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FYI

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.

Music Biz Headlines, June 8, 2018

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

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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

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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

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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

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An archival photo of Gary Topp (right) with Sting & The Police and his former promotion partner Gary Cormier (left).
Fordham PR

An archival photo of Gary Topp (right) with Sting & The Police and his former promotion partner Gary Cormier (left).

FYI

Music News Digest: Legendary Toronto Promoter Gary Topp Celebrated In New Book 'He Hijacked My Brain'

This week: Canadian festival submission dates, Jesse Greene wins The Amy Louie Grossman`s Music Scholarship, singer-songwriter Dave Gunning fights food insecurity in schools in Nova Scotia.

Awards News

On Nov. 26, The Amy Louie Grossman`s Music Scholarship fundraiser and presentation took place at Grossman's Tavern in Toronto. Jesse Greene took home the $2000 bursary for blues musicians, and Jay Bleus was handed the runner up prize of $1000. The 2022 winners Five And Ten presented ALGMS matriarch Christina Louie with a framed cover of the recording they were able to produce with their scholarship assistance.

The Downchild Blues Band, Danny Marks, The Happy Pals, Frankie Foo and Jesse Greene performed at the fundraiser, Dan McKinnon handled the MC and stage manager duties and Kiddie Car Music (Kid Carson) donated the backline. Donations at the fund raiser added $2165.00 to the ALGMS fund.

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