Music Biz Headlines: New Joni Mitchell Biography, More Canadian Festival Lineups
Also this week: vinyl bootleggers, The Apollo Theater's star-studded anniversary, Cadence Weapon's Hockey song and more.
Joni Mitchell
New Joni Mitchell Biography Follows the Canadian Icon as a Cultural Influencer
The new book from the author and National Public Radio music critic Ann Powers is Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell, an essayistic examination of the Canadian singer-songwriter’s life and musical evolution. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Edmonton's Summer 2024 Festival Guide: Explore Dozens of Fests in and Around Town
There have never been this many festivals around Edmonton — it’s staggering, honestly, and competition is mighty fierce for our shrivelling dollar. –Edmonton Journal
Elisapie Is On a Canada Post Stamp for National Indigenous Peoples Day
The stamp bearing the Polaris Prize-longlisted artist's image will be available starting June 21. – Amélie Revert, Billboard Canada
In the Canadian Hockey Song World, this Edmonton Oilers Rap Sticks Out
“We do it for the love, not the fame or the cars – repping Edmo.” Edmonton-born rapper Rollie Pemberton, who records music under the professional moniker Cadence Weapon, has released an updated version of his 2017 ode to the hometown Oilers. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
50 Cent Brings new Eyes to B.C. Lions — Can the Team Create Return Business With It?
Team owner Amar Doman has pulled out all stops to give the team a stage, with Saturday's game expected to draw over 51,000 fans. – Steve Ewen, Vancouver Province
Canadian Opera Company General Director Perryn Leech Resigns Three Years Into His Tenure
Former board chair David Ferguson is stepping into the role on an interim basis effective immediately. The opera company said on its website that the decision came by “mutual agreement,” but provided no further details. – Kate Taylor, Globe and Mail
Gig for Gaza Raising Awareness and Funds for Palestinian Charities
Gig for Gaza will be held at Hlifax's Marquee Ballroom on June 20 and features several well-known Nova Scotia musicians, including Jenn Grant, Ria Mae, Mama’s Broke, and Jah’Mila among others. – Brendyn Creamer, The Coast
Burlington’s 2024 Concerts in the Park Provides Diverse Summer of Music
Sunday and Wednesday night concerts start June 16, run to Aug. 25. Jazz artists feature prominently. –Hamilton Spectator
Free Live Jazz is Coming Back to Vancouver's Coal Harbour Park
In partnership with Part of the Tribe Collective, Jazz in Coal Harbour Park has been confirmed for three consecutive Thursdays beginning July 25. Just bring yourself, a blanket, and someone to cozy up with. – Vicki Duong, Georgia Straight
Up Close and Personal at the Brott Music Festival
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be in an orchestra, here’s your opportunity to find out. Tania Miller will open the 37th annual Brott Music Festival with works by Beethoven and Mozart on June 20. Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator
International
How Sony’s $6bn+ M&A splurge Has Set the Pace For Music Acquisitions Over the Past Decade
If Bloomberg is to be believed, Sony Music Group is currently in discussions with Queen’s representatives over a potential acquisition of the legendary band’s catalog, which could cost, depending on the number of rights included, USD $1 billion. – Music Business Worldwide
Why Top Artists Stick With Major Labels
The biggest stars in the world, like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, have all the leverage to go independent, but they continue to work with the major labels. A big reason why is that they sign licensing deals. – Dan Runcie, Trapital
Democrat and Republican Lawmakers Unite to Question Spotify Bundle Move
The three politicians claim it ‘sharply reduces royalty payments for songwriters.’ – Music Business Worldwide
Google Loses Bid to End U.S. Antitrust Case over Digital Advertising
Alphabet Inc.’s Google must face trial on U.S. antitrust enforcers’ claim that the internet-search juggernaut illegally dominates the online-advertising-technology market, a federal judge ruled on Friday. – Jody Godoy, Reuters
From Topping the 90s Charts to ‘Very Controlled and Predictable’ Today: Is the Remix Dead?
The likes of Fatboy Slim and Armand van Helden remixed original tracks into mutant dancefloor beasts, but thanks to streaming and risk-averse labels, this artform is threatened. – The Guardian
The Apollo Theater Celebrates 90th Anniversary at Star-Studded Spring Benefit with Usher, Babyface
The Apollo Theater, a bastion of Black music and culture and one of New York City’s most storied venues, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.– Maria Sherman, Associated Press
Robert Kyncl Turns up Heat on PRO Metadata Matching
Each year, hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties globally are not paid to the correct rightsholders due to incomplete or bad data. Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl wants the industry to solve the problem and has some suggestions for how to do so. – Music Business Worldwide
Vinyl Came Back From the Dead – and So Did the Bootleggers
A look inside the booming business of knock-off records: As LP sales boom in the U.K., so has the illegal trade in poor-quality fakes. But the record detectives are fighting back. – John Harris, The Guardian
How Do I Enjoy the Sometimes-Vulgar Music I Loved Growing Up With My Child?
In 1992, I listened to The Chronic, Dr. Dre’s seminal hip-hop album – which heavily features Snoop – more than I looked at my textbooks. But I was 18. Is a 10-year-old the right audience for a Snoop show? – Ben Kaplan, Globe & Mail
