Music Biz Headlines, Nov. 23, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Jessica Mitchell on why she chose country music

The up-and-coming Toronto-based singer/songwriter gravitated to the genre late, but finding it was like unlocking a part of herself. – Rachna Raj Kaur, NOW

'Music fans deserve to know': Danny Michel opens up about the terrifying reality of being a musician in 2018

It's no secret that being a musician in the age of streaming can be difficult, but very few musicians actually break down just how hard it can be to make a living. That's why the acclaimed singer-songwriter Danny Michel took to Facebook to open up about some of the finances and math behind his income. – CBC Music

Pusha T's Toronto concert shut down after onstage brawl

We were in the crowd when chaos broke out at the rapper’s Danforth Music Hall show after people threw drinks – and then punches. Here's what happened. –  Sumiko Wilson, NOW

Please, Drake, keep your feuds out of our city

Re Drake's beef with Pusha T. The last thing Toronto needs right now is a rap feud. Well, maybe not the last thing. The last thing we need is more homicide, unaffordable housing and construction delays. –  Vinay Menon, Toronto Star

Sara Davis Buechner’s music magic 

Following years of hardships, the acclaimed pianist visits Halifax for an extraordinary recital.  – Brandon Young, The Coast

Album of the week: A Grand Facade

The album from Old Man Canyon sounds like the work of someone who sprinkles acid tabs on his cornflakes while spinning everything ever recorded by the Three O’Clock, Tame Impala, and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight

Elton John can’t stop gushing about Toronto band the Beaches

Sir Elton himself got on board the Beaches train last June when he enthusiastically opened his Rocket Hour show on Apple Music with the ladies’ swaggering track “T-Shirt,” and he has stayed on the Beaches train ever since. – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

Incoming artistic director of Calgary Opera, Bramwell Tovey, says opera about 'now, the kind of world we're living in'

The British-born conductor and composer’s involvement with Calgary Opera dates back to 1994 when he conducted Mozart’s The Magic Flute under then general director David Speers. –  Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald

Dream Serenade celebrates five years of community and generosity

Here's how the annual Toronto benefit to support children with developmental and physical disabilities and their caregivers has grown every year. –  Richard Trapunski, NOW

Relaxing to records – in class

Veteran Maritime music scribe Bob Mersereau is bringing his experience to the University of New Brunswick’s College of Extended Learning.  – Caitlin Dutt, The Aquinian

What is it about live music? Just this: It’s magic.

The magic moment for Pat Deacon is when the room is full of people, and the musicians start to sing. She signs up again and again to host performers on a Home Routes circuit.  –  Louise Sproule, The Review

International

Tencent Music IPO could be pushed back to 2019

Earlier reports suggested that Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) was preparing to go public in the United States in mid-October with an estimated valuation of $30bn. It looks likely that the flotation in the US might be delayed into next year. –  MBW

UK initiative launches Europe-wide manifesto for gender equality in music

The four-step programme will be presented at the European Parliament in Brussels.  – Alex Green, The Independent

Festivals can create equality, says founder of Europe’s largest club event

Alex Schulz, the founder and director of Hamburg’s four-day Reeperbahn Festival,has called on festivals to book more women to change the perception of top-level industry bosses. – Alex Green, The Independent

European music societies slam YouTube’s ‘fact-free fear-mongering’

YouTube has long been considered by many to be the big bad wolf of the music industry, largely because of the comparatively low royalties it pays on music streamed on its free platform, and because of the “safe harbor” laws that exempt it from policing unlicensed music on its site. –  Jem Aswad, Variety

 How the Federal Government can help the music industry grow

There were hundreds of ideas discussed at a recent parliamentary meeting in Australia.  –  Christie Eliezer, The Beat

Talent and touring

How Taylor Swift could get her first six albums back - and push label prices to new heights (Analysis)

Now that Taylor Swift has signed a contract to release future albums through Universal Music Group, can UMG close a second deal to buy Big Machine Label Group, which owns Swift's back catalog?  – Ed Christman, Billboard

Spinal Tap to reunite and perform for 35th anniversary screening at Tribeca Film Festival

The loudest band in England is getting back together for an anniversary screening of their film “This Is Spinal Tap” and will also perform following the screening. –  Brian Welk, The Wrap

How John Legend found his voice

To add to chart-topping ballads, Oscar-winning anthems, Emmy-winning broadcasts, Tony-winning revivals and a holiday album, the singer-songwriter has emerged as a force for social justice.  – Alan Light, WSJ

Mumford & Sons review – ambitious tour sets sail on a sea of mediocrity

On a stage in Glasgow that resembles a futuristic pirate ship, the folk-rockers try to be epic and intimate – but their new material sends them adrift.  – Michael Jack, The Guardian

Cat Stevens to donate over $1 million to charities

The singer is gifting the huge sum from proceeds from his ‘A Cat’s Attic – Peace Train Tour,’ with a number of Australian charities becoming beneficiaries.  – Paul Cashmere, Noise11.com

Tantalising secrets of The Beatles buried in the White Album

Fifty years after its release, fascinating trivia reveals how Ringo didn't drum, and how several songs were inspired by monkeys, Mia Farrow, and an old English sheepdog. –  Daily Mail