Rolling Stone Magazine features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record
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.
Yahoo News features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
REM official website announce LIMITED EDITION 12” with Michael Stipe and Beatie Wolfe
First Ever Bioplastic Record Features Michael’s Single
August 31, 2022
This Friday, the world’s first EVER commercially available bioplastic record goes on sale – this LIMITED EDITION 12” with Michael Stipe and Beatie Wolfe will be available from the EarthPercent Bandcamp page for pre-order. Visit Earth Percent for more details.
All proceeds minus Paypal’s processing fees will be added to EarthPercent’s Grantmaking Fund. So you’ll be able to get your hands on incredible, exclusive music AND help fund the most impactful climate organisations as vetted and approved by our Advisory Panel of scientists, activists and climate experts.
#EarthPercentEarthDay #UnleashThePowerOfMusic #NOMUSICONADEADPLANET
CBS News covers Evolution Music's world first Bioplastic record with Stipe and Wolfe
the Vinyl Factory features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
Michael Stipe releasing first commercially available bioplastic record
Written by Lazlo Rugoff
The future’s looking green.
R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe is releasing the world’s first commercially available bioplastic 12” this September.
Unlike traditional records which are pressed on polyvinyl chloride, the 12” has been pressed on bioplastic developed by Evolution Music, which seeks to make the music industry more sustainable.
The record features Stipe’s new Brian Eno-produced track ‘Future if Future’, and Beatie Wolfe’s ‘Oh My Heart’ on the flip.
Limited to 500 copies, it marks the first commercially available bioplastic record.
Previously, the same material – reportedly made from “sugars and starches” – had been used for a split EP released by Music Declares Emergency.
Pre-orders for the Stipe/Wolfe record will launch on Friday 2nd September.
Check out the artwork below, and head over to Evolution Music’s website for more info.
MusicAlly on Michael Stipe and Beatie Wolfe's eco record
NME features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
Michael Stipe to release new climate-friendly vinyl in aid of EarthPercent
The split single, also featuring Beatie Wolfe, will come on the world's first commercially available bioplastic 12" record
By Tom Skinner
31st August 2022
Michael Stipe has announced a special split single with Beatie Wolfe in aid of climate emergency charity EarthPercent.
Founded by Brian Eno in 2021, EarthPercent aims “to offer simple and innovative ways for businesses and artists to donate to the most impactful organisations addressing the climate emergency”.
The organisation marked EarthDay this April by releasing numerous exclusive tracks that had been donated by such artists as Stipe, Coldplay, Eno, Anna Calvi and Jarvis Cocker‘s JARV IS… via Bandcamp.
Proceeds from sales of those songs went towards funding EarthPercent’s five core areas of work: “greening music, energy transition, climate justice, legal and policy change, and protecting nature”.
Today (August 31), it’s been confirmed that the former R.E.M. frontman will release ‘Future, If Future’ – his debut solo track, which originally arrived in 2018 – on the world’s first commercially available bioplastic 12″ vinyl.
The record also features ‘Oh My Heart’ by Beatie Wolfe, and will be available to pre-order here from this Friday (September 2). It’ll be limited to 500 copies.
EarthPercent has teamed up with Evolution Music for the release, marking a “genuinely revolutionary moment for both the music industry and record collectors, offering a non-fossil fuel future for vinyl recordings”.
In a statement, Stipe said: “I’m thrilled to be working with EarthPercent and Evolution Music on this release, imagining positive innovation through action. Simply showing that this type of solution-based project is possible opens pathways to a brighter future.”
Wolfe added: “I’m constantly thinking about how we can take the best of the old and best of the new, bridge the tangible and digital, and reclaim as much as we innovate and this new eco vinyl feels like a perfect embodiment of this.
“I wrote ‘Oh My Heart’ as a cry for the planet and humanity and it was recently encoded in glass and included in the Global Music Vault in Svalbard to be preserved for 10,000 years. So I couldn’t think of a better way to have it tangibly out in the world now.”
Michael Stipe collaborated with Brian Eno on ‘Future, If Future’. Speaking about the song earlier this year, the latter musician explained: “I’m very pleased with the way it’s gone. It’s a very good song, a very Stipe song. Beautiful lyrics, extraordinary piece.”
Last month saw Eno deliver another climate warning with his single ‘There Were Bells’. It’ll appear on his 22nd studio album, ‘FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE’, which is out on October 14.
Topia features Beatie Wolfe to include her and Michael Stipe's new eco record
iHeart Radio features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
Boing Boing features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
Greener records are here: Michael Stipe and Beatie Wolfe featured on first bioplastic vinyl
RUSTY BLAZENHOFF 4:55 AM FRI SEP 2, 2022
Musicians have a greener way to make their records now that Evolution Music is offering non-PVC, bioplastic pressings. Michael Stipe and Beatie Wolfe are the first two artists to release music on this non-fossil fuel vinyl option. The 12" record features two tracks: Stipe's "Future If Future" (which Brian Eno produced) and Wolfe's (absolutely lovely) "Oh My Heart." Sales are limited to 500 copies and support EarthPercent.
