News
Plus Lonnie Holley and Michael Stipe, Vagabon, Young Fathers, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Jan 13, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to the second Songs of the Week of 2023. After a quiet period last week, this week was roaring with album announcements and new songs. We settled on a Top 11 this week. More
Oh Me Oh My Due Out March 10 via Jagjaguwar; Album Also Features Sharon Van Etten and Bon Iver
Jan 12, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Lonnie Holley has announced a new album, Oh Me Oh My, and shared its first single, near title track “Oh Me, Oh My,” which features Michael Stipe. The album also features Sharon Van Etten, Bon Iver, and others. More
Out Now via Transgressive
Mar 22, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Mykki Blanco has shared a video for his new single “Family Ties.” The song features R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe and it is out now via Transgressive. More
epic Ten Due Out April 16 on Ba Da Bing and to Feature Extra Album of Covers by Other Artists
Mar 04, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Sharon Van Etten has announced a new anniversary double album, epic Ten, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her album epic. It will include the original album plus a new album which features covers of songs from the original done by artists whom Van Etten admires, including Fiona Apple, Big Red Machine (Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver), IDLES, Courtney Barnett, Shamir, and more. She has shared the first song from the album, Big Red Machine’s cover of “A Crime,” and will be sharing a new cover from the album every Thursday leading up to its release date of April 16. More
Plus Leon Bridges, Plants and Animals, Michael Stipe, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Jun 12, 2020
By Christopher Roberts (with Mark Moody and Samantha Small)
Welcome to the 23rd Songs of the Week of 2020. It was a bit more of a chill week than last week. Black Lives Matter protests continued across the world, but generally remained peaceful. More
A Collaboration with The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner Shared via a Video
Jun 11, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Back in March former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe shared a video of him performing from home a new demo song “No Time for Love Like Now” and then he also performed it again from home for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Now he has shared the studio version of the song, via a video. It’s a collaboration with the collective Big Red Machine, in particular The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner. More
A Collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner
Mar 30, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Over the weekend former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe shared a video of him performing a new song “No Time for Love Like Now.” Stipe says it’s the first take of a new demo and that it’s a collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner. More
Hopefully It’s Not the End of the World As We Know It
Mar 17, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has shared a new PSA video with tips for dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
More
Proceeds Benefit Pathway to Paris
Jan 06, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has shared a new solo song, “Drive to the Ocean,” via a self-directed video for the track. Proceeds from the song will benefit Pathway to Paris, which is asking for cities to sign onto the Paris climate change agreement. More
Plus Corridor, Michael Stipe, Caribou, Girl Ray, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Oct 11, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. Last week we covered two week’s worth of songs, but this week we’re back to our regular coverage. Although there are a heck of a lot of honorable mentions this week. More
Proceeds Benefit Extinction Rebellion
Oct 07, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has shared his first ever solo song, “Your Capricious Soul.” It is available to download for 77 cents (or more if you’d like) from his website, with all proceeds for the next year going to the climate change organization Extinction Rebellion. More
Plus Jessie Ware, Drugdealer, Jenny Lewis, SASAMI, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Feb 15, 2019
By Mark Redfern
It was pretty rough week to be a Ryan Adams fan. We won’t regurgitate the details, but if you haven’t already done so then you should read The New York Times article detailing the sexual misconduct allegations made against him by Mandy Moore, Phoebe Bridgers, and several other women. More
The Gun Control Fight Continues
Mar 30, 2018
By Stephen Mayne
This week we talk the anti-gun violence movement which seems to be picking up steam, plus scandals, redistricting, Julian Assange, racism, Wes Anderson, and CHVRCHES. More
Sir (Produced and Co-Written by Michael Stipe) Due Out February 16 via Ultra
