REM's Michael Stipe to release single on eco-friendly vinyl

It is the first commercially available 12” vinyl made from bioplastics.

By ROLLING STONE

IN SPANISH

ADAM BERRY/GETTY IMAGES

Michael Stipe has confirmed that he will release a single on environmentally friendly vinyl, in support of the EarthPercent Foundation.

The record, which will also include a single by Anglo-American Beatie Wolfe, is the first commercially available 12” vinyl made from bioplastics. The titles available on the disc will be 'Future, If Future', with which Stipe debuted as a solo artist in 2018, and Wolfe's 'Oh My Heart'.

EarthPercent, which this time collaborates with Evolution Music, was founded by Brian Eno, and has previously collaborated with Coldplay, Anna Calvi, JARV IS..., and Eno and Stipe themselves. In April, the foundation released singles donated by these artists through Bandcamp with proceeds to support their cause.

Regarding the vinyl, the former REM vocalist commented: “I am very excited to be working with EarthPercent and Evolution Music on this release, envisioning positive innovation through action. Simply showing that this type of solution-based projects is possible paves the way for a better future.”

For his part, Wolfe said he wrote 'Oh My Heart' as a "cry for the planet and humanity," adding that he "couldn't think of a better way to make it available in a tangible way."

Pre-orders for the double single start on September 2 and are limited to 500 units.