Michael Stipe | Broken Record (Hosted by Rick Rubin)
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Today we have a conversation between old friends Rick Rubin and Michael Stipe. Along with his former band R.E.M., Stipe's expert, open-hearted lyrics gave voice to the sensitive and misunderstood among us with hits like “The One I Love,” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Losing My Religion.”
After R.E.M. broke up a little over a decade ago, Stipe followed other creative pursuits like photography. But now Stipe has found his way back to music and is working on his first ever solo album.
On today’s episode, Michael plays Rick his new song, “Future If Future” produced by Andy LeMaster. Michael Stipe also talks about why he decided to record a solo album, and how he always intended to be super famous-and what it was like when that actually happened.
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What REM gave weirdos living in small towns and cities across the country was a soothing voice from the outer-realms of struggle and reflection and love.
Yes. I was a weirdo living in a small town. And my what comfort it gave me.
What a wonderful summary. I could not agree more.
This is so true. I'm one of them weirdos.
one of the great American bands...what freaking great band REM was...so great...couldn't think of another word...just greatness
Stipey was incredibly lucky to find Peter Buck and Mills and Berry. They had great musical chemistry. Peter Buck was a brilliant guitarist, Mills did great backing vocals and Berry was an excellent drummer. They were perfect together! They made great music together.
Mills secret weapon.
@@jude999 Definitely. If you listen to his bass lines, they are NEVER obvious. And yeah, he has a killer voice and great sensibility for backing vocals. Secret weapon for sure!
@@swedishchefhands00 He also wrote/played virtually all the keyboard parts too.
@@davedavid427 Nightswimming being just one of his arrangements.
He was a kucjy as they all wereel One of the most iconic voices in rock history, Yes they are a great band, especially Mills.
I read about R.E.M. for the first time in Trouser Press Magazine! They reviewed an e.p.--Chronic Town. They mentioned the Byrds so that alone was impetus for me to check them out. I'll never forget sitting in my living room at the family console with headphones listening "Wolves Lower" for the first time. I was a huge of the Beatles and am pop radio here in Los Angeles. They sounded like no one else I had ever heard! Stipe's voice was haunting, thrilling and the band was mystical----from outer space--textures, rhythms and super hooks as well. These were instant classics to me--absolutely original. I was in college at that time and played their music for everyone I knew. I proclaimed that they (along with Blondie earlier) would eventually be one of the biggest bands on the planet. Some of them liked it, but many didn't understand this music in the swirl of 80's synth pop at the time. At that time R.E.M., the Smiths, the dBs, Lets Active, Television--these artists would shape my listening and songwriting for decades to come. Awesome interview! Inspiring and nostalgic.
Absolutely the best interview I’ve heard from Michael Stipe and Rick Rubin that gives so much information from the past that I grew up with. Grabs your heartstrings. Love hearing every musician they mentioned that crossed their paths, brings back such good memories. Michael Stipe is one of a kind and really good in speaking and using words to express his feelings. Love REM
'Shiny happy people' was my summer song of 91 ( i was 10 )and I still adore it. I dont know what my life would have been without REM. Its the music that's playing quietly in my soul. Thank you Rick and Michael for this, enjoyed this loads xx
“It’s the music that’s playing quietly in my soul”… I love that!
@@spinswimscream25 if you turned up the volume 'In time' is playing.
REM are one of the truly great bands of our time, not many bands can create consistently brilliant albums for decades. Stipe's voice is truly amazing.
I've been doing Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight over and over again in Karaoke. Stipe? That dude can SING!
When I transferred to UGA in '79 I was already interested in punk and new wave, but had no idea that Athens was on the cusp of becoming the center of alternative music (though we didn't call it that then). I hadn't happened onto the local scene, but one night I decided to go see the University Union show featuring the Atlanta band The Brains. The Brains were a big deal because Rolling Stone had featured their song "Money Changes Everything." Some local, new band was opening for The Brains that night, and I was lucky enough to see the future of rock-n-roll music there in the Memorial Hall Ballroom. I think it was only R.E.M.'s 3rd public performance, but frankly, The Brains never had a chance. From the very beginning R.E.M. was a great band. I've been a fan since.