Beatie Wolfe awaits the first pressings / image: Ross Harris
Michael Stipe: "I'm thrilled to be working with EarthPercent and Evolution Music on this release, imagining positive innovation through action. Simply showing that this type of solution-based project is possible opens pathways to a brighter future."
Beatie Wolfe: "It's been fantastic to join forces with EarthPercent on the environmental front and for this very special release with Michael Stipe. I'm constantly thinking about how we can take the best of the old and best of the new, bridge the tangible and digital, and reclaim as much as we innovate and this new eco vinyl feels like a perfect embodiment of this. I wrote "Oh My Heart" as a cry for the planet and humanity and it was recently encoded in glass and included in the Global Music Vault in Svalbard to be preserved for 10,000 years. So I couldn't think of a better way to have it tangibly out in the world now."
Photos: Beatie Wolfe and Ross Harris (used with permission)
Digital Music News features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record
Michael Stipe Releases First Commercially Available ‘BioPlastic Vinyl’
September 5, 2022
Will bioplastic vinyl albums become the future? R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe releases the first commercially available alternative this year.
Traditional vinyl records are pressed on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is considered one of the most environmentally damaging plastics. It’s a highly versatile and relatively inexpensive material, but the process to create the material uses chlorine. The music industry is seeking alternatives to vinyl for a more sustainable future and bioplastic vinyl may be the answer.
Michael Stipe’s new bioplastic 12″ was part of Bandcamp Friday promotion, limited to 500 copies. The record features two tracks, including “Future if Future” and Beatie Wolfe’s “Oh My Heart” on the flip side. The release was made possible by Evolution Music.
“I’m thrilled to be working with EarthPercent and Evolution Music on this release, imagining positive innovation through action,” says Michael Stipe about the initiative. “Simply showing that this type of solution-based project is possible opens pathways to a brighter future.”
Evolution Music says the bioplastic vinyl is made from a combination of “sugars and starches.” They previously partnered with UK-based environmental group Music Declares Emergency to debut new bioplastic vinyls in that country. That special edition release was only available to people who donated to the crowdfunding campaign, while Stipe’s record was commercially available on Bandcamp Friday.
Curious to know more about Evolution Music and the bioplastic vinyl records they’re creating? NPR’s Rachel Martin spoke with the company to discuss how the company is seeking to change the impact of vinyl now that it’s experiencing a resurgence in popularity. “I want sustainable products in a 21st century environment,” Marc Carey, CEO of Evolution Music says. “So I had to form a new company and do it myself.”
The big question here is how much does bioplastic sound like the vinyl made from PVC? Evolution Music says the sound quality is extremely high. “We believe the quality is extremely high, just about as high as vinyl. Maybe 95%,” Producer Rob Cass told CBS News about the new technology.
Blood Records Founder Craig Evans says he couldn’t believe the sound quality from the bioplastic vinyl. “The first time I heard one of those test pressings, I couldn’t believe what I was listening to was basically made of bioplastic and plant waste.”
Vinyl sales in the United States alone topped $1 billion in 2021. That’s the first time they’ve achieved that number since the 1980s before CDs made vinyl old-fashioned. Evolution Music says once it has its bioplastic production is in full swing, these albums will cost much the same as current PVC vinyl records.
RTE features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
What-Hi features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
Consequence of Sound features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record
Canada's Exclaim features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record
Michael Stipe to Release New Eco-Friendly Bioplastic Charity Vinyl
The world's first commercially available bioplastic 12-inch record will support Brian Eno's climate emergency charity EarthPercent
Published Aug 31, 2022
Everybody hurts sometimes; including our planet.
Former R.E.M. bandleader Michael Stipe has announced a special split single with Beatie Wolfe in aid of Brian Eno-founded climate emergency charity EarthPercent.
Stipe's debut solo track, 2018's "Future Is Future," will be released on the world's first commercially available bioplastic 12-inch record alongside Wolfe's "Oh My Heart." Limited to 500 copies, the vinyl will be available to preorder this Friday (September 2).
"I'm thrilled to be working with EarthPercent and Evolution Music on this release, imagining positive innovation through action," Stipe said in a statement. "Simply showing that this type of solution-based project is possible opens pathways to a brighter future."
EarthPercent is an initiative dedicated to offering "simple and innovative ways for businesses and artists to donate to the most impactful organizations addressing the climate emergency."
