Music Biz Headlines, March 19, 2018
The inside story of the demise of NME, Toronto's top 100 songs, and criticism of contemporary hip-hop for ignoring its roots. Also in the headlines are Rachel Beck, ageing rockers, Lindi Ortega, Rory Gallagher, John Prine, music biz sexism, The Mekons, Juno Songwriting Circle, The Winnipeg Folk Festival, and Gobsmacked!
By Kerry Doole
We need a new category for today's rap music because this shit ain't hip-hop
Contemporary hip-hop is ignoring the roots of the genre – Dustin J. Seibert, theroot.com
'Its soul was lost somewhere': inside the demise of NME
The cover of NME was still coveted by bands right to the end – but for readers themselves, it was a different story. Ex-staffers, publishers and musicians tell the inside story of how a once-mighty media brand lost its cool – Laura Snapes, The Guardian
Bands keep on rocking without key members. But is it still the same?
Foreigner is about to tour Ontario, but with just one original member – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Rachel Beck Finds Her Solo Wings With Self-Titled Record
After having amassed a respectable following as a part of the folk duo The Beck Sisters, Prince Edward Island’s Rachel Beck arrived at a creative crossroads almost two years ago – Kevin Kelley, noreasteronline
We picked Toronto’s top 100 songs — now tell us why we’re wrong
What are the biggest hits, the most influential Toronto songs recorded? Here’s our stab at the list – Toronto Star
Lindi Ortega loves birds, Tarantino — but not photos of herself
Objectively, the Calgary-based singer is both stylish and beautiful. Early in her career, she suffered so much from body-dysmorphic disorder that when she wasn’t wearing giant sunglasses on stage, she hid her entire head under a stylized birdcage – Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal
The late Irish guitar great was honoured at Fender guitars Irish HQ during a special event attended by President Michael D Higgins and Rory’s brother Donal Gallagher – Alan Coors, rte.com
The Last Word: John Prine on fatherhood, Johnny Cash, why happiness isn't good for songwriting
The godfather of Americana also shares his thoughts on the best lyric he ever wrote, becoming a dad at 48 and car-shopping on eBay – Patrick Doyle, Rolling Stone
‘You expect us not to call you out?’ – Camp Cope and the Australian musicians fighting industry sexism
Whether it’s standing up to sexual abuse or male-dominated festival lineups, female Australian musicians, and their #MeNoMore campaign, have got their government listening – Kate Hennessy, The Guardian
Borders break-in yielded big break for punk-rock veterans the Mekons
It’s now over four decades since a group of wayward youths broke into a quiet Galashiels cottage, earning themselves a footnote in Borders musical history – Southern Reporter
Juno Songwriters Circle an entertaining way to learn a thing or two
Comments from Bob Rock and Jann Arden, co-hosts of the Juno Songwriting Circle on March 25 in Vancouver – Dana Gee, Calgary Herald
"Environmentalism is part of our ethos"
An interview with Arwen Helene of the Winnipeg Folk Festival – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Gobsmacked! rides the a cappella wave into Toronto’s CAA Theatre
Beatboxer Ball-Zee says he likes the variety of his role in vocal revue hitting town this month – Raju Mudhar, Toronto Star
