Music Biz Headlines, Feb. 24, 2022
Soulful songsmith AHI (pictured) is profiled, Alan Doyle announces his first live album, and Ed Robertson and Rush go full-tilt on a pinball project. Others in the headlines include Katie Tupper, Def Jam India, Molson Park, COC, Armoury studios, Splinterlands, Billie Eilish, Madonna, BTS, Ronnie Spektor, and Mark Lanegan.
By Kerry Doole
The pandemic practically killed culture. How five artists plan to use a chance to revive it
Two years after the pandemic put a stop of live performance and other artistic endeavours, the artists are thrilled and relieved to land a six-month residency with arts and culture festival Luminato. – Bruce DeMara, Toronto Star
Katie Tupper debuts solo EP with strong local support
"Writing songs just feels like I'm doing the right thing that I'm supposed to be doing." – Star-Phoenix
Brampton singer/songwriter AHI talks influences and the winding path that led him to music
His third album, Prospect, released late last year, with singles “Danger” and “Coldest Fire,” is an extraordinary folk-rooted effort.– Nick Krewen, The Star
Alan Doyle announces a live album, Here, Tonight, comes out March 11
Newfoundland favourite Alan Doyle will release his first live album on March 11 titled Here, Tonight, a collection of songs recorded at shows over the past few years with his longtime tour support The Beautiful Beautiful Band (Cory Tetford, Kendel Carson, Kris MacFarlane, Shehab Illyas and Todd Lumley). It includes solo and Great Big Sea favourites. – WMC Canada
Pinball Wizard: BNL’s Ed Robertson on how his obsession inspired Rush arcade game
Ed Robertson and Rush have gone full-tilt on a pinball project. The Barenaked Ladies frontman recently joined Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to help design a series of pinball machines dedicated to their legendary Canadian rock band. And Robertson wasn’t just any casual pinball game consultant. – David Friend, CP
Save the date: Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Classless Act play Vancouver
The Stadium Tour brings some of the 1980s top hair metal acts together. – Stuart Derdeyn, Postmedia
Famed Armoury recording studio plagued by interference from Rogers cell tower running out of options, clients
Despite the interference, investigation found Rogers is operating within licensed parameters. – Joel Ballard, CBC News
Molson Park in Barrie was music paradise on Earth to Torontonians
It’s been 30 years since Lollapalooza opened the floodgates for a tidal wave of events and eccentrics on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay. – Gilles LeBlanc, Toronto Star
Definitely not the same old Canadian Opera Company
Two world premieres and a focus on new voices revitalizes its ‘old-fashioned’ repertoire. COC general director Perryn Leech hopes diverse, fresh programming will help the company reach out to new audiences and communities as well as keeping traditional fans happy. – Joshua Chong, Toronto Star
International
Warner strikes 'first of its kind' deal with blockchain gaming firm Splinterlands
Warner Music Group (WMG) has entered into a partnership with blockchain gaming developer Splinterlands. Described by WMG as a “first-of-its-kind deal”, the partnership will see the two companies collaborate to give select WMG artists opportunities to create and develop play-to-earn (P2E), arcade-style blockchain games. – Murray Stassen, MBW
Universal launches Def Jam India to support Indian & South Asian hip-hop talent
Universal Music Group (UMG) has expanded the Def Jam brand into India and South Asia, with the launch of Def Jam India. The new label division is dedicated to representing what UMG says is “the best hip-hop and rap talent from the region”. – MBW
Listen here: you can’t rely on music streaming. Maybe it’s time to dig out your old CDs
The Neil Young row hinted at the precariousness of relying on Spotify et al. Could the casual CD become cool again? – Larry Ryan The Guardian
The music industry (still) has a culture problem
A mismatch is clearly emerging between what audiences want to listen to (a diverse range of musical talent), what women in the industry want (more diversity higher up to reflect the potential for their own careers), and what is actually happening higher up in the ranks. – Hanna Kahlert, MIDIA Research
Billie Eilish pauses another show to check on crowd safety
A similar incident in Atlanta earlier this month sparked the anger of Kanye West.– Patrick Clarke, NME
Iconic Madonna dress, pre-Beatles drum kit up for auction
The pink Marilyn Monroe-style dress worn by pop star Madonna in her 1984 “Material Girl” music video and a drum kit used by the prototype Beatles are some of the items going under the hammer at a music memorabilia auction in California. – Reuters
The only way to listen to Kanye West's new album is on a $200 device
The album Donda 2 will be exclusively available on the rapper's own platform, Stem Player. – Courtney Greenberg Edmonton Journal
Regina Spektor announces a new album
The New York City singer/songwriter's first new album in six years is coming June 24. On its sweeping lead single, she grabs a beer with God and asks him a few hard questions. – Paste
K-pop sensation BTS to return to U.S. for in-person concerts
South Korean boy band BTS will return to the United States for a series of concerts in Las Vegas in April, their agency said on Wednesday.The concerts, part of their "Permission to Dance on Stage" tour that has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, will be held on April 8-9 and 15-16, with the last show live-streamed, Bit Hit Music said in a statement. – Josh Smith, Reuters
Mark Lanegan remembered: Peter Hook, Garbage, Greg Dulli, Moby and more pay tribute
He is also known for his work with Queens of the Stone Age and The Gutter Twins. – Grace Ann Natanawan, Spin
Eddie Vedder honors ‘one of a kind singer’ Mark Lanegan at Seattle concert
The Screaming Trees frontman and grunge pioneer died at the age of 57. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone
