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FYI

Music Biz Headlines, March 5, 2018

Names in the news today include Spotify, Diana Panton, Charlie Watts, Rich Aucoin, Tory Lanez, the CMA, British jazz, Johnson Crook, Hedley, Kim Deal, Memphis music, Born Ruffians, and Lila Downs.

Music Biz Headlines, March 5, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Classical music has always enabled bad behaviour. It’s time for that to change

We need great musicians and conductors — yet we also need them to respect human dignity – John Terauds, Toronto Star


Is Spotify worth $20B?

The music service will soon have its IPO and investors think it can be as big as Netflix. Are they right? –   Alex Hern, The Guardian

A salute to women who rock

I have been in awe of many amazing females who rock (and, admittedly, I have had crushes on many of them). I have always had great interviews with my favourite females who can wield a guitar and/or rock just as hard as the guys  – Bill Welychka, thewhig.com

 "I'm more confident in being in the moment" — The Diana Panton interview

The Hamilton-based, Juno-winning vocalist performed Saturday night in the National Arts Centre's Azraeli Studio in Ottawa –  Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen

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Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts reveals the secret to his long marriage

Married to wife Shirley Ann Shephard for 54 years, the couple stayed together even when the band was on tour and the other members were partying hard  –  Lisa Bowman, NME

Rich Aucoin took the Drake on a cinematic odyssey through his mind

The Halifax musician's early release show for his new Hold EP was a vast and holistic presentation of his YOLO message –  Ian Gormely, NOW

Tory Lanez: Memories Don't Die review – a gutless rap rip-off

Drake’s no-longer nemesis presents no semblance of originality this astonishingly hackneyed, aggressively chameleonic LP –  Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian

Mike Huckabee resigns from Country Music Association Board as Nashville firestorm ignites

“Basically, every gay man in town is furious,” says one manager of the former Arkansas governor's short tenure with the CMAs' educational wing  –  Chris Willman, Variety

Jazz's new British invasion

In America, jazz is buzzier than it's been in years. But will the music's next breakout stars come from overseas?  –  Piotr Orlov, Rolling Stone

Johnson Crook has a natural authenticity

Though formed in Toronto, rising roots-rock quartet Johnson Crook's members originate from small towns across North America, lending the harmony-laden and musically proficient alt-country of their 2017 debut, "The Album," a genuine feel –  Neil McDonald, Waterloo Region Record

Hedley and fans muddle through Brampton show despite sexual-misconduct allegations

Supporters in half-full arena help frontman Jacob Hoggard rediscover some of his charm, vowing by the end that ‘it won’t be our last time here.’ One fan observes, ‘they’re still playing Chris Brown music. So it’s like, 'why are you hating on my band?’ –  Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

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Kim Deal: "Misogyny is the backbone of the music industry"

The Breeders’ singer and guitarist talks rehab, Pixies and caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s –   Barbara Ellen, The Guardian

Eight new David Bowie records to be released in the coming month

A series of vinyl reissues and rarities are forthcoming, including a demo version of "Let's Dance"; the 1977 promotional LP Bowie Now; and two live releases –  Consequence of Sound

Robert Gordon captures Junior Kimbrough on ‘Memphis Rent Party’

Historian, author, film producer and director, and Memphis resident Robert Gordon has written a book about his journey of discovery as he was befriending various artists of the city. Here's an excerpt –  Barry Kerzner, American Blues Scene

Keeping it in the family

The new album from Born Ruffians reunites original members and pays tribute to their fathers – Vanessa Polojac, The Silhouette

A new compilation shows DIY guitar music is alive and well in Toronto

On Art of the Uncarved Block's new cassette, bands like Triples, Humanities and Low Sun bring pre-internet aesthetics into the urgent, noisy present  –  Mark Streeter, NOW

Lila Downs delivers new sophistication

 “I don’t think we see music as having to do with genre. Rather, we just learn from all the music that’s out there in the world—and that’s very exciting" –   Alex Varty, Georgia Straight

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Papi Jay, rising R&B and kompa musician who works with Maison Kanda
Via Maison Kanda

Papi Jay, rising R&B and kompa musician who works with Maison Kanda

Awards

Quebec's ADISQ Awards is Adding Its First Award for French R&B and Soul

Developed with ADVANCE, the addition marks the first time in its 45-year history that the awards program will officially recognize the genres, and marks a major win for Francophone R&B, soul and gospel artists.

Quebec's ADISQ awards are making a rare major change this year: adding a new prize for Best R&B/Soul album.

The provincial Association of the Record, Show and Video Industry (ADISQ) awards its coveted Félix trophies every year at a series of galas. ADISQ already presents 18 album of the year awards, in categories such as Rock, Folk, Country, Rap, and World Music. This year, the association will present a new award for R&B/Soul album of the year.

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