Random Music News for Tuesday, July 18, 2017

On this day in 1995, the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. It ended up destroying George Martin’s state-of-the-art Air Studios. And now, the music news for July 18.

1. This one of the better leaks involving the iPhone 8.
2. What the hell is this about an R. Kelly sex cult?
3. Jay-Z sold 174,000 physical copies of 4:44 in America last week. That was almost 150,000 more than the #2 album, Something to Tell You by Haim.
4. Canadian music sales numbers vs. this point last year: Total albums, -18%; digital albums, -24%; CDs, -13%, digital tracks, -20 %; vinyl, -5%; cassettes, -45%. Meanwhile, streaming is up by 87%.
5. Spotify is looking to create a playlist feedback system for record labels.
6. Here’s another prediction for what Spotify might become in the future.
7. Sony is out to buy TuneCore. This will be of interest to musicians.
8. Is the concept of an AI DJ a billion-dollar idea? One company thinks so.
9. Sure, Ed Sheeran had his Game of Thrones cameo–but he’s also been hit with another multi-million-dollar lawsuit.
10. There’s been some interesting criticism of this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest.
11. BC’s Pemberton Music Festival was in financial trouble almost from the very beginning. No wonder it went bankrupt.
12. The next big Rush 40th anniversary? A Farewell to Kings, due September 1.
13. Land Rover isn’t happy about Spice Girl Victoria Beckham claiming that she designed one of their SUVs.
14. What makes a song the best? Let’s ask science. (Via Rupinder)
15. A couple got engaged at a Garth Brooks show in Oklahoma City. When he found out, he offered to pay for their honeymoon.
16. Watching and listening is the new reading. It’s all about podcasts and audio books.
17. Here’s a radio job for someone who likes to travel. And likes sheep. And penguins.