Music Biz Headlines, July 9, 2018

By Kerry Doole

It’s been 20 years since “One Week”

Ed Robertson looks back at the Barenaked Ladies' mad hit, the one that broke them in the US  –  Scott Lapatine, Stereogum

Review: The expert 'Whitney' sheds new light on Whitney Houston's triumphant and tragic life

Unlike Nick Broomfield's earlier "Whitney: Can I Be Me," Kevin Macdonald had the cooperation of Houston's family, with the singer's sister-in-law Pat Houston, the executor of her estate, serving as an executive producer.  – Kenneth Turan, LA Times

Robert Lepage calls the cancellation of his SLAV show ‘a direct blow to artistic freedom’

Quebec stage director Robert Lepage broke his silence on the abrupt cancellation of his controversial Montreal Jazz Festival show, calling it a direct attack on artistic freedom –  Sidharta Banerjee, CP 

Indigenous musicians to be featured at Edmonton's Interstellar Rodeo

Edmonton's Interstellar Rodeo music festival will feature an abundance of Indigenous talent at its 2018 event. Held July 20 to July 22 in Hawrelak Park, one-third of this year's lineup fits that category –  Paula Kirman, windspeaker.com

Expect high-level performances at this year’s Toronto Summer Music Festival

It’s that time of year again when the smiling face of artistic director Jonathan Crow on a multi-coloured brochure announces the appearance of the oasis in our traditional warm-weather musical drought –  William Littler, Toronto Star

Christina Aguilera’s new album Liberation has her feeling ‘like a brand new artist’

In the 20 years since Christina Aguilera’s arrival helped usher in a new era of pop, the performer has shown she’s unafraid of transformation –  Gerrick Kennedy, Los Angeles Times

Swede dreams: what to expect from Solange’s collaboration with Ikea

The interior design brand has enlisted the soul star to work on a new line. What new spin will she put on the BILLY bookcase? –  Leonie Cooper, The Guardian

Is Toronto hip-hop outgrowing radio?

While local stations are re-embracing up-and-coming musicians, some are finding it cheaper and more accessible to go around the dial –  Sergio Arangio, NOW

FVDED in the Park signals rock’s decline

The world is hankering after electronic music, and this major fest in Surrey offers proof  Kate Wilson, Georgia Straight

'I choreographed This is America, and this is my story'

Meet 23-year-old Sherrie Silver, who masterminded the dance choreography on Childish Gambino's viral video This is America  –  bbc.com

Revisiting Mary Margaret O'Hara's Miss America

The president inexplicably invoked the legendary artist during a campaign-style rally Thursday night –  Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Meet the infectious Fungus 

The Halifax trio marries 90s grunge with country and blues on its debut EP D’well  – Tara Thorne, The Coast

Tremoloco mines its Mexican-Americana roots sound for Alberta fans

“Don't get me wrong, we love Canadians, but the next time you try to burn down the Whitehouse, could you try to make sure the president is inside!” — Tremoloco's Mexican-American bandleader Tony Zamora  – Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal

Carnaval del Sol's beats help Latin American soccer fans heal from World Cup disappointments

You have to marvel over the magnitude of low-cost or free entertainment that's available in our town now compared to 10 or 20 years ago in Vancouver. Carnaval del Sol is one of those occasions – Charlie Smith, Georgia Straight

 Charli XCX on her sources of inspiration

The UK queen of rowdy partygirl pop on touring with Taylor Swift, being a workaholic - and not smiling to order – Tom Lamont The Guardian