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.
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
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
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
