Music Biz Headlines, Feb.22, 2019
Reid Jamieson (pictured) delivers his finest work yet, AOF rocker George Pettit's other career, and a star-studded new podcast. Also in the headlines are Motley Crue, Jeff Burke, Deerhunter, Joshua Zubot, CSO, Songtradr, Led Zeppelin, Ryan Adams, Soul Train, Stones tix, R. Kelly, Peter Hook, Bananas Music, Chaka Khan, Bryan Ferry, and Richard Thompson.
By Kerry Doole
Alexisonfire rocker George Pettit squeezes in band reunion around his firefighting career
When Alexisonfire announced their breakup eight years ago, lead vocalist George Pettit stood before an opportunity to hit reset on his career. – David Friend, CP
No One Receiving podcast draws a dream team of Toronto artists and musicians
Maggie MacDonald's apocalyptic space comedy features Owen Pallett, Fucked Up's Mike Haliechuk, Laura Barrett and many more. Hear the first clip here. – Richard Trapunski, NOW
Five things to know about Me Daza by Reid Jamieson
Sweet-voiced singer Reid Jamieson has explored everything from the music of Leonard Cohen to vintage rock ‘n’ roll over the course of his recording career. This latest album might be Jamieson’s finest moment. – Stuart Derdeyn, The Province
The Dirt is bound for Netflix, raising questions whether Motley Crue fans will see Bullwinkle jet her jizz
It's a book so captivatingly debauched, you're not alone if the first couple of sentences were instantly and permanently burned into your grey matter: "Her name was Bullwinkle. We called her that because she had a face like a moose." – Mike Usinger Georgia Straight
Toronto overjoyed after TTC busker is reunited with his stolen instrument
Jeff Burke's bassoon is returned, after a crowdfunding campaign to replace it raised $14K. – Blog TO
Interview: Deerhunter's Bradford Cox does not mince words
On why James Blake is not the new Bowie, why you shouldn't ask "Jylie Kenner" about politics and how Deerhunter's new album is like an animated corpse. – Kevin Hegge, NOW
Joshua Zubot finds his place on the West Coast
Violinist Joshua Zubot is making an easy transition into West Coast life, after spending most of his adult existence in the very different climate and culture of Montreal. Granted, he’s still learning the ins and outs of his new locale, but so far he likes what he’s found. – Alex Varty, Georgia Straight
International
Ryan Adams and the perils of the rock-genius myth
The allegations of Ryan Adams’s abuse are a reminder that the music industry must reckon not only with the alpha abusers but also with the enablers who surround them. – Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker
Chicago Symphony musicians vote to authorize a strike on March 10
Discussions have been ongoing for more than 11 months, according to the musicians, who held a press conference in the lobby of Orchestra Hall last week. – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
Songtradr buys music licensing agency Big Sync in multi-million dollar deal
The acquisition was a multi-million dollar cash and equity transaction and resulted in Big Sync’s co-founder, Unilever Ventures, the venture capital arm of Unilever, exiting and becoming a minority shareholder in Songtradr. – Murray Stassen, MBW
People laughed when this Philly lawyer sued Led Zeppelin. Nobody’s laughing now.
Francis Malofiy may be the most hated man in the Philadelphia legal community. He may also be on the cusp of getting the last laugh on rock’s golden gods. – Jonathan Valania, Philly Mag
Things to consider when breaking up your band
First, there’s always going to be financial questions. Then, there’s going to be disagreements and fights, and somebody will be hurt. Then there’s questions about lingering shows, loose ends and how to send the band off right. Well, here’s my experience. – Liam Duncan, Music Industry How To
'An ad for blackness': how Soul Train made America do the Hustle
It was the ultra-hip music show that put black culture centre stage – with the enigmatic Don Cornelius as its impresario. – Dorian Lynskey,The Guardian
Rolling Stones fans frustrated after pre-sale ticket ‘bait-and-switch’
Fans of The Rolling Stones are feeling swindled after trying to buy pre-sale tickets to see the legendary rockers in Canada this year. Ticketmaster and promoter Republic Live admit to errors. –Ticket News
These are the 10 most viewed YouTube videos of all time
YouTube is closing in on its decade and a half birthday and what better way to celebrate the streaming site’s awkward teenage years than by taking a look back at the most viewed YouTube videos of all time? There's only one Canadian here, and it's not Drake. – Jon Martindale Digital Trends
Prosecutors face tough task charging and convicting R. Kelly, even if there’s video evidence
Prosecutors will have to clear a series of high legal hurdles if they intend to charge R. Kelly and convict him, even if there’s video evidence. One case illustrates the difficulties: The R&B star’s own 2008 trial at which he was acquitted. – Michael Tarm, AP
Get your hands on Peter Hook's personal Joy Division and punk memorabilia
Over the years, legendary New Order and Joy Division bassman, Peter “Hooky” Hook has been collecting almost every single piece of memorabilia relating to his long career in music. Now he has decided to auction off all his prized personal collection to raise money for charity. – Dangerous Minds
Bananas Music, the world’s largest collection of vinyl records, houses over three million titles.
Bananas Music (also known as Bananas Records) is an American record store that operates two locations in St. Petersburg, Florida. Opened in 1977, Bananas Music unofficially claims to be the largest record store in the United States, housing over 3 million vinyl records. – Part Time Audio
Roxy Music legend Bryan Ferry has no plans to farewell the touring scene
“Every tour is potentially a farewell tour when you get to a certain age,” Bryan Ferry joked earlier this week after arriving in Perth to kick off an Australian tour at Kings Park on Thursday evening. – Simon Collins, The West Australian
Chaka Khan on artistic freedom, her side hustles and Joni Mitchell
It’s been 12 years since Chaka Khan released a studio album, but “I wasn’t sitting, twiddling my thumbs,” the singer known as the Queen of Funk said recently. – Melena Ryzik, NY Times
Review: Guitarist Richard Thompson schools the crowd — no brags, boasts or egotism necessary
Embodying the voice of the biblical prophet Micah, the Fairport Convention co-founder, who helped introduce British folk-rock to America starting in the late 1960s, warned in his opening song of false prophets, heartbreak, ruins, and rubble. – Randall Roberts, LA Times