Yeah they are totally committed to the establishment
Dead Letter Office deserves its own podcast, the best outtake album of all time.
Word
I love how self-effacing and modest and grateful Michael is.
A couple years ago I kept having the thought that I wish I could hear Rick Rubin being interviewed in depth, but this is so much better than my idea.
How does this podcast have only 78 thousand subscribers here? Rick Rubin is a world-class interviewer.
He does not do background research.
nah he's rather boring
REM are never in the past tense for me.Vital.So many great songs, a ton.Michael's melody and lyrical crafting is unsurpassable.
Michael is one of the greatest artists of our time with his ability to look inside and paint beautiful strokes of genius. I definitely want to hear his new music. Thank you for a fantastic interview into how and why he gave us his music
Thank you for this 🤍
Great that he focussed on Country Feedback and World Leader Pretend so fondly as I considered those two amongst their very very best.
I had to keep stopping this every 5-10 minutes to absorb what Michael and Rick just said, this was a really great experience. Thanks.
In an age of narcissism, Michael’s display of a healthy confidence and self belief is refreshing.
as great as he was, at singing songs, i would not say he completely declined from engaging in narcissism
Christ complex... Bonoism
Another incredible interview Rick! Michael’s reflections are full of such wisdom: “I love pretension- it allows you to rise above yourself”.
Great interview! The look back to Stipe’s interest in punk rock, Patti Smith and the Athens music scene of the 70’s and 80’s is a great listen. The news of a new album is great! Will be buying it. Thanks Broken Records/Rick Rubin.
Loved this in-depth conversation! As a really big fan of REM’s music I barely know anything about the people behind it. Michael Stipe is so intelligent and articulate. ❤
There is a huge generation who wouldn't recognize Stipe. I'm getting old
Nice to hear an interview with one of my favorite performers. R.E.M. means so much to so many people, but the music speaks for itself even after all these years. Michael Stipe has that curious balance of insecurity and confidence that makes him even more interesting. It was great seeing them many times, but finally meeting each member of the band out in front of their tour buses at DAR Constitution Hall in DC was a highlight for me. Michael took the time to meet and autograph each fan's items. They were a truly unique band, with their own unique sound that still stands alone. To me his speaking voice is interesting, and of course his singing voice is certainly one of the best in rock and roll. Losing My Religion was so incredibly popular, but at the same time, such a great R.E.M. folk song in the truest sense, perhaps like, maps and legends, find the river, or king of birds, or Fretless, or Flowers of Guatemala, or Letter Never Sent, or so many others. Sure it could have been just like any of their other super great songs that nobody hears, but fortunately or unfortunately, us true long-time R.E.M. fans have to share it with the rest of the world! I enjoy recording their music, and you can find many of my cover versions on UA-cam across my various channels. Here's one:. ua-cam.com/video/d1PtBwuonHw/v-deo.html
I'm Sorry, here's my favorite! ua-cam.com/video/L9hQBZBrsWs/v-deo.html
rick has a way of making his interview subjects feel at such ease, a recording device is just an incidental piece to the dialogue.
I was never a huge REM fan but can respect his artistry and humble nature. Good interview as always.
Listen to automatic for the people if you haven't.
One of my favorite REM songs “What’s the Frequency Kenneth”
I love listening to these conversations.
So very interesting, fascinating and fullof knowledge.
I like-no, love-the way Michael Stipe annotates practically all of his references and name drops (even his former R.E.M. band mates!) for the people who don't know. Hugely empathetic, and so considerate.
Wonderful interview! Michael we love your super power. Please continue to use it to help Mankind. Thank you.
In your youth, go for everything you can get, within limits. In your wisdom do anything that appeals to your personal mission to help others.
And prop up the establishment just like Michael does
As a teen in Athens in the late 80s, REM meant the world to me. Thanks guys.
REM was one of the most formative bands of my youth. Document was the first album I owned of theirs on cassette tape. The song welcome to the occupation opened up a tragic but important world for me. One of the things that I would want to talk to Michael Stipe about was his inspiration for that song, considering what was happening in South America at the time. I want to know if the song is directly confronting American imperialism as it seems it is, and how he came to the knowledge that this was going on under our noses. Anyhow many songs from R.E.M. Make me tear up in pride or sorrow. Much love
1983 had not only Thriller but majorly successful records by the Police, Talking Heads, David Bowie, U2, ZZ Top, and a few others, so album of the year is truly remarkable..
