Michael Shannon is known for his intense, scene-stealing performances in films like Revolutionary Road, Take Shelter, Knives Out, and The Shape of Water, but it turns out the Oscar-nominated actor has another passion—covering R.E.M. Shannon and musician Jason Narducy (Split Single, Bob Mould) have teamed up to perform R.E.M.’s seminal album Murmur in its entirety, and they sat down with Kyle Meredith With… to talk about bringing the band’s music to life on stage and what it’s like trading scripts for setlists.
The idea to cover Murmur came from Narducy, who pointed out the album’s 40th anniversary in 2023. Shannon admits he was daunted by the suggestion. “It was kind of like saying, ‘Hey, why don’t we paint the Mona Lisa?’” he jokes. But for someone who’s portrayed everything from a ruthless mob boss in Boardwalk Empire to General Zod in Man of Steel, taking on Michael Stipe’s enigmatic vocal style might be one of his more ambitious roles yet.
Both Shannon and Narducy discovered R.E.M. through Document—Shannon via a cousin in Kentucky and Narducy during a Halloween trip to Madison, Wisconsin. But it wasn’t just the music; it was how R.E.M.’s sound captured the essence of the South without fitting into any traditional genre. “It’s Southern music without being any genre of music you associate with the South,” Shannon reflects, drawing parallels between the band’s genre-defying sound and his own eclectic acting choices.
For Shannon, stepping into Stipe’s shoes as vocalist presented unique challenges. Stipe’s early “mumbly” singing style left lyrics open to interpretation. “I’m not sure that [the lyrics] are crystal clear even now,” Shannon admits. He approached it like any role—diving deep into research. “I listened to the record over 100 times and went down the lyric rabbit hole online. But even then, sometimes you just have to make a judgment call.” He even consulted with R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, who told him Stipe often let the lyrics evolve from performance to performance. “That’s brave,” Shannon says. “It wasn’t calculated. He was really digging for something, and sometimes he didn’t know what it was.”
On the musical side, Narducy tackled Peter Buck’s signature jangly guitar work, with tracks like “9-9” posing unexpected hurdles. “Somebody said they looked up videos of the band playing it live, and it was pretty rough every time. That gave me some breathing room,” Narducy jokes.
The duo isn’t stopping at Murmur—they’re also performing Reckoning in some cities and sprinkling in other early R.E.M. gems. “We stay pretty far back in the catalog,” Shannon says. But don’t expect them to dive into the band’s later years. “We don’t want to be a Spotify shuffle playlist,” Shannon quips, showcasing the same dry wit that’s made him a favorite both on-screen and off.
Beyond R.E.M., both artists have busy schedules. Narducy continues to release music with his band Split Single and tours with Bob Mould, while Shannon balances acting projects with occasional music ventures. Though he’s been battling writer’s block when it comes to his own band, Corporal, he hasn’t ruled out a return to music beyond covers. “If the stars align, who knows?” he says.
For now, though, it’s all about celebrating R.E.M. “I was kind of a loner,” Shannon recalls of his youth. “And R.E.M.’s music—it just felt like it was for people like me.” Whether on stage or screen, Shannon has always been drawn to roles—and songs—that leave room for mystery.
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
