Frontmen never quit music.
Since disbanding R.E.M in 2011, little has been heard from Michael Stipe, the band's mercurial frontman, for whom a solo career looked like a sure bet following the Athens, Georgia band's demise.
Stipe has made his foray back into music in conjunction with another interest of his: film. Having served as an executive producer on many art house movies, such as Velvet Goldmine, Man on the Moon and Being John Malkovich, Stipe, 54, has soundtracked a film titled The Cold Lands, which is directed by his friend Tom Gilroy, director of 2007's excellent Michael Clayton, starring George Clooney.
Stipe collaborated on the songs with fellow Athens, Georgia musician Andy LeMaster, who has played on numerous Saddle Creek releases, including those of Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes.
Speaking to Salon, who are currently streaming a clip from the film that features Stipe's contribution, Stipe was, typically, in a reflective mood.
"This is, in fact, the first thing that I've done musically since REM disbanded. So, of course, I wanted it to be for something that meant a lot to me. That was important... I knew I wasn't going to sing, so that made it easier," said Stipe to Salon, who are currently streaming a clip from the film, which features a snippet of Stipe's soundtrack.
Speaking of his ideas for the soundtrack, Stipe seemed aware of what it is like to write to order.
"I tried to bring groove... I probably would have done something much quieter. But I knew that he [Gilroy] wanted something that had a beat, so that was great because it really pushed me. I'm happy with where it landed. It felt to me like a great first project.”