You can’t find Micahel Stipe of REM’s new solo single “Your Capricious Soul: on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or almost anywhere else. Stipe’s solo debut is currently available exclusively on MichaelStipe.com.
The new release was timed to coincide with October 7th’s “International Rebellion” climate justice protests and for the next 365 days Stipe is redirecting all earnings from sales and synchronization licensing to Extinction Rebellion to help aid their non-violent protests of government inaction to the climate emergency.
The download is priced at 77 cents or whatever the fan wants to pay. The release is accompanied by a video work by acclaimed artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson.
Explaining this unusual release strategy, Stipe said,
“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.”