Bent By Nature - Ep. 8: Half A World Away (with Michael Stipe)

<p>It’s September of 1984. And Deirdre is head over heels for a fast-rising quartet from Athens, Georgia called <strong>R.E.M</strong>. In just a few years, the band’s music will be inescapable on commercial and college radio alike — and their massive success will mark a turning point for the American musical underground.</p> <p>“There were moments when R.E.M., my former band, were hugely popular,” says ex-singer <strong>Michael Stipe</strong>. “And we were able to really push the boundaries of what's acceptable within mainstream culture. KCRW and Deirdre and ‘SNAP!’ were doing the same thing.”<br /><br />Stipe was a close friend of Deirdre’s, and of the countless bands who passed through their orbit. He gave <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/bent-by-nature/music-could-be-your-whole-life"><strong>Concrete Blonde</strong></a> their name; produced <strong>Vic Chesnutt</strong>’s first two albums; and introduced Deirdre to <strong>Hugo Largo</strong>, which led to their signing with <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/bent-by-nature/brian-eno">Brian Eno</a>’s record label. In this episode, Stipe reflects on his life in LA in the mid-’80s, at a time when he and Deirdre were kindred spirits.</p>