REM frontman focuses on Katrina

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe's new EP, which contains six versions of Joseph Arthur's "In The Sun," is designed to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief on America's Gulf Coast. But Stipe told us that he also wants to raise awareness that the need for relief is still there: "I like that we're going to be raising money and all of which will be used in the Gulf region, but beyond that -- actually in my mind more importantly -- is to keep alive for Americans the idea that this is an ongoing disaster and, in fact, possibly more disastrous now, five months later, because so little has been done to help these people."

The EP features a duet version of the song with Coldplay's Chris Martin, which premiered Sunday (February 5th) on the ABC drama Grey's Anatomy. Other versions of the song include a remix by Justin Timberlake and the Black-Eyed Peas' will.i.am, a live rendition with Coldplay from the PBS series Austin City Limits, and a duet version with Arthur himself.

The In The Sun EP is available on iTunes. Proceeds will go to Stipe's In The Sun Foundation, which will in turn donate them to Mercy Corps, an international aid organization.

A short In The Sun film will air on the Sundance Channel in the spring, featuring interviews with several of the musicians as well as hurricane survivors.
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