Music Biz Headlines, June 8, 2018
Ariana Grande struggles with PTSD, a look at a BBC studio's storied history, and a rare Prince album surfaces in Canada. Also in the headlines are the Vancouver Folk Fest, Stephin Merritt, the Beaches, U2, The Dead South, Guitar Center, Echo Beach, Prismatic Festival, Bears in Hazenmore, David Francey, Camila Cabello, Vivienne Westwood, and club safety.
By Kerry Doole
Ariana Grande says she’s struggling with PTSD after Manchester bombing
The 24-year-old pop star told British Vogue she does not like to talk about her experiences because so many people suffered much worse fates in the May 22, 2017 attack that claimed 22 lives – AP
From Doctor Who to Joy Division: five of the greatest Maida Vale recordings
With the legendary BBC studio relocating to east London, we look back at decades of priceless recordings, including Bing Crosby’s final work and Adele’s masterful Dylan cover version – Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian
A rare copy of Prince’s disavowed Black Album is found in Canada
The L.A.-based memorabilia company Recordmecca is offering a previously unknown vinyl copy on the online marketplace Discogs.com, billing it “one of the rarest records in the world" –Cassandra Szklarski, CP
T'Cha Dunlevy: Anglos don't care about Les Francos
Sad that we’re not more curious, that despite all our boasting about Montreal’s enhanced cultural riches, anglo Montrealers prefer to pretend they live in Toronto – Montreal Gazette
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival: an interview with the new artistic director
Formerly executive director at the Calgary Folk Festival, Debbi Salmonsen took over the helm of the VFNF in October – Val Cormier, Roots Music Canada
Stephin Merritt on turning his musical memoir into a concert experience
As the Stephen Sondheim of indie-pop and the maestro of The Magnetic Fields, the US singer-songwriter has made a career of creating character-driven songs – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Juno winners the Beaches reflect on travelling Canada as an all-female rock band
Fresh off their first nationwide headlining tour, all-female rock band the Beaches have tales to tell. But first they need to determine which ones will return to haunt them – CP
Guitar Center looked ready for its swan song, but now the retailer is gearing up for an encore
The plan is to make the stores more welcoming to budding and veteran musicians alike who are ready to spend money on equipment, supplies and other goods and services – Jaclyn Cosgrove, LA Times
Echo Beach's concert season begins with noise complaints
Toronto City Councillor Mike Layton says he has requested that the city monitor sound levels at the Ontario Place venue going forward – Lindsay Kneteman, NOW
Prismatic Festival ramps up for year 10 with epic lineup announcement
The annual fest that's all about highlighting diverse voices, Prismatic always shines bright. For year 10, running Sept. 12-16, , the multi-venue Halifax event is setting the bar even higher – Morgan Mullin, The Coast
Off the Record with Bears in Hazenmore
Regina alternative rock band Bears in Hazenmore has been creating “signature atmospheric soundscapes” since 2014. The theme of their forthcoming album Atlas is people in transition – Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
Camila Cabello review – from Elvira to Havana in goth-pop masterclass
Dressed in a gothic ensemble that belies her mojito-friendly pop, the former Fifth Harmony member showed just how far she’s come with a joyful, energised performance in Glasgow – Graeme Virtue, The Guardian
Forced to break from singing, David Francey picks up a paintbrush
"They're both individual efforts but the sense of completion and contentment when you're finished is identical, in my world anyway" — folk songsmith David Francey – Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
U2's fervour was made for Montreal, but are they saints or sinners?
Bono and the band have undergone a sea change from their '80s zeal to the Experience + Innocence tour, which came to the Bell Centre this week – Mark Lepage, Montreal Gazette
The Dead South Tells a Sordid Puppet Tale In 'Miss Mary' Video: Premiere
Saskatchewan’s The Dead South draws you in with their unique storytelling, foot-stomping bluegrass-folk, and a 1800s pioneer-type style. Their viral video for "In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company” video has now racked up more than 64 million views on YouTube – Karen Bliss, Billboard
Even Vivienne Westwood found her namesake documentary mediocre
In a statement released on Westwood’s official Twitter account, the designer and punk icon disavowed the film, calling it “mediocre" – Abbey Bender, Village Voice
How safe is Toronto's music scene?
If a reckoning is coming for sexual misconduct, it will take the entire community, from showgoers to venue owners, to make it happen – Carly Lewis, NOW
