Music Biz Headlines, May 27, 2020

By FYI Staff

Fighting human trafficking is a ‘personal responsibility’ for country star Paul Brandt

Paul Brandt says he knew he would devote his life to fighting human trafficking when, several years ago, he looked into the eyes of a five-year-old Cambodian girl who was being sold for sex between six and eight times a night. –  Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press

Toronto rapper Nav is following his dreams

The artist hopes to someday draw similar acclaim to Drake and The Weeknd. –  Gary Hamilton, AP

We all lose a lot when an orchestra falls silent

In the days and weeks ahead, if you read of orchestra and opera companies shuttering for the summer or longer, take a moment to feel the deep shock and pain that this is, for all of us. This is the pain I felt when I heard that the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera will no longer be open for the 2020-21 season. – Tania Miller, Globe and Mail 

Saskatoon band The Garrys cautioning others about live stream scams after being targeted

Band says fans need to be cautious before they click. – Morgan Modjeski, CBC News · 

Grimes and Elon Musk have different pronunciations for their baby's name

As Grimes and Elon Musk are quickly finding out, naming your child X Æ A-12 presents a series of challenges. In addition to having to constantly defend the decision, there's also the issue of California law preventing the name from being legally allowable. And then there's the issue of how the hell you pronounce it. – Josiah Hughes, Exclaim!

Classical musicians introduce neighbours to Bach yard music

As the weather has warmed up, so are Calgary’s local musicians. Curbside, garden and lawn concerts are a growing trend as artists find a way to bring their music to the community and pocket some badly needed cash at the same time. Two accomplished local musicians are now bringing classical to the fore. – Michele Jarvie, Calgary Herald

Amid Covid-19 restrictions, the drive-in movie theatre is poised for a comeback in Vancouver

Throughout the pandemic, the Twilight has been drawing people in droves (with new capacity limits, plus a requirement that everyone must be in a car). But now as many as three different groups are trying to secure large parking-lot areas in the heart of Vancouver for a new style of pandemic-era movie-watching. Concerts are being planned too. –  Janet Smith, Georgia Straight

Complete Country: Mix It Up With The Washboard Union

Every great drink begins with a blowtorch, right? On this episode of #MixItUp, Chris from The Washboard Union shows us how to make the BEST Old Fashioned!  – Complete Country

International

Warner Music Group launches IPO

WMG announced the launch of its initial public offering (IPO) on Monday. The third-largest music group had delayed IPO plans in early March at the start of the pandemic and had been expected to not move forward until after the crisis and ensuing economic collapse had passed. – Hypebot

Is Len Blavatnik about to complete the shrewdest deal in record business history?

With a bit of good fortune, Blavatnik could be about to do something most moguls can only dream of: entirely recovering the money it cost him to buy Warner, while maintaining majority ownership of a $16bn-valued music company. – Tim Ingham, MBW

Near Truths: Wass up with Paradigm?

Paradigm appears to be on the cusp of a new chapter, with a deal believed to be nearly in place—for its music division only—with sports-entertainment mogul Casey Wasserman, grandson of Last Mogul Lew Wasserman. The consensus among top players in the space is that such a deal—and Wasserman’s stewardship—would be most welcome. – Hits Daily Double

Understanding music royalties, rights

In this piece Disc Makers’ CEO Tony van Veen offers a quick crash course in the basics of how royalties and rights work, and what you, as an artist, need to do to ensure you get paid. – Hypebot

eMusic launches a digital eMU token to benefit artists

Digital music pioneer eMusic, the company that launched the first online store for MP3 downloads, today becomes the first major music service to launch a digital token (eMU), creating an unique opportunity to build a sustainable music ecosystem to the benefit of artists, fans, and music services. – Business Wire

More indie record stores are going under - Steady Sounds, Dead Media latest

Although states across America are reopening their economies following lockdown measures stemming from the coronavirus crisis, many independent record stores are being forced to permanently close their doors. – Dylan Smith, Digital Music News

Maximizing your revenue when streaming live shows

As musicians transition from live shows to live streams, they are finding ways to monetize their performances, even if they aren’t “in person.” Some of these revenue options aren’t even available when playing live. – Jason Feehan and Randy Chertkow, Discmakers

Musicians faced with creating ‘new ideas’ to entice fans back to gigs

Every industry is feeling the effects of this pandemic, including the Irish music industry which has ground to a halt in recent months. As we entered the first phase of lifting lockdown restrictions this week, the road back to normal life seems like it will be a slow one that won’t be without its complications. – Orlaith Condon, Extra

Original ‘Yesterday’ writer claims Richard Curtis took full credit for the Beatles movie

Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney both previously expressed their admiration for the film.  – Damian Jones, NME