Music Biz Headlines, Sept. 27, 2019
Mavis Staples (pictured) is a serious draw at POP Montreal, SESAC has completed a major refinancing, and Latin music is set for another historic year in the US. Others in the headlines include Dwayne Gretzky, Rob Stringer, Jay & Jo, Dolby Atmos, Nick Cave, the Beatles, and Harry Nilsson.
By Kerry Doole
POP Montreal turns 18, but the irreverent music fest will never grow up
Even at the age of majority, POP continues to fight for underdogs of music. The 18th edition runs from Sept. 25 to 29 and is headlined by the likes of Laurie Anderson and Mavis Staples. – T'cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Toronto concerts in fall 2019: our 15 most anticipated
From masked country crooners to gigantic raves, psych-rock to brass band poetry, here's what we're most looking forward to this season. – Staff, NOW
Jay & Jo making music — and a name — outside the Trudel Family
Jay & Jo — real names Janaya and Jolissa Trudel — are one of the best folk groups in the province. Their second album comes out in 2020. – Matt Olson, Star-Phoenix
Review: Dwayne Gretzky struggle to translate their live appeal to record
The popular Toronto cover band have dropped their debut album, reinterpreting songs rather than playing them straight like they do in concert – but the new versions often fall flat. – Richard Trapunski, NOW
International
Investors flood $530M SESAC capital restructuring
Privately owned performing rights organization SESAC has completed a major refinancing of its capital structure, reports Billboard, selling $530 million in bonds and obtaining a $30 million revolving credit line. In the latest sign of strong investor interest in music rights, the SESAC offering was oversubscribed to the tune of $1.5 billion. – Hypebot
What’s Rob Stringer’s biggest challenge as leader of Sony Music Group (and Sony Music Entertainment)? Well, it ain’t profit margin
He made that abundantly clear at Goldman Sachs’ Communacopia conference in New York last Thursday (September 19), where he said: “At Sony, margin is really important and our margin [at Sony Music] is excellent. Are we perfect? Of course not, we have other areas to improve — but the margin is not an issue.” – Tim Ingham, MBW
Latin music will generate close to $500m from streaming in the US this year – but it's losing (a bit of) market share
Latin music is set for another historic year in the US music industry, as the genre once again proves its popularity on streaming services. According to fresh stats from the RIAA, Latin music turned over $231.9m in the US in the first six months of this year, of which 95% was from streaming – which contributed $220.4m, or around $1.2m per day. – Tim Ingham, MBW
Dolby Atmos Music will make its streaming debut on Amazon Music HD
Dolby Labs has been teasing us with Dolby Atmos Music for years. Dolby has now confirmed it partnered with Amazon to bring Atmos Music tracks to the company’s recently launched Amazon Music HD streaming service, markng the first time we’ll be able to stream Atmos Music online. –Simon Cohen, Digital Trends
New Gen jazz artists on their top Miles Davis moments
'Rubberband' has finally been released after more than three decades. Recorded with producers Randy Hall and Zane Giles, it was also an attempt to push the boundaries of jazz even further – folding in more funk and soul sounds. – Emma Finamore, Clash
The Beatles' singles – ranked!
As Abbey Road turns 50, we rate the Fab Four’s 22 UK singles, which dominated the charts in the 1960s – and changed pop for ever. – Alexis Petridis, The Guardian
Concert review: ‘Conversations With Nick Cave’ is part Q&A, part music, part group therapy
At around the one-hour mark of “Conversations With Nick Cave,” a long evening of songs and Q&A with audience members at New York’s Town Hall, someone asked The Question — the one that he’s probably answered many times but still hovers over every date of this unusual tour. Why is he doing this? – Jem Aswad, Variety
Judy: Renee Zellweger's incandescent Garland reduces the rest of the cast to mere bystanders
Parts of the plot are A-to-B, a lot is unsubtle and a climactic scene involving her most famous song is pure-Hollywood schmaltz. But the worst of Judy is worth the price of admission for the one bravura performance. – Jim Slotek original-cin
Pop genius Harry Nilsson left an unreleased record behind. Now you can finally hear the completed version.
“Losst and Founnd” is not Harry Nilsson’s greatest work, but it’s a fitting coda for one of music’s most original characters. – Geoff Edgers, Washington Post
Pink Martini’s musical party turns 25 in style in Toronto
It’s not every night that an audience of teens, parents and grandparents can kick up its heels together in a conga line around the mezzanine at Roy Thomson Hall. And even though Torontonians love to celebrate the city’s multiculturalism, how often do we get to hear Korean, Italian, Spanish, German, French, Mandarin and English from the same stage at the same concert? – John Terauds, Toronto Star
Cream's Ginger Baker "critically ill" in hospital
The famed drummer's health has been the subject of speculation. Now his family have issued a short statement on social media, explaining that he is "critically ill" in hospital. – Clash
One of the most fascinating artists of our times, Lana Del Rey achieves patron saint status with Norman Fucking Rockwell!
As patron saints go, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect one for our endlessly troubled times. And the inspirational beauty of Lana Del Rey is that she’s living proof that sometimes there’s a swimming pool of gold at the end of your tar-black rainbow. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Steven Van Zandt cancels most of his fall tour due to health issues
Steven Van Zandt has pulled the plug on all but two dates on his current fall tour, due to illness. He has been touring with his band, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, but has been plagued by sinusitis. – Ian Courtney, CelebrityAccess
Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’ is having a moment on streaming
The funk classic saw a spike in sales and streams on September 21st. – Emily Blake, Rolling Stone
Beyoncé shades wedding planner in 'Blue Ivy' legal battle
Beyoncé is laying down the law in the battle with a wedding planner over “Blue Ivy”, calling her daughter a “cultural icon” in court documents. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Beyoncé is firing back at the Veronica Morales over in the trademark battle for “Blue Ivy”. – Ryan Naumann, The Blast
Fiona Apple is still calling bullshit
The singer spends most of her time at home, working on a new album. That doesn’t mean she’s not paying attention, as shown in this rare interview. – Rachel Handler, Vulture
