Michael Stipe Releases First New Music Since R.E.M.'s Breakup

Michael Stipe Releases First New Music Since R.E.M.’s Breakup

2014-06-05

Story by Charles Ken

Former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe has created a soundtrack composition for ‘The Cold Lands’ film

Hey, R.E.M. fans—the band may be done, but former lead singer Michael Stipe has new music for your ears. Stripe has posted his first sampling of music since R.E.M’s breakup in 2001 via Salon: an instrumental soundtrack of sorts. The song is part of a collaboration with Stipe’s friend, filmmaker Tom Gilroy, on a soundtrack composition for “The Cold Lands.”

“Tom is one of my best and oldest friends; we’ve known each other for 32 years,” Stipe told Salon. “I knew what he was putting into this film. And I knew, symbolically, what certain things meant to him. So I wanted the peacock and I wanted a scene at the waterfall. I actually didn’t care if there was talking. If there were scenes where there would be dialogue, you’re seeing their mouths move, but nothing’s happening. In fact, I find that kind of thrilling. It makes you wonder what’s happening.”

Stipe added that since this was the first thing he’s done musically since R.E.M., “I wanted it to be for something that meant a lot to me. That was important.”

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Charles Ken

Meet the expert - Charles Ken is a graduate of Michigan State University where he studied writing and history. He's a longtime music buff and covers classic rock for Audio Ink Radio. Contact him at ken@audioinkradio.com.