Just out of the WSB inbox – a news release sent by West Seattleite Keith Bacon announcing an event at Easy Street a week from tonight — a book launch party with two members of R.E.M. in attendance. Read on for the full details:

West Seattle Says “Hello” to R.E.M.

Book Launch Party to Celebrate Local Talent and Legendary Rock Band

West Seattle residents David Belisle and Corianton Hale will be joined by
members of seminal rock band R.E.M. at Easy Street Records on Tuesday,
June 24, to celebrate the release of their collaboration, “R.E.M.:HELLO,” a
new collection of photography published by Chronicle Books. R.E.M. co-
founder and Seattle resident Peter Buck will attend, along with touring band
member Bill Rieflin.

R.E.M. has risen from cult college radio status to sell more than 100 million
records worldwide and be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Released to coincide with their world tour and new album,
“R.E.M.:HELLO” is a gorgeous photo book that captures the band on- and
offstage with rare and intimate access for the first time.

David Belisle has photographed and traveled with R.E.M. for the past seven
years; his dynamic images and insider’s perspective capture the band’s
performances, recording and video sessions, but also reveal its members in
personal spaces that only the band and their closest friends inhabit.
Handwritten captions by the band and an introduction by frontman Michael
Stipe add context and insight to a must-have document for fans.

Belisle’s connection to the band came through his friendship with Bob
Whitaker, a bond formed in West Seattle in the 1980s through their mutual
love of punk and new wave. Whitaker later became R.E.M.’s tour manager
and introduced Belisle to the band in 2001 as a potential
photographer/assistant. Seven years later, Belisle is still touring with the
band around the world, taking photos and handling all manner of
responsibilities on the road.

It was another important personal and professional relationship that led
David to his book’s designer, Corianton Hale. The two worked together
frequently throughout Corianton’s six-year tenure at Seattle’s influential
alternative weekly, The Stranger. After winning multiple awards for his
work as Art Director on the newspaper, Corianton set out to broaden his
horizons under his independent venture Sleep Op Projects, launched in 2006
with a focus on web and print. “R.E.M.:HELLO” marks his first book
design.

About the Book
R.E.M.:HELLO
Photographs by David Belisle, Introduction by Michael Stipe
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6510-4
Price: $29.95
Published: June 2008

Chronicle Books is one of the most admired and respected publishing
companies in the U.S., with a reputation for award-winning, innovative
books. The company “continues to challenge conventional publishing
wisdom, setting trends in both subject and format,” with many titles
focusing on fine art in design, art, architecture, and photography.

West Seattle’s Easy Street Records will be hosting the launch party on
Tuesday, June 24, from 7-10 pm with books available for purchase and
signing by David, Corianton, and Peter from 7-8 pm. Easy Street Records is
located at 4559 California Ave SW in the Alaska Junction area of West
Seattle. Phone: (206) 938-EASY.