Hello friends – long time no see! Alas, even the most ardent bloggers sometimes have to take a break, in order to deal with real-life challenges and commitments.
Anyway I’m back, and I’ve just updated the Interviews – Audio page with some old/new interviews. Happy download!
As for recent news, I expect y’all know that our REMboys have finished (at last!) their fifteenth album; the final recording/editing/tarting up session took place in Nashville. REMHQ has posted some cool photos and videos of Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and the rest of the team from the studio. The band has also announced the release of a brand new live DVD (their fourth in six years!); the show was filmed on 13 March 2008 and broadcast as a part of the famous Austin City Limits series. Find more information on this DVD, which will be released on 26 October, here. Also, the benefit album Dear New Orleans is still available to download from Amazon and other outlets, and it’s a bargain – you’ll get over thirty tracks for a measly eight bucks. Therefore, if you haven’t already done so, please read this nice review and go purchase the album, to help rebuild the legendary city where R.E.M. recorded some of their best albums.
As for the news that didn’t make it onto REMHQ, our golf-loving hero Mike Mills participated in the PGA Tour Roundtable on 31 August. I have added the entire discussion to our Press Archive here. To be honest, I have absolutely no idea what the hell they’re talking about, but one thing I can tell: if Mike ever decides to hang up his globetrotting-musician’s boots, he’ll most certainly have a successful career as a sports commentator.
Speaking of sports, Mike has also been listed among the celebrities who are hardcore baseball – and fantasy baseball – fans. Okay, so one would expect to find HIM on the list, but Meat Loaf? Geddy Lee?! Classic.
Mike Mills was also present at the Americana Music Association’s 9th Annual Honors and Awards ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville on 10 September. Obviously, he wasn’t nominated for any awards, but he surely took the opportunity to don his cowboy hat.
Read more here.
Another thing. If you have $900+ to spare, the autographed St Blues Guitar from the Big Star Concert/Tribute to the late Alex Chilton is currently being auctioned, to raise money for Alex’s widow Laura and their son. The guitar was signed by Jody Stephens, Ken Stringfellow, Jon Auer, Mike Mills, Brendan Benson, Sondre Lerche, Amy Speace, Susan Marshall, Jimmy Stephens and John Davis. You may find more information here on eBay, where you can also place a bid.
That’s all folks! Comments are open.
Tags: Alex Chilton, Amy Speace, Austin City Limits, Big Star, Brendan Benson, Dear New Orleans, Geddy Lee, Jimmy Stephens, Jody Stephens, John Davis, Jon Auer, Ken Stringfellow, Meat Loaf, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Nashville, New Orleans, Peter Buck, R.E.M., Sondre Lerche, Susan Marshall
September 27th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Well comeback Ivana! Unfortunately the guitar is too much for me, but I bought the cd “Dear New Orleans”. An amazing cd for a wonderful cause!
September 27th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Glad to be back! I’ve found a great treat for y’all, I’ll post it in a few hours.
September 27th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
September 27th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Keyword: 1985.
September 27th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Hey there! Welcome home!
How’s the progress on the Ph.D. coming? Do you have to do an oral defense?
September 28th, 2010 at 4:53 am
I submitted my dumb thesis two weeks ago, yay! I do have to defend it though, my viva is scheduled for 4th November – wish me luck! My teaching contract also expires this year, so now I’m busy filling in shitloads of job application/research proposal forms.