Jan 19, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Fischerspooner are releasing a new album, Sir, on February 16 via Ultra. Now they have shared a new song from it, “TopBrazil,” via a NSFW video, and have also announced some tour dates. More
Sir (Produced and Co-Written by Michael Stipe) Due Out February 16, 2018 via Ultra
Oct 13, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Fischerspooner previously announced that a new album, Sir, was on the way this fall, but it’s now been officially announced as a February 16, 2018 release via Ultra. The duo (Casey Spooner and Warren Fischer), who survived the early 2000s electro-clash label, haven’t released an album since 2009’s Entertainment. Today they have shared a video for a new song, “Togetherness.” More
Examining a Half Year of Trump (Plus Radiohead, Michael Stipe, Coldplay, Randy Newman, and Dirty Projectors)
Jul 21, 2017
By Stephen Mayne
It’s the half-year Trump anniversary so we’re leading with that this week. Mix in a little summary of his various misdeeds, and a collection of protest tracks the man has inspired and we’ve got ourselves a column. More
Plus Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Mac DeMarco, Lady Gaga, Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner, Jim James, Matt Berninger, Perfume Genius, and Others
Apr 17, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Over 100 artists have signed an acoustic guitar for Planned Parenthood and for $10 you can buy a drawing ticket to enter to win the guitar. More
Song Sums Up 2016, Colbert Also Interviews Stipe
Dec 16, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Last night R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Not only was he interviewed by Colbert, a very bearded Stipe joined the host for a funny parody of the R.E.M. hit “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).” More
On Baldwin's WNYC Talk Show He Also Discusses Prince and His Current Plans
Nov 08, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Alec Baldwin has interviewed former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe for his WNYC radio talk show “Here’s the Thing.” They start by discussing Stipe’s childhood and his earliest musical experiences. More
Stipe Performing at Bowie Tribute Concerts This Week
Mar 30, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night to cover the late David Bowie‘s “The Man Who Sold the World.” Stipe is taking part in this week’s two New York City tribute concerts to Bowie. Watch video of his performance below, which just features a very bearded Stipe and a pianist. More
A Merry Christmas to All And to All a Good Night
Dec 13, 2012
By Laura Studarus
As you might recall, some time ago Michael Stipe was enshrined on Stephen Colbert’s memorial shelf—the first musician to receive the honor. This week, Colbert has been making good use of his trophy, inviting guests to sing with him and Stipe in honor of Christmas. More
A Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Treat
Nov 17, 2011
By Laura Studarus
R.E.M. who? After the demise of his day job, Michael Stipe seems to be doing all right. After being the first musician to be enshrined on Stephen Colbert’s memorial shelf, last night the singer stopped by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. More
Nov 11, 2011
By Laura Studarus
Last night, Stephen Colbert welcomed Brian Eno to The Colbert Report. In addition to an interview segment, Eno joined Colbert and Michael Stipe (a.k.a. the first musician to be enshrined on Colbert’s memorial shelf) at the end of the show for a rousting a cappella rendition of “Lean on Me.” More
YouTube Debut Includes Intro from Michael Stipe and Co-Director Jim McKay
Apr 26, 2011
By John Everhart
R.E.M. has unveiled the latest in their series of 12 videos from the Collapse Into Now Film Project, a clip for the track “Everyday Is Yours to Win.” We have the details. More
Mixing to take place in the Fall with a Spring 2011 release date anticipated.
Jul 14, 2010
By John Everhart
R.E.M. wraps recording of 15th studio album, tentatively slated for release in Spring of next year. We have the details. More
At Least $2.00 off Most Back Issues
May 14, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Sad but true, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. Well, sad for us that is. Swamped with back issues—which I’m all sure we can agree is a good thing—Under the Radar is passing them on to you with a sale on selected issues. The question is, can you have too much of a good thing? We’re offering two dollars off most available back issues! More
Interviews
New Adventures in Activism
Jun 02, 2008
By Frank Valish
For the better part of the last three decades, Michael Stipe has passionately melded his rock and roll with his activism. From R.E.M.’s early days as Athens, GA indie-rockers through their big ’90s hits and the subtler explorations of their later work, Stipe and company have always had their hands in politics, whether teaming with Rock the Vote in the early ’90s, playing the Vote for Change tour in 2004, or supporting causes from hunger relief to women’s rights and Greenpeace. More