News

We’ve just heard Eddie Vedder’s excellent version of “Drive” for Sean Penn’s new film Flag Day.

“E-Bow the Letter,” the first single from R.E.M.’s tenth studio album New Adventures in Hi-Fi, was released on this day in 1996. We’re celebrating with a newly remastered HD version of the official music video.

Peter is back in the studio with Eyelids this week as they start work on the Portland band’s new LP. We’re excited to report that Peter will once again man the production helm. According to Chris Slusarenko, “Songs include “Pink Chair”, “Swinging In The Circus”, “Everything That I See, You See Better,” “The Snow Fire … Continued

We’ve posted a couple of different times here recently about “A Carnival of Sorts,” the excellent 40-song R.E.M. covers compilation God Is In The TV Zine has made available for pre-order on Bandcamp (due out officially this Friday) with proceeds going to Help Musicians. Tonight, we wanted to share the guys’ reactions to the compilation: “All … Continued

“In R.E.M.’s earliest days, it fell to Mitch Easter to harness the raw power and jangly energy of the Athens, Georgia quartet. Easter was behind the boards for the first four releases by the group: their 1981 debut single “Radio Free Europe,” breakthrough EP Chronic Town, and their bracing albums Murmur and Reckoning. The excitement … Continued

An inspiring conversation with Michael Stipe, this week’s New Yorker Interview

Catania in Sicily was one of the memorable shows of “bonus week“ at the very end of the summer 1995 tour in Europe (the others were Tel Aviv and (third time the charm–Prague). From the first song, “What’s the Frequency Kenneth” on, it was one of the best R.E.M. shows ever in Italy (and all … Continued

Enter for a chance to win a “Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single)” prize bundle, featuring a cassette player plus the Cassette Set demos tape, the 7-inch record, a crewneck, a button pack, and a hand-numbered limited-edition poster. Three runners-up will win a “Radio Free Europe” T-Shirt and pin set prize pack. Go HERE to … Continued

The Talkhouse Podcast brings Mike together with Split Single bandmate Jason Narducy for a fascinating conversation about their collaboration on the recently released LP Amplificado. “Elsewhere in this conversation, Mills and Narducy talk about the pandemic, of course, as well as hope for the future, passing the baton to the next generation, and the majesty … Continued

Mike will join members of Yo La Tengo, The Posies, & The dB’s for “The Songs of Big Star,” a “one of a kind acoustic, orchestrated” tribute concert that will happen at St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church on November 7. According to website Brooklyn Vegan, who is holding a pre-sale for the concert today and … Continued

To mark the band’s 40th anniversary, UK website, God Is In The TV Zine, is celebrating R.E.M. all week this week (July 26-31) running retrospectives, features, three podcasts covering the different eras of the band’s career to be followed in August with an R.E.M. covers’ compilation on Bandcamp in tribute to the band and in … Continued

It’s Official Release Day for the 7-inch “Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single)” b/w “Sitting Still” on Craft Recordings! It’s been 40 years since the band released their debut single in July 1981.

Michael was a guest on HomoSapiens Podcast earlier this week, and the two-part episode (described in the blurb below) is now available for you to listen at Apple & on the show’s website.

“As one of the geographically highest and most visible corners in Athens Clarke County, it would be a great shame to lose these majestic trees to poorly planned development. We absolutely encourage smart community growth, but with multiple poor zoning choices made by prior administrations, we all need to ensure that there is a Classic … Continued

Hometown heroes Wuxtry Records have a special event planned on July 22nd in celebration of the 40-year anniversary reissue of the “Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single).” If you’re planning to be in Athens that night, you won’t want to miss Wuxtry’s “Return to the Midnight Sale.”