In the wake of R.E.M.'s 2011 breakup, frontman Michael Stipe is at last ready to launch his solo music career. This weekend, Stipe will be releasing his first proper solo release — a song called "Your Capricious Soul."
The track and its accompanying video will be released on Saturday (October 5) via his website. As a press release explains, the song release coincides with October 7's "International Rebellion" climate justice protests. As such for the next 365 days, Stipe will send all earnings from the track to Extinction Rebellion "to help aid their work of non-violent protest of government inaction to the climate emergency."
The song will be exclusive to his website upon release and not appear on major streaming platforms. The download will cost you 77 cents, but you can also donate more if you choose. A free option will also be available.
The song's accompanying music video will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.
Explaining the release of "Your Capricious Soul" in a statement, Stipe said the following:
I took a long break from music, and I wanted to jump back in. I love "Your Capricious Soul" — it's my first solo work. I want to add my voice to this exciting shift in consciousness. Extinction Rebellion gave me the incentive to push the release and not wait. Our relationship to the environment has been a lifelong concern, and I now feel hopeful — optimistic, even. I believe we can bring the kind of change needed to improve our beautiful planet earth, our standing and our place on it.
Stipe previously debuted "Your Capricious Soul" live onstage earlier this year, and you can watch footage of that performance below.
As previously reported back in June, Stipe is said to have 18 songs ready for a yet-to-be-determined release, though no further details have been revealed.
The track and its accompanying video will be released on Saturday (October 5) via his website. As a press release explains, the song release coincides with October 7's "International Rebellion" climate justice protests. As such for the next 365 days, Stipe will send all earnings from the track to Extinction Rebellion "to help aid their work of non-violent protest of government inaction to the climate emergency."
The song will be exclusive to his website upon release and not appear on major streaming platforms. The download will cost you 77 cents, but you can also donate more if you choose. A free option will also be available.
The song's accompanying music video will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.
Explaining the release of "Your Capricious Soul" in a statement, Stipe said the following:
I took a long break from music, and I wanted to jump back in. I love "Your Capricious Soul" — it's my first solo work. I want to add my voice to this exciting shift in consciousness. Extinction Rebellion gave me the incentive to push the release and not wait. Our relationship to the environment has been a lifelong concern, and I now feel hopeful — optimistic, even. I believe we can bring the kind of change needed to improve our beautiful planet earth, our standing and our place on it.
Stipe previously debuted "Your Capricious Soul" live onstage earlier this year, and you can watch footage of that performance below.
As previously reported back in June, Stipe is said to have 18 songs ready for a yet-to-be-determined release, though no further details have been revealed.
