Music Biz Headlines, May 29, 2019
Montreal Jazz fest legend André Ménard (pictured) discusses 40 years, Drake attracts more flak, and Rosalie Trombley boosted Elton's career. Others in the headlines include Leanne Hoffman, Carrie Underwood, copyright policy, hard drum, Nick Lowe, Gregg Allman, Russian rap, summer songs, biopics, Dido, Neil Young, and ByteDance.
By Kerry Doole
André Ménard: 40 years at The Festival International De Jazz De Montréal
–
Jack Todd: Drake disrespects Toronto, the Raptors and basketball itself
What is everyone talking about? Kawhi Leonard, whose quiet toughness has driven the Raptors bus this far? Or a slightly chubby graduate of Degrassi High with a nasal voice, piles of money and no sense whatsoever of how much is too much? – Montreal Gazette
Meet the trailblazing music director who helped rocket Elton John to success in America
On Nov. 14, 1974, an AM radio station in Southwestern Ontario welcomed an unlikely guest disc jockey: Elton John. The invite came from Big 8 music director Rosalie Trombley, someone directly responsible for Elton John’s stateside, mid-seventies breakout. – John Semley, Globe and Mail
Video premiere: Leanne Hoffman, "If I Leave Town"
A cold night with some cold thoughts in the new single from What Remains. The track is produced by Erin Costelo. – The Coast
TRP.P give an 80s soul classic a 2019 Toronto makeover
Check out the premiere of Love, Calm Down, the new song from the Toronto duo of Phoenix Pagliacci and Truss. – Richard Trapunski, NOW
"Our minds were blown by the tones": Carter & the Capitals bring the funk on debut disc
They only intended a quick recording trip out in Vancouver, but little did Carter & the Capitals know that they would find the perfect place to record their debut album. – Tom Murray, Edmonton Journal
All You Need to Know About: Carrie Underwood in Vancouver
Not only is Carrie Underwood the most successful American Idol winner ever—and yes, that means she has outsold even Kelly Clarkson—but she is also one of the most popular female solo artists in country-music history. – Georgia Straight
New copyright report wants to bring CanCon regs to streaming
It’s a bit of an oversimplification, but new copyright policy in Canada wants to make sure streaming platforms are adequately representing – and paying for – Canadian content. – Amber Healy, A Journal of Musical Things
Review: Pile are gloriously unpredictable on Green And Gray
The Nashville-via-Boston band has released more than a half-dozen albums, but it feels like they're just hitting their stride. – Michael Rancic, NOW
International
An introduction to ‘hard drum’, the sound shaking up London’s club scene
Get hooked on the syncopated rhythms of a burgeoning micro-scene that’s pricked the ears of Skream, Objekt, and Laurel Halo. – Sam Davies, Dazed
How to play Hi-Res Audio on your iPhone or iPad
Musicians and other creative types often use Macs, and the iPod was a major step for portable music. Nowadays, the iPhone carries that torch. While building and maintaining a hi-res music collection on your computer is fairly easy, playing it back on your iPhone or iPad isn’t as easy as it could be. – Kris Wouk, MakeUseOf.com
'Whitney Houston made me a million': How the staggering success of The Bodyguard soundtrack saved the career of songwriter Nick Lowe
When the English songwriter Nick Lowe demanded to know (What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? in the mid-Seventies he had no inkling that it was, quite literally, a million-dollar question. – Adrian Deevoy, Daily Mail
Two years after his death, Gregg Allman has new gravestone, possible road naming
A gravestone engraved with lyrics from “Melissa,” the Allman Brothers Band’s sumptuous 1972 ballad, was installed earlier this year at Allman’s burial site in Macon. Now there is a local effort to recognize Allman, Butch Trucks, Dickey Betts and Jaimoe Johanson with a series of named roads near the Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House. – Melissa Ruggieri, AJC
Russia’s youth found rap. The Kremlin is worried
On a recent Friday night, the rapper Big Baby Tape rushed onstage at a packed club in this ancient town near Moscow to launch a 32-date tour. Only a few years ago, his rise would not have been possible in Russia, where the pop music industry is heavily guarded by cultural officials loyal to the Kremlin. – Ivan Nechepurenko, NY Times
Ranked! The 21st century’s best (and worst) songs of the summer
It happens every summer: One song, among an infinite jukebox of contenders, rises to define the season, as heard over and over and over again at America’s theme parks and pool parties, skate nights and barbecues. allow us to present the definitive 2000s summer songs power rankings. – Mikael Wood, LA Times
How San Francisco broke America’s heart
The city has become less eccentric, less of a home to artists and musicians, because they can’t afford studios or practice spaces — if they can find them. How will the city create its next Grateful Dead or generation of beat writers? – Karen Heller, Washington Post
After 15 years, The Pirate Bay still can't be killed
The internet continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, but one thing always remains constant — rogue site The Pirate Bay. – Mel magazine
Dido concert review – featherlight hitmaker cranks up the turmoil
The singer cuts through the heavy emotional weather of her new songs with the crystalline tone that characterised her breakthrough hits. – Graeme Virtue, Guardian
Festival pulls the plug on Neil Young; he keeps playing anyway
Rock icon's fans help finish "Rockin' In The Free World" after power is cut at BottleRock Napa Valley fest on the weekend. – Ed Mazza, Huff Post
Why the music industry is betting on biopics and documentaries for its next revenue burst
During the next year, some 11 biopics, biodocs -- as in documentaries -- and high-concept films about music artists and fabled eras of industry history are set to debut at theaters and on TV and streaming services, with at least another 14 screening that are at film festivals, looking for distributors or are in production or development. – Claudia Rosenbaum, Billboard
How ByteDance may just be about to drive the next streaming paradigm
TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is reported to be prepping a streaming service. TikTok has more than 30% penetration among 16-19 year-olds and is the heir apparent to Musically, which Byte Dance acquired and then shutterered. – Music Industry Blog
