In an interview with The Bitter Southerner magazine, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe opened up about his future plans and told that he doesn’t aim to be competing with the pop stars like Miley Cyrus whose records are on the top of the charts.
After 31 years of career with fifteen studio albums, R.E.M. officially parted ways in 2011. As a very successful and popular band, R.E.M.’s disbandment created sadness among the millions of dedicated fans and they didn’t reunite despite the fans’ high expectations. After the break-up, the band reconvened just for some special projects.
Michael Stipe had made it clear in one of his previous interviews that R.E.M. will never reunite. He had said that they are proud of what they achieved and they are not chasing money. According to Stipe, most separated bands reunite mostly to make more profit but they don’t need that. Later on, Michael Stipe focused on his solo career and now he is working on his upcoming solo album.
Besides his released singles, Stipe also recorded other songs with LaMaster but there is no precise information about when they will be released. In the interview, Michael Stipe referred to these recordings and noted that he doesn’t work with any record companies. And he added that his aim is not to be commercially successful, he is quite content with producing what he wants. Stipe doesn’t feel any need to enter into a rivalry with popular names like Miley Cyrus or Dua Lipa.
Here is what Michael Stipe said about his musical strategy:
“I have no record company, I have no contract, I don’t have any representation. I’m happy to put out my stuff and not feel like I have to compete with a Dua Lipa or Miley Cyrus or whoever is at the top of the charts this week.”
Later on in the conversation, Stipe also talked about his passion for photography. In 2018, he had also released a photography book that includes the photographs of some famous names such as Kurt Cobain and River Phoenix.
