In the five years since the breakup of R.E.M., lead singer Michael Stipe has only made a couple of appearances. Instead, he has spent time working on his art, including brass and bronze sculptures.
Then, recently, he was asked to sing at the two David Bowie tribute concerts in New York and it sparked a creative fire. Stipe tells the New York Times’ Sean Howe that it may be time to try add some music back into the mix. “I’m not ready to go completely into pop stardom again, as a 56-year-old, but I want to work in music again.”
His first new project is producing the album SIR by the electroclash group Fischerspooner. Beyond that, nothing seems firm in stone.
Howe also asked him if he has kept his voice limber over the last five years, perhaps with karaoke:
Depending how much beer has been had, I do a really great version of Justify My Love, usually involving everyone in the room. So I’ll rewrite it to fit the occasion. I think the last time was in Paris. Actually, “I want to kiss you in Paris,” that’s the first line, so you have to do Justify My Love.
There’s more from the interview, including talk of the deluxe reissue of Out of Time, at the New York Times.