Music Biz Headlines, July 7, 2022

By Kerry Doole

Originally formed as a tribute band, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings is ‘something we go to when we are hungry’

They came together in 1996 over a mutual love of unheralded Canadian singer-songwriter Willie P. Bennett. Their latest album “O Glory” is out July 8. Reflecting on their quarter-century journey that shows no signs of ending soon, Colin Linden said: “It’s exceeded our dreams in so many ways. We never thought we would do a gig let alone talk about staying together for more than 25 years.” – David McPherson, Toronto Star

Montreal International Jazz Festival's 42nd edition hits the music

The Montreal International Jazz Festival Festival is again taking downtown by storm once this summer. This 42nd edition, presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto and running from June 30 to July 9, means the public is able to soak up that thrilling festival vibe for 10 fun and festive days. – The Suburban

Drake joins Backstreet Boys concert at Budweiser Stage in Toronto

Backstreet Boys fans got a surprise at the group’s concert in Toronto last Saturday. There was what appeared to be a sixth Backstreet Boy at the Budweiser Stage as Canadian rapper Drake joined the boy band onstage. The Backstreet Boys were in Toronto as part of their DNA World Tour.– CP

Bohemian Embassy ‘ambassador’ Don Cullen nurtured the talents of fellow artists

Mr. Cullen spent most of his illustrious career creating space for others. His Bohemian Embassy coffeehouse, which operated in four different Toronto locations between 1960 and 1992, featured musicians, poets, comedians and actors and offered the first stages for such figures as Margaret Atwood, Gordon Lightfoot and Sylvia Tyson. – Nicholas Jennings, The Globe and Mail

2022 has been full of music gems. These are the best 11 albums … so far

These 11 albums (with a few honourable mentions), presented in no particular order, resonated most with the Star Tracks team in the first half of the year. – Staff, Toronto Star

The Guardian view on Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah: praise be

Great anthems are not always the best songs but they play the important role of channelling communal emotions. – The Guardian

Former Niagara actor George Masswohl comes out of ‘Come From Away’ with new band

Celtic-flavoured The Rowdymen play Cat’s Caboose July 10. – John Law, Niagara Falls Review

BrottOpera brings Rossini’s La Cenerentola to the stage

“Singing that you can feel in your soul.” So wrote Gioachino Rossini of his vocal ideal in an 1851 letter to a nobleman. Excellent tips for the cast of BrottOpera’s production of Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” (Cinderella) which will play FirstOntario Concert Hall on Thursday, July 14. – Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator

Halifax's Pillow Fite and Dali Van Gogh drop new albums

 When it comes to the hard rock scene in Halifax, Dali Van Gogh is a stalwart. Over the last 10 years, the band has dropped four records—making a name for itself with international tours and a steady hometown presence. Now there is the just-released New Blood, Old Wounds, a blistering EP that dropped today. – Morgan Mullin, The Coast

Jasmyn weaves new beginnings

Jasmyn Burke is preparing for a new adventure. The Toronto singer-songwriter is breaking free from her role as a frontwoman and going solo on her beautiful new album, In The Wild. Formerly of the eclectic indie rock band Weaves, Jasmyn is now a mononymous name and she’s ready to share her buzzy, synth-heavy new sound. – Amy Lloyd, NEXT

5 Questions with Ken Yates on his new album

Creemore-based singer-songwriter Ken Yates delivers insight into the making of this latest studio album, Cerulean, which DittyTV recommends you hear as soon as possible. Marking his fourth studio album, Cerulean sees Yates working again with producer Jim Bryson, though in a more distant manner than on Huntsville (2016), which Bryson also produced. – DittyTV

International

Songwriters, rejoice: Spotify appeal FAILS to stop composers getting improved 15.1% streaming royalty rate in the US

The saga is over. The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has today (July 1) maintained its decision to increase the headline rate paid to songwriters in the United States from on-demand streaming services between the years 2018 and 2022. – Tim Ingham, MBW

Deezer goes Public: Spotify rival makes stock market debut in Paris

Spotify rival Deezer is officially a publicly-listed company. The music streaming service made its stock market debut in its home country of France on the Euronext Paris July 5, after combining its business with I2PO, a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) based in France. The company’s public listing comes seven years after the plug was pulled on its previous attempt at an IPO. – Murray Stassen, MBW

Frank Zappa catalogs and archives sell to Universal Music Group

The rock icon's music assets carry a valuation of between $25-30 million, according to Billboard estimates. – Ed Christman, Billboard

This week In the Hot Seat with Larry LeBlanc: Jim Ed Norman, musician/producer/arranger.

In both music and manner, Jim Ed Norman is Southern irascible, and impeccably well-connected. Given that he is so revered throughout the music industry, his thoughts are to be listened to attentively, as his incredible wealth of musical experience as a label executive, producer, and arranger gives him wisdom that is remarkably rare. Celebrity Access

Kanye West sued over claim of illegal sample on ‘Donda 2’

Rapper, producer and entrepreneur Kanye West (aka Ye) was sued on Wednesday for allegedly sampling a song by musician Marshall Jefferson without permission. Ultra International Music Publishing LLC said Flowers from West’s album Donda 2 includes a sample from Jefferson’s 1986 dance song Move Your Body that is repeated at least 22 times. – Blake Brittain, Reuters

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong vows to renounce his U.S. citizenship after Roe v. Wade reversal

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong doesn’t wanna be an American idiot. At a recent London Stadium concert, the Oakland-born singer and guitarist vowed to renounce his United States citizenship shortly after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. “F— America,” Armstrong shouted. “I’m f— renouncing my citizenship. I’m f— coming here.” – Christi Carras, LA Times

Babyface signs with Capitol Records, announces new album 'Girls' Night Out'

Babyface has signed a contract with Capitol Records. The legendary singer/songwriter/producer's first project for the label will be Girls' Night Out, a sonic journey through love, heartbreak and all of the emotions. – RTTNews

Logic signs with BMG following Def Jam exit

The 32-year-old rapper  Logic released his final album for Def Jam Recordings in June. He partnered with BMG to be “respected as an artist.” Logic inked a deal with BMG after finishing up his run at Def Jam Recordings. – AllHipHop

Love guitarist Johnny Echols: ‘Arthur Lee was warm, giving – and obnoxious’

Currently touring the UK, Echols harks back to the multiracial band whose Forever Changes was hailed as a masterpiece, but who faced chaos, false rumours, racism, drug addiction and more. – Garth Cartwright, The Guardian

The path of great classical music

Barton Swaim, in his review of John Mauceri’s book “The War on Music” (June 17), cites the lack of new music that “any normal person would want to hear” as one reason for declining audiences at classical musical performances. – Wall Street Journal

Olivia Rodrigo review- pop punk star fizzes with energy

Rodrigo’s lyrics resonate powerfully with a teenage audience, as her passionate bedroom ballads and nimble covers articulate both heartbreak and rage. – Dave Simpson, The Guardian

Ricky Martin denies domestic abuse allegations

The star has denied the domestic abuse allegations made against him in a restraining order request. A judge signed off on the restraining order request and police officers in Puerto Rico visited Ricky Martin’s home in Dorado to try to serve him the order, police spokesman Axel Valencia told AP on Saturday. The order was filed under the island’s domestic violence law. – Music-News.