A few hours ago R.E.M. have revealed their farewell single, appropriately titled “We All Go Back To Where We Belong”. The single is currently being streamed on Rolling Stone’s website, and it will appear, together with two new songs, “Hallelujah” and “A Month of Saturdays” on the band’s upcoming retrospective Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011. Listen to the new song here.
Eburban has published tributes by some musicians who have been R.E.M. fans and collaborated with band members throughout the years. In particular, I recommend an entry by Marylin Carino of the Mudville fame, where she recalls her collaboration with Mike Mills. Here are a few excerpts:
“Mike has a pure love of music and being a musician, and when he talks about music that he likes he’s like a teenage fanboy. He told me stories of how thrilled and humbled he was to jam with some New Orleans musicians right after Katrina, and also when R.E.M. went to South America and played ‘Losing My Religion’ unplugged, sitting in a rainforest with a group of native people. One time we stayed up all night playing stoned improvisational music in his cosy home studio in Athens, me on piano and him on saxophone! It was some of the most fun I’ve had playing music.”
“He’s a major rock star, a world traveler, very sophisticated about art, food, politics. But he also is, first and foremost, a serious musician that loves to play.”
Read the rest here.
Tags: A Month of Saturdays, Hallelujah, Marylin Carino, Mike Mills, Mudville, Part Lies Part Heart Part Truth Part Garbage: 1982-1922, R.E.M., We All Go Back To Where We Belong
October 18th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for finding this. I was actually at that gig – news got out that Mike would be there and I was living in New York at the time so how could I resist. I recall very little of the music played that night but do remember the shock of walking towards the club and finding Mike just hanging out on the street. I was too shy to say anything but it was wonderful to see him play at such a small venue. So that’s teh preamble to saying it’s great to read such a lovely tribute from one of the band.
I keep meaning to comment here as I love the idea of a site focussing just on Mike. Hopefully he’ll continue to provide us with music to enjoy in the coming years.
October 19th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Hiya Helen! Thanks for dropping by! Yeah, we all hope that Mike will continue to write music… right now as we speak, perhaps there’s a solo record in the making? *off to pray*
October 30th, 2011 at 3:19 am
Just to alert people who maybe haven’t seen it, there’s a brief interview with Mike in the current issue of Uncut (the one with Tom Waits on the cover) and he does mention his interest in doing a solo album as well as working with other musicians.
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:27 pm
And just today, on BBC U.K., in an interview with Michael, Mike said he would be letting the ..dust settle and would probably record a solo album. The fun part, was Michael, who had told Mike he had to call his new venture, “The Mike Mills Experience” featuring Mike Mills. LOL.
The interview can be heard on bbc.co.uk It is a wonderful interview with the guys.
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:04 am
Thanks Linda! I will have to make a new news post, this is too good to miss. I have found a few other interviews with Mike, is it just me or he is already on a publicity roll for his forthcoming solo effort?
November 3rd, 2011 at 3:28 pm
And other great news – Mike will be part of a concert performance of Big Star’s Third album in London in the Spring. I’ve no idea if I can get there but I’m going to do my best.
http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=12859
November 3rd, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Yaaaayyyy! That’s brilliant Helen! I’m SO gonna be there.
November 6th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
hi Ivana how are you ??
so ,so happy to know that Mike Mills will play some time soon!!!!!! : ) how about if we all get together to see this concert in london?? can you send me the links of the new interviews,please? great week to all !!!danny lima.
November 9th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Of course Danny! I’m going to London for sure – I cannot miss this concert! We’ll keep in touch here. If you are planning to go, do get those tickets quickly before they sell out.