Michael Stipe perceives the photographer's role as that of a mirror to their era. Throughout his career, including his time as the enigmatic frontman of R.E.M., he has seen photography as an extension of his memory. Acknowledged as a profound influence on musicians such as Thom Yorke or Kurt Cobain, Stipe humbly shares how he tries to remove his ego and himself in his photography and publications. In this interview he sits down with one of our creative directors and talks about how his books— each portraying an evolution— show distinct interpretations of the analog and digital worlds. He talks about his heroes, artists, and photographers who helped shape his style.
