handsome Tiger, Alpha Yaya Diallo, Erica Dee, and Buckman Coe. –   Shawn Conner, Vancouver Sun

This much I know: Gruff Rhys interview

The musician, 48, on the importance of his Welsh identity, campaigning to remain and taking a tank to festivals to use as a sound system. –   James McMahon, Guardian

Singer Jacob Hoggard’s mug shot raises questions about Toronto police decisions

The recent release of a stark mug shot featuring rock star Jacob Hoggard has raised questions about how Toronto police decide when and why to make public such images. –  Cassandra Szklarski, CP

No serious incidents reported during Ness Creek Music Festival

There were a number of violations that took place throughout the weekend, including eleven violations for exceeding the speed limit. -–  Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

Toto: Still holding the line 40 years on

The band is out on its 40 Trips Around the Sun tour in support of the greatest hits package of the same name, released in honour of the band’s four-decade run. –   Stuart Derdeyn, Calgary Sun

Piano wizard Ryuichi Sakamoto receives a slightly premature Coda

A new film documentary profiles piano wizard Ryuichi Sakamoto, likely one of the most influential musicians you’ve heard but never heard of. –   Ken Eisner, Georgia Straight

National Album Day: celebrating nothing but a revenue opportunity

Online distribution, invented by the music industry, killed the album. But now the industry is asking us to cough up. –  Michael Hann, The Guardian

advertisement

This British singer brings her all-white electric guitar and perfect on-stage curl trick to Pitchfork

Undecorated, brash, punky—but not punk—are all terms the rising singer and songwriter Nilüfer Yanya uses to describe her work. –  Kate Branch, Vogue

The Trailer for Joan Jett's Bad Reputation documentary is now released

The general movie release is set for theatres, on-demand and iTunes and Amazon on September 28. –   Paul Cashmere, Noise11.com

Meet The Interrupters, the first female-fronted ska band with an alternative radio hit since No Doubt

Here is a ska-punk band that’s defying all logical expectations for a 2018 ska-punk band.  – Chris Payne, Billboard

Evanescence and Lindsey Stirling a dynamic duo on summer tour

Resurgent rockers Evanescence and high-steppin’ violinist Lindsey Stirling dared dream exceptionally big for their co-headlining concert tour this summer, enlisting a full orchestra in each of the 31 cities they’ll visit. –  Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

advertisement
Kesha
Brendan Walter

Kesha

Chart Beat

Kesha Brings 'Holiday Road' to The Billboard Canadian Hot 100

The newly independent pop singer's cover of Lindsay Buckingham's 1983 song from National Lampoon's Vacation was first released as a Spotify exclusive for the holidays. Michael Bublé's Christmas, meanwhile, remains at No. 1 on the Canadian Albums chart.

Kesha has brought an under-appreciated holiday gem back to the charts. Her version of "Holiday Road" debuts on this week's Billboard Canadian Hot 100 (dated Dec. 28, 2024) at No. 83.

"Holiday Road" was originally released in 1983 by Fleetwood Mac legend Lindsey Buckingham and serves as the propulsive opening theme to the Chevy Chase-starting classic comedy road trip film National Lampoon's Vacation.

keep readingShow less
advertisement