From our old friend and IRS Records stalwart Michael Plen, the guy who took one of the all-time great live photographs of R.E.M. performing — a shot that still resonates all these years later. As Michael Plen describes it that rainy evening at the cavernous Shea Stadium in New York where R.E.M opened for the … Continued
Eon Music has posted a new interview with members of @drinktheseaofficial. Check it out here.
“After three days of rehearsal in Bilbao, we are a couple of days into the daily reenactment of the myth of Sisyphus which is touring life. We stopped in the middle of nowhere at a truck stop which reputedly was the home of a certain type of cake invented there. Had espresso, skipped the cake. … Continued
On the heels of the band’s tour kicking off in Spain this Friday, here’s a link to an excellent review just posted by Sonicabuse.
Go behind the scenes in Macon with Mike Mills and violinist Robert McDuffie in this interview with Kristi York Wooten of GPB News.
Audiophiles take note! Chronic Town together with Murmur, the band’s earliest IRS releases, are now available via the Definitive Sound Series–a meticulous One-Step vinyl process renowned for its superior sound quality. The DSS version of Chronic Town/Murmur is limited to a one-time pressing of 3,000 numbered copies and includes a top-quality heavyweight tip-on jacket for … Continued
Make plans to tune-in tonight at 10pm Eastern/7pm Pacific for a Live Audiophile Roundtable with producers Mitch Easter and Don Dixon who will do a deep dive into the making of Chronic Town and Murmur. The podcast, hosted by Steve Westman, will focus on the production choices, the sessions, the stories, and why these albums … Continued
Our friend Sandra-Lee Phipps is once again holding her annual R.E.M. print sale, and she’s offering a special artifact with all orders placed by December 1st! All 13”X19” print orders placed by December 1 will include a unique B/W small print (5”X7”) created in the darkroom with a “Murmur” era negative by Sandra-Lee. Visit her … Continued
It was a fun night in Athens last night when Howl Owl Howl, Mike’s new band with Darius Rucker and Steve Gorman, played a sold out show at the Georgia Theatre. One of the many highlights of the evening was when Bill came on stage and joined the band for “The One I Love.” The … Continued
Michael is among the 80 artists who have picked and submitted a favorite Neil Young song in Stereogum’s tribute to Neil on his 80th birthday. Click below to read Michael’s pick and the story that accompanies it… READ IT
“Hey everybody, I’m back and ready to hit the road! The Drink The Sea rehearsals and warmup shows went well, albeit without Duke Garwood–visa issues, which are now straightened out. In two weeks, we leave for Spanish rehearsals with the whole sick crew, then our multiple country world tour. The vinyl is out and looks … Continued
VOTE TODAY!!! This is so thrilling, the possibilities!! This feels like my city and my country and it makes me proud. – MICHAEL STIPE “Today is only the beginning. Our time has come, New York. Our time is now.” -Zohran Kwame Mamdani
“I’m early voting today to ensure a fair, equitable and progressive NYC for all!! Vote Mamdani!!! Thank you!!” – Michael
Mike’s single, Telling Stories, from the Kevn Kinney collection “Let’s Go Dancing” is out today on Tasty Good Records. Listen Here. From Kevn Kinney: “Mike Mills – Drivin n Cryin’s first mention in a major rock magazine was from Mike Mills years ago in a best of list for Rolling Stone … it was a … Continued
Check out Mitch Easter’s Tracking Angle interview with JoE Silva as Mitch recounts his early sessions with the band; the interview coincided with the release of Radio Free Europe 2025, the five-track benefit EP with never before released tracks.