Today Michael Stipe premiered his first new material since the disbandment of R.E.M. Stipe collaborated with Andy LeMaster on the instrumental track, "The Coldlands," which was written for and inspired by the new Tom Gilroy film of the same name (film available on demand here).
Stipe discussed the project in an interview with Salon and revealed that because this is the first music he's released since R.E.M., he felt some added pressure, but because he knew he wouldn't be singing it made things easier:
"This is, in fact, the first thing that I’ve done musically since R.E.M disbanded. So, of course, I wanted it to be for something that meant a lot to me. That was important.
But this was more like an oral painting in a way because I didn’t have to use my voice. I didn’t have the pressure of writing a lyric or expressing a feeling or emotion through my voice. I could do it through instruments...If there was a singer, it wouldn’t have been me. I would have found someone. That’s not just being ornery. It’s just that I don’t want to do it right now."
Stipe also isn't sure when he'll create more music, but re-affirmed that music is still an important part of his life:
"So I think music will most definitely be a part of my future output. I hope it is. But it’s going to run through a very different circuit, I would expect. I love music. I think it’s an immensely moving form for me, but how do I apply that to where I am now?"
Listen to "The Coldlands" and read the full Q & A with Michael Stipe here.
Last month R.E.M. released a non-limited edition version of their Record Store Day Unplugged collection, plus a massive rarities collection.
Published June 4th, 2014 @ 8:24 PM