Music Biz Headlines, Nov. 5, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Nocturnal Cities brings something new to Nova Scotia Music Week 

Music Nova Scotia wants to grow the nighttime economy, starting this past weekend in Truro. The forum focused on "what happens after dark in a city," as MNS's executive director Scott Long puts it. –  Tara Thorne, The Coast

William Shatner continues his musical mission, despite not being able to really sing

When it comes to talking about his new album, William Shatner is like a kid on Christmas morning. “I’m scared, I’m frightened, by how good I think the album is,” says the 87-year-old TV legend.  –  Bill Brioux, CP

Navigating the new music model: It's all about nostalgia, man

Montreal's indie rockers are navigating the new economy by revisiting earlier work through reissues, anniversary shows and crossed fingers. –  Montreal Gazette

Local hero: Mel Boogie's 25 years of DJing and championing women

The Toronto  DJ, radio host, promoter and music industry mentor always wants to make a positive impact, no matter how she does it. –   Del F. Cowie, NOW

In conversation with Barbra Streisand: ‘Rage is a motivator’

In a rare interview, the artist talks about raising better boys, the politics that informed her new album ‘Walls’, and how she inspired Pierre Trudeau. –   Elio Iannacci, Maclean's

Nile Rodgers talks disco, David Bowie and the first Chic album in 26 years

Nile Rodgers might just be the coolest man on the planet. He recently touched down in Toronto to talk about the new Chic album It’s About Time, which includes 10 upbeat tunes featuring collaborations with artists from Elton John to Lady Gaga. –  Mike Crisolago, Everything Zoomer 

Making sense of the Canadian digital tax debate, Part 6

Our series on digital tax issues concludes with the most conventional issue: how to ensure that large corporations pay their fair share of income tax for profits generated in Canada. The income tax issue was raised by the NDP earlier this year, who called on the government to ensure that Internet companies pay taxes on profits made in Canada. –  Michael Geist

International

Exploring the culture of jazz through music and more

Robert O’Meally is an internationally recognized scholar of jazz and founder of Columbia’s Center for Jazz Studies. He is known in particular for reaching across disciplines to interpret the place of jazz in American culture. –  Wendi Maloney, Medium

How hip-hop learned to pose for the camera

Vikki Tobak’s new book, “Contact High,” is a wondrous tribute to the way hip-hop overturned not just the sound of culture but also ways of seeing. –  Hua Hsu, New Yorker

Two injured in stabbing at Sony Music office in London

The police were called at 11 am London time to the incident, and the music label’s office was evacuated. The authorities said that no firearms were involved and it is not being treated as a terror-related incident. –  Jem Aswad, Variety

MBW is launching Music Business UK magazine

This new premium quarterly title is brought to you by the owners of Music Business Worldwide. MBW founder Tim Ingham promises “a sophisticated magazine bursting with quality that everyone wants to read." The first issue comes out mid-November. –  Gadget Girl

Will time ever be up for abusive men in hip-hop?

Throughout this past year of holding men in entertainment to task, the music industry has largely continued to overlook abuse allegations within its most popular genre, exhibiting a troubling lack of accountability. –  Sylvia Obell, Buzzfeed

A look at Oh Carolina, a seminal Jamaican song.

In 1959, it was the first tune that moved away from the then current trend of imitating the American Rhythm and Blues, and into the area of Rastafarianism. That aside, the recording has been cited by many as having a profound influence on the development of reggae.  The Gleaner

Talent and touring

Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason to play pre-‘Dark Side of the Moon’ songs on North American tour

Mason's Saucerful of Secrets is crossing the Atlantic early next year for their first North American tour. The tour begins March 12 in Vancouver, BC and wraps up April 22 in Washington, D.C. Bandmates David Gilmour and Roger Waters have given approvals.  –  Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

Bluesman Chris Thomas King says he’s been banned by the Grammys

Grammy-winning blues musician King has penned an open letter in response to what he says is essentially a complete erasure of his name from contention at the 2019 Awards. He was told he wasn't a blues artist. –   Amanda Mester, Offbeat

Joni Mitchell is turning 75, but her influence on music is timeless

Famous musicians from Graham Nash to Seal help the first lady of folk celebrate a milestone in Los Angeles.  –  Chris Martins, LA Mag

‘Everybody is looking at us right now’: meet the young British pop stars reclaiming the charts

Mabel, Not3s, Kojo Funds, B Young, Amelia Monet and Steel Banglez are part of a new generation of artists who are transforming the music industry. They tell the story behind their meteoric rise.  –  Yomi Adegoke, The Guardian

Reclining album sales? Why pop stars are making sofas not songs

From Louise Redknapp’s footstools to Kylie’s Atmosphere Duvet, an increasing number of musicians are turning to home furnishings. –  Michael Cragg, The Guardian

Bob Dylan’s first day with “Tangled Up in Blue”

The New York sessions for Bob Dylan’s 1975 album, “Blood on the Tracks,” have always been ground zero for Dylan’s reputation as a cipher and a curmudgeon in the recording studio, intent on speeding through the proceedings and capturing lightning in a bottle, quality control be damned. –  Jeff Slate, New Yorker

Family of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell sues California doctor over his death

Cornell’s widow, Vicky Cornell, and their children, Toni and Christopher, are plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging that prescription drugs, especially the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam, led to erratic behaviour from the Soundgarden frontman before his death in Detroit in 2017 at age 52.  –  AP

Fact-checking the Queen biopic, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

Contrary to claims in the movie, the group didn’t break up before Live Aid, John Deacon wasn’t the original bassist, and they never battled an executive named Ray Foster.  –  Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

MTV EMAs 2018: Camila Cabello looks overjoyed as she beats Ariana Grande

The singer scoops an impressive four gongs... and gives shout out to her 'wife' rival.  –  Daily Mail