News

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.”

I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to the Velvet Underground & Nico features contributions from Michael, Matt Berninger, Sharon Van Etten with Angel Olsen, Andrew Bird, Lucius, Kurt Vile & The Violators, St. Vincent & Thomas Bartlett, Thurston Moore, Bobby Gillespie, King Princess, Courtney Barnett, Fontaines D.C., and Iggy Pop & Matt Sweeney. It’s a … Continued

“In some ways, that session feels like it was the earliest days of electricity.” – Mitch Easter Today marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the Hib-Tone Single for “Radio Free Europe/Sitting Still.” In this interview, producer Mitch Easter catches up with NME about working with the band during those early sessions. Check out … Continued

“As an artist, Michael Stipe is, in his words, “uncategorizable”: He’s a photographer, a musician, a stage designer and a film producer, among other things. When discussing his art in all its forms, Stipe speaks with reverence of the women who have influenced it, from his mother and his multiple goddaughters to Patti Smith, Liza … Continued

Portland’s Eyelids have got a new “dubble” live LP (featuring performances by Peter Buck & Scott McCaughey) available to pre-order starting today.   Eyelids maestro Chris Slusarenko reports it’s a “massive 23 track – 2LP set pressed on clear vinyl with black, yellow, red and blue SMOKEY SWIRLS along with an 11×22 poster with 36 … Continued

In this interview, Michael catches up with Diego de Godoy, self-avowed “biggest R.E.M. fan in the southern hemisphere,” to discuss his new book and a host of other timely topics. Watch the interview HERE.

Congratulations to Split Single whose outstanding new album, Amplificado, is out and available today. The band is Jason Narducy, Jon Wurster, and Mike Mills. Purchase the new album, sample tracks, and watch the video for the first single, (Nothing You Can Do) To End This Love” here. File under: highly recommended.    

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