Music Biz Headlines, Oct. 18, 2019

By FYI Staff

Joni Mitchell discusses her new book of early songs and drawings

Joni Mitchell, in the foreword to “Morning Glory on the Vine,” her new book of lyrics and illustrations, explains that, in the early nineteen-seventies, just as her fervent and cavernous folk songs were finding a wide audience, she was growing less interested in making music than in drawing. – Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker

Joni Mitchell makes rare public appearance at Brandi Carlile ‘Blue’ tribute

All the stars, quickly transformed into fanboys and -girls as they stood with the rest of the audience in appreciation and deference to the evening’s honoree when she entered the hall just before Carlile and her band took the stage for the program she titled Songs Are Like Tattoos. – Randy Lewis, LA Times

'Cooking Beats' with Hagler highlights the IMSTA FESTA one-day music tech event

SOCAN presented the panel with multi-platinum artist/beat-maker/producer Hagler (Drake) at the recent Toronto conference. – Howard Druckman, Words & Music

To hell and back with Measha Brueggergosman

The acclaimed Canadian vocalist helps Bravo Niagara! launch the new season. – John Law, The Niagara Falls Review

Behind the setlist with Adam Baldwin

Dartmouth's king of Americana says it's a matter of making sure your concert has a beginning, middle and end—and lots of three-chord bar rock. – Morgan Mullin, The Coast

Justin Bieber sued for publishing his photo

Photographer Robert Barbera filed a lawsuit against the singer for copyright infringement over a picture Bieber posted on Instagram. Barbera clams the photograph is owned and registered by him.– eOnline

How Toronto's New Chance linked up with Jamaican reggae legend Willi Williams

The local experimental electronic musician is teaming with the Armigideon Time singer for the Music Gallery's X Avant festival – and a collaboration that will stretch into the future. – Jesse Locke, NOW

Lawsuit alleging Inside Out ripped off an earlier film allowed to proceed in Ontario

A judge in Ontario has given the go-ahead to a man's lawsuit alleging Disney's Inside Out copied a student film with the same title. – Aila Slisco, Newsweek

Moondance owner Mike Taveroff has passed away from cancer

The long-time owner of Canada's oldest independent record store in downtown Peterborough had retired in April 2018 after closing the store.  – KawarthaNOW 

Musician's book details battle with neurological disease

Thomas Wade, a seven-time Canadian Country Music Award winner and three-time Juno nominee, will launch his book, Singing In My Sleep, on Oct. 27 at the Burford Public Library. The Burford native enjoyed a successful music career with the band Thomas Wade and Wayward until he was struck, in 2001, with a neurological disease called oromandibular dystonia that robbed him of his voice and ability to speak clearly.– Brian Thompson Brantford Expositor

Shovels & Rope get ambitious on By Blood, a record miles from the duo's Americana beginnings

The greatness of Shovels & Rope’s ambitious By Blood is in the way that it’s challenged not only the band’s long-time fans but also the couple responsible for bringing the songs to life. –  MikeUsinger, Georgia Straight

International

Merck Mercuriadis' Hipgnosis raises another US $295m

Hipgnosis Songs Fund, one of the most aggressive acquisitive parties in the modern music business, has just raised another £231m (US$295m). The UK-based company, run by Merck Mercuriadis, raised the cash "by way of the Initial Placing, Offer for Subscription and Intermediaries Offer of C Shares". – Tim Ingham, MBW

You’ll soon be able to stream songs in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format

The immersive audio format, which will compete with Dolby’s Atmos Music, will soon be added to Tidal, Amazon Music HD, Deezer, and Nugs.net through an initial release of about 1,000 tracks. – Simon Cohen

Vivendi: After a Tencent bid, others express interest in buying Universal Music Group stake

The biggest music industry story of the year is edging closer to a conclusion. – Tim Ingham, MBW

Ben Cook leaves Atlantic Records UK after 12 years

Ben Cook is leaving his role as President of Atlantic Records UK. In a statement, he refers to "a terrible mistake" he made at a party as a factor in his departure. – Tim Ingham  MBW

UK Atlantic Records boss resigns over Run-DMC fancy dress

Ben Cook says he wanted to honour a musical hero but he is sorry costume was offensive. – Lanre Bakare, Guardian

Of course Amazon is putting on a music festival

Intersect — featuring Foo Fighters, Kacey Musgraves, Beck and Anderson Paak alongside a “post-apocalyptic dodgeball stadium” — is not as random a venture as it seems. – Amy X Wang, Rolling Stone 

NMPA calls for 'scrutiny' of TikTok

The National Music Publishers’ Association has called for the “scrutiny” of TikTok, writing that the video-sharing platform has “consistently violated US copyright law and the rights of songwriters and music publishers”. – Murray Stassen, MBW 

Me by Elton John review – hilariously self-lacerating

A memoir that is racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes – what more could you ask from the rocket man? – Hadley Freeman, Guardian

How The Price is Right theme composer lost millions in royalties

Edd Kalehoff estimates his theme has earned $40 to $50 million for other people. – Genius

How Renee Zellweger built up her voice for 'Judy' biopic

Renée Zellweger can sing -- but for her role as the late Judy Garland in new biopic Judy, she worked hard not to sing well too. The Garland Zellweger portrays requires her to show the singer's brilliance and talent, but to fail, too. – Karen Bliss, Billboard

Tale of two music cities – Kingston

While counterparts such as Bogota and Amsterdam have been similarly designated as Creative Cities of Music, and have capitalised on the designation, boosting their music tourism, four years on, Jamaica’s capital appears to be suffering from inertia. – The Gleaner