Music Biz Headlines, May 27, 2020
Chart-topper Nav (pictured) is profiled, Paul Brandt’s personal cause, and Grimes’ weirdly named baby. Others in the headlines are The Garrys, VSO, Robbie Williams, drive-ins, The Washboard Union, WMG, Paradigm, eMusic, live streams revenue, Philip Glass, Yesterday, Drive-By Truckers, Brian May, and Powderfinger.
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
A Philip Glass score was lost. Fifty years later, here it is
Brian May, 72, suffers heart attack as Queen guitarist says he was ‘near death’ after being rushed to hospital in agony
May has revealed he suffered a heart attack and was rushed to hospital in "agony". Queen's lead guitarist said doctors found he had three blocked arteries after he felt pain in his chest that lasted about 40 minutes. –The Sun
Steve Earle, Drive-By Truckers & the music of "white men without college degrees"
The Curmudgeon on truckers, miners & the music of democracy. – Geoffrey Himes, Paste
Robbie Williams has five TV shows in the works
Robbie Williams is looking to build a TV empire after revealing he’s working on five new show ideas. The former Take That star, 46, told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper he’s looking to kick off the next big TV franchise. – WENN
The New Normal: Amid coronavirus closures, museums take their missions online
With their real-world doors shut amid coronavirus-related precautions, many music museums and heritage organizations have turned their focus to virtual resources in an effort to maintain both their missions and audiences. – No Depression
Powderfinger’s one-off virtual reunion gig was worth the wait
After a decade-long hiatus, the Australian rock favourites regrouped Saturday (May 23) for One Night Lonely, a seven-song online set which raised funds for music industry charity Support Act and mental wellbeing support service Beyond Blue. Over $460K (Aus) was raised. – Lars Brandle, Billboard
