Music Biz Headlines, March 2, 2018
Hedley going on hiatus, the budget gets mixed reviews, Lights lights up Houston, Quincy apologizes, books to read, Elise LeGrow finds fandom in Paris, and Sarah Slean joins a Joni tribute – plus a whole lot more in the weekend read.
By FYI Staff
Canadian government excited about 2018 budget; music industry not so much
Tabled by Finance Minister Bill Morneau in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Budget 2018 -- Equality + Growth: A Strong Middle Class -- was guided by a new Gender Results Framework and takes "the next steps towards building an equal, competitive, sustainable, and fair Canada -- where science, curiosity, and innovation spur economic growth – Karen Bliss, Billboard
Music Canada applauds 2018 Federal Budget
“Reforming the Copyright Board of Canada has for years been a top priority for creators and the businesses that support them,” says Music Canada President & CEO Graham Henderson. “Music Canada extends our appreciation to the Government, particularly Ministers Bains and Joly, for taking the next step in modernizing this institution, which is vital for Canada’s cultural industries.” – Graham Henderson, President, Music Canada
Hedley recessing after tour ends in March
After its countrywide tour at the end of March, the group is going on an “indefinite hiatus," according to frontman Jacob Hoggard – The Canadian Press
Live Nation posts $10.3B revenue, 24 percent growth on year
The American global entertainment company had an astounding $2B gain over the previous year. Concerts were worth $7.9Bin 2017, up 26 percent, while concert attendance—from 30,000 shows in 40 countries—grew 21 percent to 86 million – Pollstar
Ten juiciest law suits in the music industry
Barbra Streisand, who was linked to a pretty ridiculous lawsuit, once said "Somebody does something you don't like, you tell ‘em!" and that's exactly what the following lawsuits are all about. Here, we have selected some of the juiciest lawsuits in the music biz you might have forgotten about – Piera Lolandes, Baeblemusic
Quincy Jones apologises for controversial comments following family intervention
The music producer took to Twitter on Wednesday, February 22, to issue a heartfelt apology for his statements and to thank his family for their grace – US Weekly
Lights reminds Houston that we can be giants
Lights is one of those artists who has been hitting a hardcore tour schedule and selling gold records for a decade, but I only recently became aware of her through her latest album, Skin and Earth. For that I have my wife to thank. I haven’t seen her form such an intense bond with an album in many years – Jef Rouner, Houston Press
Tune in, tune out: psychologists say music helps athletes perform
The music athletes listen to before, during, and after an event can affect their performance according to research done by sports psychologists – Anna Dimoff, CBC News
The books being read by people around the music business
You’ll probably find something of interest. Some books are about music. Some are about technology. Some have nothing to do with either music or technology – Glenn Peoples, Medium
Elise LeGrow: 'That’s the essence of creativity: not caring what other people need you to do or need you to be'
As concepts for debut albums go, LeGrow’s is certainly intriguing. Rather than creating an album of original work, she has instead taken on one of the most formidable back catalogues in music history – Elizabeth Aubrey, Independent
Two things you must do to start making music publishing income from your songs
Music publishing is a valuable source of income primarily because making money is its only real function – Eric Beal guest post, Sonicbids blog
English Montrealers have a voice on La Voix
The phenomenally popular talent show "has bridged the two solitudes," as one of its producers puts it – Montreal Gazette
The best music streaming services: Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music compared
Here are the best streaming services around, and the pros and cons of all the apps and sites out available – Matthew Field, The Telegraph
Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and Hedley? 'A wake-up call for everybody'
In my 20 or so years of interviewing musicians, it’s common to hear men say they started playing guitar or singing or writing songs to “get girls.” Female musicians, on the other hand, usually say they started because they were trying to make sense of the jumble of emotions that come with being a teenager. Or because singing or playing an instrument made them feel better – Lynn Saxberg, Postmedia
Robert Plant on stylistic exploration, Trump, and all those “dull” tribute bands
One man’s reality is not another man’s, either, so my songs just say what they say – Karen Bliss, Sharp magazine
Got your music on SoundCloud? Limited time offer means it is free to sample
Professional quality mastering, available 24/7, zero turnaround time, and delivery in minutes – LANDR website
Keith Richards apologises to Mick Jagger for saying he needed a vasectomy
Rolling Stones guitarist made comment in interview with Wall Street Journal Magazine calling frontman a ‘randy old bastard’ – Agence France-Presse
How bands are escaping the music industry snake pit
Kobalt is a technology-driven music services company that gives songwriters and bands complete ownership of their work and a greater share of income than has traditionally been the case in the industry – Chris Johnston, bbc.com
Brett Anderson: ‘I had started my musical journey wanting to be the quiet one at the back’
The Suede frontman remembers the crushing blow of losing his mother and the subsequent fumbling beginnings of the band in this extract from his memoir –The Observer
Afie Jurvanen aims for clarity in Bahamas’ songs
For his fourth full-length release, the Toronto troubadour builds a set of ’70s-style, country-soul-flavoured originals around his tremolo-laden guitar and an increasingly confident voice – Ken Eisner, Georgia Straight
How claiming creative control helps women musicians stay the course
Tori Amos was part of a wave of women musicians who took the reins, creatively and professionally, over their music in the '90s – Beth Winegarner, npr.org
“For me, it’s just about pursuing things that are beautiful and mysterious and, also, maybe trying to be helpful" – David Peisner, Atlanta Magazine
What Muhal meant: The liberating credo of Muhal Richard Abrams
As a pianist, composer, and founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, Abrams fostered an approach that values essences of sound and space more than notions of style and place – Larry Blumenfeld, Village Voice
The Toronto-based singer/songwriter has mobilized many of the city's most underrated musicians to create a stunning, detail-rich album about violence – Richard Trapunski, NOW
Amati Quartet's new album dedicated to Marla Cole
The late violinist's legacy will live on in a new album by the University of Saskatchewan Amati Quartet – Star Phoenix
Soccer Mommy confronts all the disappointments of love on ‘Clean’
Love is no paradise in the songs of Sophie Allison, 20, who records as Soccer Mommy. It’s a realm of misunderstandings, disappointments, unfulfilled longings and everyday betrayals – Jon Pareles, New York Times
Moonwake is in the zone
The atmospheric Halifax six-piece aims to push people to new places – Brennan McCracken, The Coast
Sarah Slean joins SSO in tribute to Joni Mitchell
In collaboration with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra,the Toronto chanteuse honours her favourite singer/songwriter – Saskatoon Express
I'm with the band: meet the pitiful proteges of pop music patrons
From Kurt Cobain espousing the middling Melvins to Kanye West signing a singer from the library circuit, an artist’s ability to make great music doesn’t always mean they can identify it – Michael Hann, The Guardian
Toronto Symphony plays it safe as it unveils its 2018/19 season
Traditional season of classical concerts with all-ages programming and pops includes returns of Canadian stars Jan Lisiecki, Louis Lortie and Barbara Hannigan – John Terauds, Toronto Star
How jazz outlaw Melanie Charles found voodoo in Brooklyn
Charles let ghosts into the room, channeling Billie, Ella, and Nina with equal verve. you could have easily felt yourself drifting backwards a decade at a time – T.M. Brown, Village Voice
