Music Biz Headlines, March 29, 2021
A new collection showcases Willie Dunn (pictured), Andy Shauf evades the spotlight, and The Weeknd teases a new NFT song. Also in the headlines are Emmanuelle Gattuso, Streetheart, Larnell Lewis, Deadmau5's cat, DFA 1979, Celine, Tegan & Sara, UMG, streaming stats, Grammy numbers, TuneIn, Elvis Costello, SXSW, and Miriam Linna.
By Kerry Doole
A new anthology celebrates Indigenous music pioneer Willie Dunn
A new collection on the acclaimed reissues label Light In The Attic showcases the pioneering Indigenous troubadour, filmmaker and activist. – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
‘We decided to fund the things that aren’t sexy’: Emmanuelle Gattuso’s gamechanging approach to philanthropy
When the pandemic hit, Emmanuelle Gattuso, one of Toronto’s most committed philanthropists, worked harder than ever to help her beloved city. – Leanne Delap, Toronto Star
Andy Shauf got noticed when he made Barack Obama’s summer playlist, but he’s not exactly seeking out the limelight
Some musicians are magnets for attention. No matter where they go or what they’re doing, they always seem to demand recognition and flattery. But Andy Shauf, one of Toronto’s best kept musical secrets, is the exact opposite of that attention-seeking stereotype, remaining unobtrusive even at his own gigs. – Hayden Godfrey, Toronto Star
The Weeknd teases release of new NFT song “coming soon”
The star's cryptic tweet suggests an NFT release is likely. – Damian Jones, NME
Long trip, full tank
Streetheart members used Covid time out to write and record new tunes. – David Sanderson, Winnipeg Free Press
Grammy winning Toronto musician can play any song after hearing it one time
With a music career that’s netted him multiple Grammy awards and Juno nominations, Larnell Lewis is anything but a one hit wonder. The Toronto-based drummer and composer is suddenly a viral video sensation thanks to his uncanny ability to replicate iconic rock songs in one take. – CTV News
Deadmau5's cat Meowingtons is the first animal with an OnlyFans account
In these uncertain times, everyone needs a side hustle. Now, even Deadmau5's cat Meowingtons is pulling his weight. The black-and-white snuggle buddy is the newest member of content subscription service OnlyFans. He's also the first animal to join the platform. – Katie Bain, Billboard
Death From Above 1979 are back, on track and feeling the love
Death From Above 1979’s latest album, Is 4 Lovers, was recorded over five weeks in a rented Los Angeles rehearsal space, then cut up produced and mastered by the band. The duo’s fourth studio release is an intentional return to its muscular, dancey, riff-laiden roots — albeit from a considerably more mature vantagepoint. – Jonathan Dekel, Toronto Star
Celine Dion set to receive honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College's School of Music
The ‘My Heart Will Go On’ hitmaker will receive an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College's School of Music. Dion will join Pharrell Williams, Donald Harrison, and Chad Hugo in picking up honorary doctorates from the esteemed institution. – PerthNow
A look at a new record label created for Indigenous musicians
Red Music Rising was created to support an Indigenous arts community on the rise. – Brylian Marin, The Runner
From the CBC archives: When Calgary musicians Tegan & Sara were still in high school
These days, Canadian music fans know the pop band formed by a pair of Calgary identical twins as Tegan & Sara. But back in April 1998, when local teens mostly concerned themselves with "final exams and graduation," a CBC Calgary reporter checked them out. – CBC
B.C. to provide $16 million in funding for arts and culture organizations for Covid-19 recovery
The B.C. government stated that it will provide an additional $14 million in resilience supplements to 588 arts and culture organizations in the province. – Craig Takeuchi, Georgia Straight
How one Toronto company is using music merch to help struggling bars
Taking cues from the music world, Merch Tent is helping bars and venues stay afloat with limited edition merchandise. – Richard Trapunski, NOW
International
Is Universal Music Group worth $29 billion? $49 billion? Even $100 billion?
The music business is in an oddly inert place right now. The biggest music business story of several years is waiting in the wings, and it could be even more climactic than anticipated. Last month, UMG parent company Vivendi confirmed that its management board was considering a proposal to “spin out” 60% of the world’s biggest music company onto the Amsterdam Stock Exchange at an undefined point in 2021. But what valuation will Universal reach as a public company? – Tim Ingham, Rolling Stone
Why we think streaming subscription ARPU fell by around 8% globally for the record industry last year
In spite of the pandemic, the headline numbers from IFPI were upbeat: global recorded music revenues reached $21.6 billion last year, representing an increase of 7.4% versus 2019. However, behind the celebrations of a growing industry in a pandemic year, you might just hear some record industry grumbles about that old chestnut, subscription-related Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). – Tim Ingham, MBW
Barcelona hosts large crowd after testing for Covid
The concert is seen as a rehearsal for the return of live music. – BBC
TuneIn loses appeal against judgment in Sony and Warner copyright infringement lawsuit in the UK
“The company was hoping to overturn the judgment in the Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment copyright infringement lawsuit that was made in November 2019.” – Murray Stassen, MBW
Near truths: Grammy numbers
The verdict on the Grammys telecast—from bizniks and critics alike—has been nearly unanimous: It was the best show in years. The show’s lineup of young stars represents the essence of today’s business, and their millions of fans simply don’t consume media via broadcast TV or iTunes anymore. Those metrics exemplify old-school thinking, so much so that Nielsen will end up fighting for relevancy in the near future. – I.B. Bad, Hits Daily Double
Getting It Done: The week in D.I.Y. & Indie music
In our tips and tricks section this week, we offered artists advice on how to find detailed TikTok analytics, how to use Instagram filters to promote your music, how to deal with public feedback on your music, and much more. – Hypebot
Tom Petty, 'Somewhere You Feel Free,’ ‘The Fallout’ win SXSW Audience Awards
Nicholas Bruckman’s “Not Going Quietly” won the documentary audience prize at the famed Austin music and film fest. – Brian Welk, The Wrap
65 great British albums to test your hi-fi system
The albums below are not necessarily those with the highest production value, with every instrument polished to the bone, but they do all highlight those facets of reproduced sound that it is imperative any good system gets right. There are tricky rhythms, exaggerated dynamic shifts, and of course plenty of dense textures to sonically explore. – What Hifi
Chronicling rock and roll’s neglected stories
Miriam Linna, who recently published a five-pound book on the history of Fortune Records, keeps her apartment teeming with jukeboxes, magazines, and records made more for love than money. – Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker
Elvis Costello albums from worst to best
We’re refreshing and revising our old Counting Down lists to make room for new albums and insights that have come along since their initial publication. Our first ranking of Elvis Costello’s albums from worst to best originally ran on August 9, 2013. – Stereogum
