EXCLUSIVE! “I don’t have to please anyone but myself ”
IT’S been almost a decade since REM split, during which time Michael Stipe has published two books of photography, written some film music (for 2013’s The Cold Lands), premiered two audio/visual works at Moogfest and produced a Fischerspooner album, as well as growing – and trimming down again – a very large beard. Finally, he’s back to singing actual songs, the kinds of fathomless, ambiguous songs on which REM’s reputation was forged.
Two solo tracks – “Your Capricious Soul” and “Drive To The Ocean” – emerged late last year and early this, both raising funds for environmental causes. And in June, Stipe fronted a new track from Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon’s open-ended Big Red Machine project, “No Time For Love Like Now”. Here, he reveals more about his upcoming new material – synths and tubas a speciality – and