Benny And The Jets. Couldn't agree more.
He is literally articulating exactly what I felt.
Things got bad with adultlife, I like that.
Rick's voice is the most soothing sound. Very calming.
Agree .. rick is a guy I'd like to chill with in a pub .. actually I hate pubs... but u get what I mean 😄
@@MM1717mm lol
I started with Document on cassette purchased at the PX in Ft.Benning. Didn't even know at the time I was in their home state. It was always the inner album songs that kept me listening to them and not the "hits". Stipe was not blessed with cathedral pipes. But he turned his voice into a strange eclectic instrument. He's really is a creative genius
I was NOT expecting my hometown band "MASTERS of REALITY" to be mentioned in this interview!!!! For my own musical history - finding REM in the first few albums was finding a musical, artist home that I had no idea that existed.
Rick Rubin is the best interviewer in our world. But to hear Stipe being interviewed….. no more words!
What an absolute joy
REM’s like first 10 albums are all actual classics. Certainly everything through Automatic. Thank god for them they gave me so many beautiful experiences with music. And the inspiration is endless.
Thank you so much for this beautiful conversation ❤️
so goooddd listening to michael, i remember reading an interview with thom yorke where he said that when radiohead started to become a huge global sensation, michael stipe was the one who taught thom how to deal with success. would be awwweeeesome if you guys can arrange a rick rubin-thom yorke interview!! :)
Looking forward to Thom Yorke as well!
I enjoyed listening to this podcast/interview with Michael all over again!
Loved this interview and the insights from MS. REM is much like many great bands---in that each member brings this "amazing thing" that they do---that mixed together creates something brilliant.
Great episode! Loved hearing about writing Losing my Religion!
I had listened to REM extensively during the 1980's and followed their evolution during that time in the sense that it almost mirrored mine own in some ways. It was really cool to have an American band holding their own in the midst of a post-punk wave of British bands, and kicking-ass in the process. When the 1980's ended I found myself married (sheesh I hadn't had a girlfriend in about 5-years), and was going through a BIG born yesterday Christian phase. The song "Losing My Religion" coincided with the time where I realized I ultimately couldn't out run the old me despite all the new titles I was wearing.
yes the best interview of Michael Stipe. finally
“Write drunk edit sober!”
Hey Mike...the"inspiration/perspiration " thing was Thomas Edison....Great to hear that you have got a new record coming out....love the show Rick
micheal stipe is better than most of us. thank you, sir.
That interview was delightful. Thanks so much.
Thank you for this interview.
Love from Croatia.It is great to hear Michael and Rick.Interesting talk👏
I was at the Shea stadium gig, with The Police, I remember the first time I heard REM it sounded so muddy and thick and I think I yelled out "What is this!?" "Who are these guys?" they were off before you knew it and the Police/ Jett show was spectacular. REM would go on the be one of my favorite bands for decades, glad I got to see them there.
The world needs REM. There are a few bright spots but Pop/Rock in general are the worst they’ve ever been.
Awesome hearing these two giants speak in the same interview 🙌🏽
I was a huge fan peaking at the moment of the Green world tour where I saw them and it was so great. Pretty soon that I discovered the Grateful Dead and that I could see them live and I was pretty quickly off on the Dead tour but right before that was REM for me... Murmur was my favorite album in the world when it came out and I thought Michael Stipe was a music god when I was a senior in high school.
Love this...thank you.
I (we--the collective) "enjoy your voice" as well. REM... the soundtrack of transition from high school to college/ young adulthood. P.S.) Have always thought the "young Michael Stipe's" jaw line should be chiseled in marble. Gorgeous fella and human. So good to see and hear you around and amongst again. --signed, a fellow speed talker (who doesn't perceive it as such...). :)
Great interview. I had forgotten who Rick Rubin is until Stipe mentioned his collaboration with Johnny Cash.
