Music Biz Headlines, Oct. 1, 2018
A new film depicts funk star Betty Davis (pictured), John Lydon mouths off, and how Robyn helped transform pop. Also in the headlines are Tupac Shakur, Leonard Cohen, Sting, Yungblud, Birdie Whyte, Tim Williams, Ultra fest, Toronto dance music, Rod Stewart, Queer Songbook Orchestra, Arcade Fire, Giles Martin, and Mavis Staples.
By Kerry Doole
Q&A: Betty Davis looks back at her fiery funk legacy
A rare interview with the 70s legend, who's back in the spotlight with a new documentary about her uncompromising and influential career. – Del F. Cowie, NOW
Afternoon Beers With a Former Sex Pistol
John Lydon, the 62-year-old punk legend, was in New York for a new documentary about Public Image Ltd. But first, he wanted to shop and smoke in a bar. – Alex Williams, New York Times
How Robyn transformed pop
After almost a decade away, Robyn is about to release a new album. Laura Snapes examines her seismic cultural impact. – The Guardian
Tupac Shakur's estate wins five-year legal battle for unreleased music said to be worth a fortune
Entertainment One will pay the estate for royalties that were never paid. The biggest win for the estate, though, is the return of unreleased master recordings made by Shakur before his death in September 1996. – Brian Gallagher, Daily Mail
Romance and regrets: The last poems of Leonard Cohen
Almost two years after the musician and poet’s death, Adam Cohen explains how his father’s efforts to finish his last collection The Flame ‘bought him some time on Earth. – Scott Timberg, The Guardian
Sting gives Toronto a taste of The Last Ship
The former Police frontman has long been at the stage of his career where he can pretty much do whatever he wants, and two recent projects are perfect examples. The Last Ship, coming to town early next year, is a musical he wrote and created the music for about his hometown of Newcastle. – Raju Mudhar, Toronto star
Birdie Whyte, one-time wonder
The Ottawa folk singer winds through the Maritimes picking up bands for single shows at a time. – Jonathan Briggins, The Coast
Yungblud connects with a new generation
Proving he knows not only who his fans are, but, more importantly, what he means to them, Dominic Harrison made sure his first-ever gig in America was as inclusive as it was memorable for all involved. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Tim Williams, aka ‘Trivago Guy,’ Returns to His Texas Roots on Debut Country Album
The name might not be familiar in country music circles—yet—but millions know his face and are already fans of the handsome, affable singer/actor they know from TV commercials as the Trivago Guy. “Music has become my passion,” Williams says." – Deborah Price, Sounds Like Nashville
City of Miami Rejects Ultra Music Festival Returning for 2019
After 18 years at the same location, the fest is going to have to find a new home. Council members have been fighting for quite some time to get Ultra moved and cancelled. One of the Commissioners argued on behalf of the residents. – Kelsey James, River Beats
An ode to Toronto dance parties of the 00s
The return of party pioneer Mike Wallace with his Dreamshatterer project recalls a vibrant DIY era of the recent past. – Nick Flanagan, NOW
Rod Stewart on his new album, non-existent retirement plans and getting banned by BBC Radio
The album also includes three covers, including the heartbreaking “Grace,” the true story of childhood sweethearts who were ripped apart when the man was sentenced to death during Ireland’s uprising against the English in 1916. – Melinda Newman, Billboard
Queer Songbook Orchestra’s Regina debut a homecoming for artistic director Shaun Brodie
Growing up in Regina in the 1980s and early ‘90s, music was an escape for Brodie, who “was very deeply in the closet.” – Ashley Martin, Regina Leader-Post
The passion of Pauline Julien – and the fading dream of sovereignty for Quebec
Pauline Julien, Intimate and Political is director Pascale Ferland’s documentary ode to a key figure in the flowering of popular chanson in Quebec during the 1950s and 60s. The NFB film’s account of Ms. Julien’s political passions captures the sovereigntist ferment of decades ago, so different from the movement’s feeble state today. – Robert Everett-Green, Globe and Mail
Arcade Fire play Funeral in full
The surprise L.A. setlist at a recent show marked their 2004 debut’s first full performance. – Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork
Beatles reissue producer Giles Martin: “Paul and Ringo have to be happy”
The son of original Beatles producer George describes the process of remixing ‘The White Album’ for its 50th-anniversary reissue. – Paul Sexton, udiscovermusic
How Harry Styles' break from party scene inspired "Happy Together" premise
Tim McAuliffe describes "Happy Together" as about "two thirty-somethings from the suburbs who welcome a pop idol under their roof."– Bill Brioux, The Canadian Press
Mavis Staples is a legend who endures
A founder member of the Staple Singers with her family, she helped provide the soundtrack to the American civil rights movement of the ‘60s. Her soulful voice can wrap itself around any gospel, R&B, folk, pop, or blues song with disarming warmth and grace. – Tony Montague, Georgia Straight
A sound to emulate: Local musicians reflect on Paul McCartney's influential career
There are few musicians who can claim the kind of rollercoaster career that Paul McCartney has had. We asked Lyra Brown, Wilf Kozub, and three other local musicians to talk about their love for the bass-playing legend on the eve of Macca's concert at Rogers Place. – Tom Murray, Edmonton Journal
