Author Archives: David Bell

Tonight on BBC 2 in the UK, watch the 1999 Glastonbury headline show in full at 11:00 PM as part of The Glastonbury Experience 2021.

Remember seeing NRBQ opening for R.E.M. on the Green tour? I do! Well, we all still love “The Q,” and all musicians must love Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund, the exceptional organization that’s been helping musicians deal with debilitating medical bills for decades now. When I heard founding NRBQ member Joey Spampinato was in need of … Continued

Michael will be a guest on BBC Two program “Inside Culture” this Friday, June 25 at 7:30 PM (UK). He’ll discuss his new book of photography as well as what he’s up to on the musical front these days. Note: unfortunately, BBC’s iPlayer only works in the UK “due to rights issues,” but the BBC … Continued

“I hope to continue making music and sound a part of my life for the rest of my life. It’s something I find great joy in.” – Michael in a clip from his interview with HardTalk

Automatic For The People is now available in Apple Music‘s Spatial Audio with Dolby ATMOS, an immersive listening experience where sound comes from around and above you. The album was first remixed in Dolby ATMOS by AFTP’s original producer, Scott Litt, and engineer, Clif Norrell, as part of the album’s 25th anniversary reissue in 2017, … Continued

In an outstanding article at Music Radar, producer Mitch Easter shares his in-depth knowledge from heading up the band’s early recording sessions: “They were really committed to that ethos too. They felt like there was a moral quality to getting your shit together fast. I mean they weren’t slapdash about it; they were picky, but … Continued

Patti Smith’s new blog at Substack features an essay about the difficulty she feels (which many of us may share) of re-engaging with the day-to-day now that we’re all beginning to slowly but surely re-emerge from the pandemic. Anxieties still remain, Smith says, that continue to hold us back and tamp down our motivation to … Continued

They’re at it again! It’s Disposable #5 from The Baseball Project! Peter and Scott recorded this demo 80 years after Lou Gehrig’s death. An advance look at the long-awaited 4th BBP album? One can hope so!

Michael highly recommends Sinead’s new memoir REMEMBERINGS published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade and available today (June 1). “ Her voice on the page is as fearless, riveting and unforgettable as her voice in song. The cadence alone is hypnotic, her story essential. Rememberings is a must-read.” — Michael Stipe Go here to order your … Continued

Peter and Scott came up with this quickie for the Baseball Project’s “Disposables” series for the 2021 season.

“I discovered aspects of myself that I never anticipated were so strong and other aspects that I never anticipated were so fragile. I’m a very fortunate person, but I lost some people and, as for everyone, 2020 was incredibly difficult in terms of allowing space for exactly what this book is about, which is being … Continued

Organized by the United Nations Environment Program North America Region along with Pathway to Paris and 350.org, the World Environment Day livestream event will be held on June 4 with appearances from Patti Smith, Michael Stipe, Dave Matthews, Ben Harper and more.

“It’s the ultimate rock and roll origin story: Four guys walk into a garage to bang out a record.” – Rob Sheffield In this in-depth look at the making of “Radio Free Europe” Rob Sheffield catches up with producer Mitch Easter who remembers “the debut single that changed the world in 1981,” now available in its … Continued

(PRESS RELEASE): For the first time in 40 years, rock icons R.E.M. are reissuing their foundational, debut single “Radio Free Europe,” first released in 1981. While many fans know the 1983 version of the song, which appeared on the band’s first studio album Murmur, only a lucky few have heard this version, which marks one … Continued

“In a career lined with the long shadows of multiple iconic albums and cult favorites alike, Reveal just might be the most underrated album in a hallowed catalogue.” – Ryan Leas for Stereogum R.E.M.’s 12th studio album, produced by Pat McCarthy, was released on May 15, 2001. Ryan Leas of Stereogum takes a look back … Continued