The organization celebrated Earth Day back in April with the release of numerous exclusive tracks from artists like Stipe and Eno, Coldplay, Jarvis Cocker's JARV IS..., Anna Calvi and more. Bandcamp sales of those songs benefitted EarthPercent's five core areas of work: "greening music, energy transition, climate justice, legal and policy change, and protecting nature."
Earlier this month, Dutch vinyl company Green Vinyl Records shared news of their novel pressing technology, which uses just 10 percent of the energy required by the standard technique and foregoes polyvinyl chloride (PVC) — which has been identified as the most environmentally damaging of plastics — for polyethylene terephthalate (Pet), a less-harmful material that is equally durable and easily recyclable, suggesting that vinyl could go green by losing its namesake.
Evolution Music CEO Marc Carey has a similar theory: he's spent the last four years working on an eco-friendly secret recipe (including sugars and starches) to make vinyl out of bioplastic, which doesn't create any toxic waste [via CBS News].
Producer Rob Cass told the news outlet that the quality of the bioplastic records Carey's company is creating was comparable to the industry standard: "We believe the quality is extremely high, just about as high as vinyl," he said. "Maybe 95 percent."
That's one imitation of life we could definitely stand to implement at the combination vinyl boom-climate emergency.
Far Out Magazine features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
Michael Stipe to release new climate-friendly vinyl in aid of EarthPercent
WED 31ST AUG 2022 18.23 BST
Former R.E.M. frontman, Michael Stipe, has announced a special collaborative single with Beatie Wolfe in aid of climate protection charity EarthPercent.
Founded by Brian Eno in 2021, EarthPercent aims “to offer simple and innovative ways for businesses and artists to donate to the most impactful organisations addressing the climate emergency”.
Eno’s organisation has already started to gain traction with the backing of countless bigwigs in the music business. Back in April, the organisation celebrated EarthDay by releasing numerous exclusive tracks donated by such artists as Stipe, Coldplay, Eno, Anna Calvi, and Jarvis Cocker‘s JARV IS, via Bandcamp.
Proceeds from all sales of these songs were donated to the EarthPercent fund, which focuses on five core areas of development: “greening music, energy transition, climate justice, legal and policy change, and protecting nature.”
Today, it’s been confirmed that the former R.E.M. frontman will release ‘Future, If Future’, his debut solo single initially released in 2018, on the world’s first commercially available bioplastic 12″ vinyl.
The record also features ‘Oh My Heart’ by Beatie Wolfe and will be available for pre-order here from Friday, September 2nd. The run will be limited to 500 copies.
EarthPercent has teamed up with Evolution Music for the release, marking a “genuinely revolutionary moment for both the music industry and record collectors, offering a non-fossil fuel future for vinyl recordings”.
In a statement, Stipe said: “I’m thrilled to be working with EarthPercent and Evolution Music on this release, imagining positive innovation through action. Simply showing that this type of solution-based project is possible opens pathways to a brighter future.”
Wolfe added: “I’m constantly thinking about how we can take the best of the old and best of the new, bridge the tangible and digital, and reclaim as much as we innovate, and this new eco vinyl feels like a perfect embodiment of this.
“I wrote ‘Oh My Heart’ as a cry for the planet and humanity, and it was recently encoded in glass and included in the Global Music Vault in Svalbard to be preserved for 10,000 years. So I couldn’t think of a better way to have it tangibly out in the world now.”
Eno, who collaborated with Stipe on ‘Future, If Future’, also spoke of the record earlier this year. “I’m very pleased with the way it’s gone. It’s a very good song, a very Stipe song. Beautiful lyrics, extraordinary piece.”
Stereogum features Michael Stipe x Beatie Wolfe's Bioplastic record for EarthPercent
Michael Stipe Releases New Single On First Commercially Available Bioplastic Vinyl
NEWS SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 9:23 AM BY CHRIS DEVILLE11
Way back in 2018, former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe shared a snippet of his first-ever solo song, “Future If Future,” in support of the March For Our Lives. It’s a song about how people have the power to affect positive change on the world, and today it’s being sold on a new eco-friendly form of record designed to counteract the negative environmental impact of vinyl.
As Billboard reports, the skittering, synth-driven “Future If Future” is the first commercially available Bioplastic 12″. It’s a split featuring Beatie Wolfe’s “Oh My Heart” on the B-side. “Future If Future” was produced by Brian Eno, whose environmental charity EarthPercent sold out of a limited run of 500 copies today via Bandcamp.
The British music sustainability organization Evolution Music designed the bioplastic vinyl, which does not include fossil fuels. Specifically, it omits polyvinyl chloride, which Greenpeace calls the “most environmentally damaging” plastic, but can be manufactured on the same presses used for conventional vinyl. “I’m thrilled to be working with EarthPercent and Evolution Music on this release, imagining positive innovation through action,” said Stipe in a statement. “Simply showing that this type of solution-based project is possible opens pathways to a brighter future.”
