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11 Best Songs of the Week: John Cale, M83, U.S. Girls, Miss Grit, and More

Plus Lonnie Holley and Michael Stipe, Vagabon, Young Fathers, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Jan 13, 2023

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

Lonnie Holley Announces New Album, Shares New Song “Oh Me, Oh My” (Feat. Michael Stipe)

Oh Me Oh My Due Out March 10 via Jagjaguwar; Album Also Features Sharon Van Etten and Bon Iver

Jan 12, 2023

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

Mar 22, 2022

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

Sharon Van Etten Announces Reissue of “epic” and Shares Big Red Machine Cover of “A Crime”

epic Ten Due Out April 16 on Ba Da Bing and to Feature Extra Album of Covers by Other Artists

Mar 04, 2021

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

10 Best Songs of the Week: JARV IS…, John Prine, Dirty Projectors, Shamir, and More

Plus Leon Bridges, Plants and Animals, Michael Stipe, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Jun 12, 2020

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

Michael Stipe and Big Red Machine Share Studio Version of New Song “No Time for Love Like Now”

A Collaboration with The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner Shared via a Video

Jun 11, 2020

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

Watch Michael Stipe Perform New Demo Song “No Time for Love Like Now”

A Collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner

Mar 30, 2020

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

Michael Stipe Shares PSA Video With His Tips for the COVID-19 Coronavirus

Hopefully It’s Not the End of the World As We Know It

Mar 17, 2020

Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has shared a new PSA video with tips for dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus.

More

Jan 06, 2020

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

10 Best Songs of the Week: Nick Cave, Anna Meredith, Kim Gordon, FKA twigs, and More

Plus Corridor, Michael Stipe, Caribou, Girl Ray, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Oct 11, 2019

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

Oct 07, 2019

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

10 Best Songs of the Week: Weyes Blood, Tamaryn, Wye Oak, Broken Social Scene, and More

Plus Jessie Ware, Drugdealer, Jenny Lewis, SASAMI, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Feb 15, 2019

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

Soundtracking the Resistance - Still Marching

The Gun Control Fight Continues

Mar 30, 2018

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

Fischerspooner Share NSFW Video for New Song “TopBrazil” and Announce Tour Dates

Sir (Produced and Co-Written by Michael Stipe) Due Out February 16 via Ultra

Jan 19, 2018

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

Fischerspooner Share Video for New Song “Togetherness” Featuring Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek

Sir (Produced and Co-Written by Michael Stipe) Due Out February 16, 2018 via Ultra

Oct 13, 2017

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

Soundtracking the Resistance - Six Months Down

Examining a Half Year of Trump (Plus Radiohead, Michael Stipe, Coldplay, Randy Newman, and Dirty Projectors)

Jul 21, 2017

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

100 Artists Sign Guitar for Planned Parenthood - Michael Stipe, Florence Welch, Feist, and 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

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

Dec 16, 2016

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

Alec Baldwin Interviews Michael Stipe About the Election, Baldwin’s Trump Impersonation, and More

On Baldwin's WNYC Talk Show He Also Discusses Prince and His Current Plans

Nov 08, 2016

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

Mar 30, 2016

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

Dec 13, 2012

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

Watch: Michael Stipe Plays Password With Muppets

A Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Treat

Nov 17, 2011

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

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

R.E.M. Premiere Video for “Everyday Is Yours to Win”

YouTube Debut Includes Intro from Michael Stipe and Co-Director Jim McKay

Apr 26, 2011

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

R.E.M. Completes Recording of 15th Studio Album

Mixing to take place in the Fall with a Spring 2011 release date anticipated.

Jul 14, 2010

R.E.M. wraps recording of 15th studio album, tentatively slated for release in Spring of next year. We have the details. More

May 14, 2010

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

Michael Stipe

New Adventures in Activism

Jun 02, 2008

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