Music Biz Headlines, Sept. 9, 2019
Jack De Keyzer (pictured) is a Canadian blues survivor, Shawn Mendes storms Rogers Centre, and David Crosby boosts Michelle Willis. Also in the headlines are Robbie Robertson, Rae Spoon, The Bassment, Van Morrison, Brittany Howard, Sonny Rollins, John Paul Jones, and Zimdancehall.
By FYI Staff
Shawn Mendes delivers at Rogers Centre, even adds a bit of stadium rock
So if that was Shawn Mendes’s first tentative step up into the realm of stadium-level stardom, let it be known that the pilot project has gone rather well. – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
Jack De Keyzer defies shrinking Toronto club scene
De Keyzer, a true Canadian blues icon, is not surprised by the loss of prime live venues saying that attendance at blues clubs has been in a steady decline in recent years. – Keith Sharp, Music Express
Toronto Mayor John Tory hands key to the city to musician Robbie Robertson
Robertson accepted a golden key to the City of Toronto on Thursday ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of a documentary celebrating his career. – CP
How rock-folk legend David Crosby has helped Thornton singer Michelle Willis
Michelle Willis will perform a live recording of her new album on Oct. 5 in Toronto, with David Crosby as her featured guest. For the past few years, she been travelling around the world, performing for live audiences in Canada, the United States and Europe, both as a solo artist and alongside other artists, like rock-folk legend Crosby and guitarist Becca Stevens. – Brad Pritchard, Alliston Herald
Victoria Conservatory of Music shows off new technology lab at open house
The lab features computers and software for music recording, editing and production, and it's open to both beginners and experts. In addition to the software and the computers, the room includes a multi-channel audio system that will allow students to hear their creations and discuss with instructors and peers. – CTV News
Review: Rae Spoon throws out a lifeline on Mental Health
Over eight songs, the Victoria-by-way-of-Calgary singer/songwriter expresses what it’s like to live with depression, anxiety and other mental health struggles. – Carla Gillis, NOW
How is data changing the music industry? You might want to read this.
Now, though, things are much more sophisticated. The thinking is that if enough data and be collected and crunched, it’ll be easy to determine which songs truly have hit potential and which do not. – Alan Cross, A Journal of Musical Things
The Bassment suits up for a huge season of music
Saskatoon Jazz Society artistic director Don Griffith said the size and scope of this season is both scary and exciting for The Bassment. – Matt Olson, Star-Phoenix
Shawn Mendes Tim Hortons commericial inspires Ron Sexsmith to ask for his own
Another Canadian musician wants his own hometown Tim Hortons commercial. Based on what he did at his local Timmies back in the day, it's safe to say the commercial wouldn't get a G rating. – Narcity
International
Vinyl is poised to outsell CDs for the first time since 1986
In the near future, the revenue generated by record sales is likely to surpass the revenue generated by CDs. – Elias Leight, Rolling Stone
Shelved: Van Morrison’s Contractual Obligation album
This is the sound of not really trying. What became known as Morrison’s “revenge” or Contractual Obligation album is perhaps the most distinguished of many record label f-yous. – Tom Maxwell, Longreads
Brittany Howard review – a funk-rooted tour de force
Her deeply personal solo detour from Alabama Shakes fuses funk and spiritual and leaves Amsterdam rapt. – Kitty Empire, Guardian
Alibaba acquires a minority stake in NetEase Cloud Music, but for less money than expected: $700m
Tencent is about to get some seriously strong competition in the streaming music space in China. – Murray Stassen, MBW
“I was always trying to get better”: Sonny Rollins on a life in Jazz
Regarded as one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time, retired “Saxophone Colossus” Sonny Rollins gives a rare interview. – uDiscover Music.
Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Waters and the colors of sound
Critics, scholars, and fans are frequently caught up in the idea of an ideal black sound. – Dwandalyn Reece, NPR
Zimdancehall: music that reflects troubled country’s frustrations
– Patrick Kingsley, Sydney Morn
Why John Paul Jones won’t do any more solo albums
" It was instrumental music, but I’m not Jeff Beck. I remember a promoter saying, ‘We can’t grow it.’ Oh, well, fuck you all.” – Martin Kielty, Ultimateclassicrock
This is normal: The enduring, knotty relevance of Randy Newman and Drive-By Truckers
45 and 15 years after their releases, Good Old Boys and The Dirty South still speak to the best and worse impulses in America. – Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone
