“Michael Stipe” | SmartLess

Intro

In this episode of the “SmartLess” podcast, the hosts sit down with Michael Stipe, former lead singer of REM. They discuss his career as a musician, his other artistic endeavors, and his thoughts on music and activism.

Main Takeaways

Michael Stipe’s Artistic Career

• Michael Stipe is a multi-talented artist, including being a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker.
• He is currently working on a show of artwork that will debut in Milan in December.
• Stipe is a self-proclaimed terrible painter but creates sculpture pieces, works with concrete, plastic, and plaster, and takes a lot of photographs.
• He uses his photographs to remember events and places and as a form of diary.

Impact of REM

• REM is considered by some to be the first great American post-punk band or indie band.
• Stipe appreciates when people tell him how his music impacted their lives.
• He talks about the importance of music and being graceful when people appreciate his work.
• He also acknowledges that not everyone likes him and that’s okay.

Music and Songwriting

• Stipe fictionalizes most of the lyrics he writes for songs, but some are very personal to him.
• Patti Smith was a huge influence on Stipe, and he decided to start REM after listening to her album “Horses” at 15 years old.
• REM’s turning point was during the fourth album, “Life’s Rich Pageant” in 1986.
• Stipe started fictionalizing the lives of people around him to create more meaningful lyrics.
• The lyric “a feather hits the ground before the weight can leave the air” from “Fall on Me” was inspired by an experiment about gravity and mass.

Michael Stipe’s Solo Album

• Stipe is working on a solo album that is about half done and is not what you might expect, incorporating electronic and ambient music.
• He knew right away that he couldn’t do some ersatz version of R.E.M. and is looking for a different arena to place his voice.
• He starts everything with synthesizer and drums, and about half of the work is beat-heavy disco.
• He is going into some territory that is deeply frightening lyrically, but he believes that if he’s terrified, then he’s doing something right.

Personal Anecdotes and Influences

• Stipe talks about his experience living in New York and Los Angeles.
• He discusses his interest in fashion and his sleeveless look.
• He shares anecdotes about chance encounters and missed opportunities with other musicians and actors.
• Stipe reflects on the influence of The Beatles, Elton John, Patty Smith, and bands that played at CBGB in the mid-70s.

Summary

Michael Stipe: A Multi-Talented Artist and Musician

Michael Stipe, former lead singer of REM, is not only known for his musical career but also for his talents as a visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker. He is currently working on a show of artwork that will debut in Milan in December. Despite considering himself a terrible painter, Stipe creates sculpture pieces and works with various materials. He also uses photography as a way to remember events and places. Stipe’s impact as a musician is evident, with REM being considered one of the first great American post-punk or indie bands. He appreciates when people tell him how his music has impacted their lives and emphasizes the importance of music and being graceful when receiving appreciation. Stipe’s songwriting process involves fictionalizing most of the lyrics he writes, although some are deeply personal. He credits Patti Smith as a major influence and started REM after being inspired by her album “Horses.” The turning point for REM came with their fourth album, “Life’s Rich Pageant,” in 1986, where Stipe started fictionalizing the lives of those around him to create more meaningful lyrics. Stipe is currently working on a solo album that deviates from expectations, incorporating electronic and ambient music. He approaches the album with a sense of fear and believes that if he’s terrified, then he’s doing something right. Stipe’s personal anecdotes include his experiences living in New York and Los Angeles, his interest in fashion, and chance encounters with other musicians and actors. He reflects on the influence of The Beatles, Elton John, Patty Smith, and bands that played at CBGB in the mid-70s.

Conclusion

Michael Stipe’s interview on the “SmartLess” podcast provides insights into his multifaceted artistic career and his thoughts on music, songwriting, and activism. From his impact as the former lead singer of REM to his upcoming solo album, Stipe continues to push boundaries and explore new artistic territories. His reflections on personal influences and experiences add depth to the conversation, making this episode a must-listen for fans of REM and those interested in the creative process of a renowned artist.