R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe recently revealed his own plans to release his debut solo album sometime next year. While speaking about the upcoming album in a recent interview with Departures, he stated that, “I’m working on a solo album, my first. I’m collaborating with a bunch of different musicians, and each of those songs, if I get my way – which I think I will because I’m paying for it – will be very different. I have no management. I have no label. For the first time in my adult life, I don’t have a contract with anyone except myself. So I get to do whatever I want. Anyway, there will be a visual representation for each of the songs, and it should come together next year. I’m hoping to build slowly.”
Stipe also talked about his plans to conduct an art show in Milan and his next book with Italian publisher Damiani. He confirmed that he had considered quitting music back in 2011 when R.E.M. disbanded.
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