Music Biz Headlines, May 15, 2020
A plea for streaming services to aid musicians, Young Canadians’ Hawaii (pictured) gets a reissue, and Bernie Sanders is a Prince fan. Also in the headlines are Corey Hart, Matt Masters, 120 Diner, Dana Beeler, Downtown, Diane Warren, Jason Isbell, the Hollywood Bowl, Perfume Genius, and the Knitting Factory.
By Kerry Doole
Musicians are more desperate than ever. Streaming services ought to rescue them
Spotify, YouTube and streaming services in general: It’s time to step up. For way, way too long — Spotify, it’s been 14 years for you and 15 for YouTube — you have ridden on the backs of recording artists, musicians and songwriters that have provided you with content and, in turn, billions of dollars in profits, without offering them much in return. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Loving reissue of the Young Canadians' Hawaii EP raises the question of who was Vancouver's greatest punk band
What’s more important from a legacy standpoint: being the greatest band, or being the band that writes the greatest songs? The question is an important one when you’re reflecting on the Art Bergmann-led Young Canadians’ place in Vancouver’s fabled first-wave punk gold rush. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Corey Hart revisits Never Surrender with a remake and upcoming video
One of Corey Hart’s most resilient hit singles, Never Surrender, is getting a makeover by the singer, who’s been inspired by people’s unwavering strength during the covid pandemic. – David Friend, CP
Drake's private info might get leaked in a reported cyberattack
The Weeknd and Jessie Reyez may also be victims of the cyberattack upon New York-based media and entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks. As part of the attack, they're threatening to leak the private information of many high profile companies and celebs, including Drake. – Karen Doradea, Narcity
Are online shows live music's new lifeline?
Halifax's Side Door Access is "hoping to be a life raft for artists" during the pandemic. – Sam Gillett, the Coast
Neighbourhood watch: Matt Masters' community concerts about to go national
Standing on a custom-made stage atop his 2012 silver Dodge Caravan, the Calgary-based singer-songwriter has been serenading paying customers in various neighbourhoods for the past month. Yes, the concerts may have a bit of a free-wheeling feel to them. But we are still in the middle of a pandemic here, folks, so there are rules to follow. – Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald
'Devastating’ loss for Toronto’s LGBTQ community as Church St.’s Club 120 closes for good
It was a sanctuary for “extreme diversity,” a place to call home and a space where people of Toronto’s multi-faceted LGBTQ communities could let loose. Now, because of covid, Club 120 and its sister live music and comedy venue, 120 Diner, have closed doors. – Josh Rubin, Toronto Star
Hello Delaware's Dana Beeler knows how you feel
The Halifax rocker started a podcast to help us all feel a little less alone. – Morgan Mullin, The Coast
International
Music royalties reach a record high - but a storm is coming
Musicians and songwriters in the UK received a record amount of money last year, but the loss of live music poses a major threat to income in 2020. The warning was issued by PRS for Music, the body that makes sure 145,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in the UK are paid when their music is played or performed around the world. It said covid-19 would result in an "inevitable decline" in 2020 and 2021. – Mark Savage, BBC
Downtown buys UK-based independent music publisher Good Soldier Songs
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, includes more than 350 works, including the publishing catalogue of The 1975. – Murray Stassen, MBW
Our industry isn’t coming back like yours is
Live events aren’t getting the acknowledgement that others are. – Nicholas Rivero, Medium
Songwriter Diane Warren signs with BMG ahead of 'historic' new album
BMG will represent Warren for publishing and recording and will release a collection of the legendary songwriter's new works, performed and recorded by a starry lineup of guests. – Billboard
There's a Prince drumhead hanging inside Bernie Sanders's office
Specifically, there's a drumhead from Prince's longtime band, New Power Generation, hanging inside what appears to be the home office of Bernie Sanders. We learned this funky truth this week. – Jay Boller, City Pages
Prince estate announces ‘Prince and the Revolution: Live’ streaming event
It takes place on YouTube, May 14-16. – Rolling Stone
The 20 best Jason Isbell songs
In honor of Jason Isbell's latest record Reunions, a look back at some of his most moving songs. – Ellen Johnson, Paste
Hollywood Bowl season canceled for the first time in 98 years. So long, L.A. summer
For the first time in its nearly 100-year history, the Hollywood Bowl is canceling its entire season — a loss that amounts to far more than opening night with Brandi Carlile, the film screenings and sing-alongs, the concerts starring Diana Ross, Yuja Wang and Janelle Monae that were to have followed. – Jessica Gelt, LA Times
Remembering the original Knitting Factory
Owners and musicians tell the story of the New York jazz club that defined "downtown." – Shaun Brady, JazzTimes
Perfume Genius: Set My Heart on Fire Immediately review – pop poet discovers new powers
Backed by starry session musicians, Mike Hadreas makes wild but confident leaps between styles on this rich, fascinating LP. – Alexis Petridis, The Guardian