Fantastic interview.
as a person who was in Athens during this time it was amazing
Insightful interview. I was at the prime college age when Reckoning and Fables of the Reconstruction/Reconstruction of the Fables (my favorite REM album) came out and Stipe mumbled and you had to make up your own heady lyrics lol
Put Athens on the map! Not to mention defined the alt-rock sound for decades to come.
Black and white pics are the best.
Omg the 1 penny record club rocks!!!!
I love this interview this is really good
I love micheal stipe. Rem made my adolescence better than anythingbit listening to him speak makes me anxious af.
I was 16 when discovered REM was doing my youth training scheme in Scotland for £29 50 a week in Ayr
Each week would buy a tape and get a few beers and listen to them on my old stereo 1st stereo loved how those early records sounded freaked my metal head friends out but they ended up loving them too in the end
REM had me at Lower Wolves. Forever and always. Memories of the SF Old Waldorf 1981.
I recently learned of rem's collaborations with Warren Zevon. I wish they had made more stuff together and recorded it seriously. Two of my all time faves.
Check out sentimental hygiene by Zevon (if you haven't already).
Rem was his backup band
Hindu Love Gods !
Collapse Into Now is so good
Losing my religion is one of the best vocal performances on a record
Well said,I feel it's one of those Songs that you can still hear at the Supermarket, that on the right day, can really Transcend.
I’m in Hawaii and in 1983 I remember a local KPOI radio DJ (Andy Preston) playing this song and saying this band will be the next big thing…. Radio Free Europe by REM. Loved them ever since. 🤙🏼
Where were u ?
Hi.where big isle,?
@@davidkenneth3983 Honolulu.
who was the singer he mentioned? Galen.... ? from Minneapolis
This really is not long enough. Stipe ,while open and obviously a good guy, is a little high strung and seemed to just be getting comfortable about the time it ended
Amazing
Got to see REM the 1st time in Charleston WV right around Document tour October 1987 let me tell you just amazing
How he carefully did not mention Shiny Happy People as the follow-up single for Losing My Religion 😄
I love how animated Michael is in this interview.
R.E.M. broke up way too soon as they were still putting out great music.
I didn't think I'd like these interviews as much as I do, but man, they rule.
Bashing the carcrashians! I love it Michael!
IIs future is future a very recent song?? I'm seeing it was released in 2018. 4 yrs ago. Asking for a friend. Good interview b.t.w Rick
Fabulous interview 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Weirdly, I'm currently obsessed by the production on 'Rock On'.
p.s. Don't pepper your first solo lp with 'special guests'... just 'Michael Stipe' will do.
Brilliant
R.E.M. brought melody and harmony back to guitar-based music. Albeit sadly, by their 5th album, the distortion pedal was in use full time and Stipe's singing was entirely intelligible. Broke my heart.
Monster was a great album, stop moping.
While REM were doing it in America, The Smiths were changing music in England.
There are certainly parallels of genius with these 2 bands and they are both in my soundtrack of life.
The drummer had the talent he wrote everything
Such a great, fucking interview
I'm inspired by REMs songwriting : )
Yeah it was more punk rock to be REM than anything else at that time. Murmur and the early hits hit me super hard when I listen now. Also our skate punk crew clocked hella hours of REM/ Firehose and others at the old half pipe! haha
Very good loved this pod cast a lot
Just come here after Rick's Interview with Rick Beato.
Interesting that Stipe deliberately and intentionally slowed down the tempo of his vocal to be just a hair slower than the band's urgent pressing tempo; that languid lag was so much the key to Chronic Town and Murmur's intrigue for me.
Love Todd Eberly!!!
Thought you were gonna play "Future if Future". Maybe I missed it, but I don't think I fell asleep. lol
Listen to the version available on podcast apps!
R.E.M. is my favorite band, but what exactly are "expert lyrics", pray tell?
First Rick decisively said that he is coming to Milan to Michael's exhibition and then at the very end he said that "maybe" he's coming to Milan.
Great two hour interview....
Michael Stipe always looks like hes going to a business meeting at mcDonalds lol
I’ve always been pissed at Stipe for disrespecting The Beatles in an older interview, but he redeemed himself a little bit with me for praising Elton John